Stonate is the plural feminine form of stonato, meaning "out of tune" or "off-key." It's a vivid and somewhat unusual word to feature so prominently in a song title and lyrics.
In "Canzoni Stonate" (Out-of-Tune Songs), Andrea Bocelli uses this word to describe not just the imperfect singing of friends, but also perhaps the imperfect, yet heartfelt, nature of their shared memories and emotions. It adds a touch of endearing realism and nostalgia to the song.
"Canzoni Stonate" ("Off-Key Songs") is a warm, nostalgic tribute to old friendship. Andrea Bocelli sings to a friend who has moved away or drifted apart, remembering the simple evenings they used to share.
The verses paint small, specific memories: singing together at home after a few drinks, a fishing trip to the lake, humming an American song softly on a train ride home. None of it is grand. That's the point — the friendships that matter most are built on ordinary moments, not big occasions.
The chorus gives the song its title: the "off-key songs" with "always slightly wrong" words are treasured precisely because they're imperfect. They're not performances for anyone else — just friends singing badly together and loving every minute of it. The line "close your eyes and maybe you can still hear us from there" suggests these memories can reach across distance, even years later.
Stevie Wonder's feature adds another layer: two artists from very different musical worlds meeting on the same simple idea — that friendship, and the messy, off-key songs that come with it, are worth remembering long after the evening ends.
Andrea Bocelli, born on September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, Italy, is one of the world’s most celebrated tenors. Blind since the age of 12, Bocelli’s powerful voice and emotive performances have captivated audiences worldwide, blending opera with pop in a unique classical crossover style.
He rose to fame after winning the newcomers' section of the 1994 Sanremo Music Festival with "Il mare calmo della sera". Since then, Bocelli has recorded 15 studio albums and sold over 90 million records globally, with hits like "Con te partirò" becoming timeless classics. Honored with awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his remarkable journey combines passion, resilience, and extraordinary musical talent.