Learn Italian With Music
Learn Italian With Music
LF Content Team | Updated on 02 March 2023
Learning Italian with music and song lyrics is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Italian!
Below are many song recommendations to get you started learning! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning Italian with music!
Contents Summary
Rock
Ballad
Dancehall
Pop
Dance
Alternative
Rock
1. ZITTI E BUONI (Eurovision 2021 Italy) (BE QUIET AND GOOD)
Måneskin
Loro non sanno di che parlo
Vestiti sporchi, fra', di fango
Giallo di siga' fra le dita
Io con la siga' camminando
They don't know what I'm talking about
Dirty clothes, bro, of mud
Yellow of cig between the fingers
Me with the cig walking
ZITTI E BUONI by Måneskin is a song about standing up for yourself and being proud of who you are, despite the criticism of others. The lyrics describe a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, with the singer and their peers being "out of their minds" but different from those who judge them. The chorus encourages listeners to stay quiet and be good, and to not let the opinions of others bring them down. The song is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance and resilience.
2. ZITTI E BUONI (BE QUIET AND GOOD)
Måneskin
Loro non sanno di che parlo
Vestiti sporchi, fra', di fango
Giallo di siga' fra le dita
Io con la siga' camminando
They don't know what I'm talking about
Dirty clothes, bro, of mud
Yellow of cig between the fingers
Me with the cig walking
In "ZITTI E BUONI," Måneskin encourages not being swayed by the opinions of others and staying true to oneself. The lyrics describe the life of someone living in a challenging environment, but who doesn't let themselves be discouraged and continues to fight for their goals. The song encourages not being intimidated by criticism and remaining strong and determined, because in the end it will be one's inner strength that makes a difference.
3. CORALINE
Måneskin
Dimmi le tue verità, Coraline, Coraline
Dimmi le tue verità, Coraline, Coraline
Dimmi le tue verità, Coraline, Coraline
Dimmi le tue verità, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Måneskin sings about a girl named Coraline who is struggling with anxiety and grief. She is described as being beautiful, with red hair like roses and a strong, passionate heart. However, she is also depicted as feeling the pain of others and carrying it within herself. The lyrics suggest that she feels trapped and wants to escape, but is held back by a "monster" that lays mines in her path and keeps her in a cage. Despite her struggles, the singer offers her support and tells her that she can grow and move on, but Coraline is too consumed by her anxiety and sadness to do so. The singer offers to be a source of strength and comfort for Coraline, asking for nothing in return except a smile and some time together. The lyrics at the end tell us that the reason for Coraline's struggles is because she has 'lost the fruit of her womb'.
Ballad
1. Brividi (Shivers)
Mahmood, BLANCO
Ho sognato di volare con te
Su una bici di diamanti
Mi hai detto sei cambiato non vedo
Più la luce nei tuoi occhi
I dreamed of flying with you
On a diamond bike
You told me you changed I don't see
Anymore the light in your eyes
In "Brividi" by Mahmood, the singer expresses his frustration in not being able to express his feelings and not being able to find a way out of the situation he finds himself in. The lyrics talk about how he and his partner have grown apart, and how he has been left naked and shivering, unable to express what he feels. The singer tries to find a way to get away, even if it means accepting a lie, but in the end he stays there, on a diamond bike, naked and shivering.
2. Brividi (Eurovision 2022 Italy) (Shivers)
Mahmood, BLANCO
Ho sognato di volare con te
Su una bici di diamanti
Mi hai detto sei cambiato non vedo
Più la luce nei tuoi occhi
I've dreamed of flying with you
On a diamond bike
You've told me you changed I don't see
Anymore the light in your eyes
In Brividi, Mahmood explores the difficulty of expressing love and the fear of being vulnerable. He sings of dreaming of flying with someone on a bike of diamonds, and of wanting to love them but always making mistakes. He also speaks of the pain of living in a prison of his own making, and of the poison of the words they exchange every day. Ultimately, he is left feeling exposed and vulnerable, with only his shivers to keep him company.
Dancehall
1. Amore e Capoeira (Love and Capoeira)
Takagi & Ketra, Giusy Ferreri, Sean Kingston
Avevo solo voglia di staccare, andare altrove
Non importa dove, quando, non importa come
Avevo solamente voglia di tirarmi su
Per non pensarti e poi lasciarmi ricadere giù
I just wanted to disconnect, go elsewhere
It doesn't matter where, when, it doesn't matter how
I just wanted to cheer myself up
To not think of you and then let myself fall back down
Takagi & Ketra's song "Amore e Capoeira" is a romantic ode to the joys of life. The lyrics tell the story of a person who is looking for a way to escape their troubles and find a moment of peace. They find solace in the arms of their lover, and the song celebrates the beauty of the moment with references to the Brazilian dance-fighting style of capoeira, cachaça, and a full moon. The chorus of the song encourages listeners to embrace the moment and not worry about the future, as anything can happen when their lover is around.
Pop
1. Grande amore (Great Love)
Il Volo
Chiudo gli occhi e penso a lei
Il profumo dolce della pelle sua
È una voce dentro che mi sta portando
Dove nasce il sole
I close my eyes and think of her
The sweet scent of her skin
It's a voice inside that is carrying me
Where the sun is born
The song "Grande Amore" by Il Volo is about a deep and passionate love that the singer feels for someone. The lyrics describe the intensity of the emotions the singer experiences, with vivid images of the person they love, such as the sweet scent of their skin and the sound of their voice. The singer declares their love openly and passionately, proclaiming that it is the only thing they feel. The lyrics express the fear of losing this love, and the desire for the other person to stay with them forever. The singer believes that this person is their soulmate, and that they will never love anyone else. The song ends with a declaration of eternal love and devotion.
2. Due Vite (Two Lives)
Marco Mengoni
Siamo i soli svegli in tutto l'universo
E non conosco ancora bene il tuo deserto
Forse è in un posto del mio cuore dove il sole è sempre spento
Dove a volte ti perdo, ma se voglio ti prendo
We're the only ones awake in the whole universe
And I don't know still your desert well
Maybe it's in a place in my heart where the sun is always off
Where sometimes I lose you, but if I want I catch you
The song "Due Vite" by Marco Mengoni is about two people who feel alone in the universe, but find solace in each other. The lyrics express their struggles with life's challenges, but also celebrate their connection and the moments they share together. The chorus repeats the phrase "che giri fanno due vite" (what twists two lives take), emphasizing the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present.
3. Voglio ballare con te (I want to dance with you)
Baby K, Dvicio
Faccio un tuffo sotto il sole
Fa già un caldo che si muore
Questa estate non si dorme
Me la bevo come un cocktail
I do a dive under the sun
It's already a heat that kills
This summer we don't sleep
I drink it like a cocktail
In the song "Voglio ballare con te" by Baby K, the artist invites the listener to join her in a summer of fun and freedom, where the days are long and the nights are short. She encourages the listener to take a plunge under the sun, to forget their worries and take in the rhythm of the music. She invites them to take the stars and leave the rest behind, to dance until the sun rises and the colors of the dawn change. She wants to dance with them, to leave everything behind and just enjoy the moment until the sun rises.
4. L'italiano (Italian)
Toto Cutugno
Lasciatemi cantare
Con la chitarra in mano
Lasciatemi cantare
Sono un italiano
Let me sing
With the guitar in hand
Let me sing
I'm an Italian
In the song "L'italiano" by Toto Cutugno, the singer expresses his pride in being an Italian. He celebrates the culture of Italy, from the food to the fashion, and the people, from the president to the artists. He also expresses his love for his homeland, Italy, and its people, Maria, with a sense of nostalgia. He asks to be allowed to sing with his guitar in hand, and to be allowed to sing a song slowly, as he is proud to be an Italian.
5. Caruso
Lucio Dalla
Qui dove il mare luccica
E tira forte il vento
Su una vecchia terrazza
Davanti al golfo di surriento
Here where the sea shines
And the wind blows hard
On an old terrace
In front of the Gulf of Sorrento
Caruso by Lucio Dalla is a song about a man who embraces a girl after she has been crying, and then begins to sing about the power of love and how it can make us feel alive. The song follows the man's journey as he reflects on his life, from the lights of the sea to the nights in America, and ultimately finds solace in the power of love. He sings of how love can make us feel alive, and how it can make us forget our troubles and make life seem small. In the end, he finds peace in the power of love and continues to sing.
6. Torna a casa (Come back home)
Måneskin
Cammino per la mia città ed il vento soffia forte
Mi son lasciato tutto indietro e il sole all'orizzonte
Vedo le case da lontano, hanno chiuso le porte
Ma per fortuna ho la sua mano e le sue guance rosse
I walk around my city and the wind blows hard
I left everything behind and the sun on the horizon
I see the houses from afar, they've closed the doors
But luckily I have her hand and her red cheeks
In "Torna a casa" by Måneskin, the narrator reflects on his journey from a place of darkness and despair to one of hope and redemption. He is accompanied by a woman who has helped him to overcome his struggles and find his way back home. The song is a plea for her to come back home with him, as he is afraid of being alone and losing her. The narrator reflects on the power of love and how it can help us to overcome our fears and find our way back home.
Dance
1. Sarà Perché Ti Amo (It Must Be 'Cause I Love You)
Ricchi e Poveri
Che confusione
Sarà perché ti amo
È un'emozione
Che cresce piano piano
What confusion
It must be 'cause I love you
It's an emotion
That grows slowly slowly
Ricchi e Poveri's song "Sarà perché ti amo" is a romantic ode to the power of love. The lyrics explore the idea that love can make the world seem chaotic and confusing, but that it is ultimately worth it. The song speaks of the joy of being close to someone and the feeling of being in love, and encourages listeners to embrace the chaos and confusion that comes with it.
Alternative
1. Bella Ciao (Beautiful Hello)
Banda Bassotti
Stamattina mi sono alzato
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao
Stamattina mi sono alzato
E ho trovato l'invasor
This morning I got up
Oh beautiful bye, beautiful bye, beautiful bye bye bye
This morning I got up
And I found the invader
Bella Ciao by Banda Bassotti is a song of resistance and freedom, telling the story of a Partisan fighter who is willing to die for the cause of liberty. The lyrics express the Partisan's determination to be buried in the mountains, with a beautiful flower to mark his grave, so that all who pass by will know that he died for freedom.
We have more songs with translations on our website and mobile app. You can find the links to the website and our mobile app below. We hope you enjoy learning Italian with music!
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