“Bastava” means “It would have been enough.” In this heartfelt ballad, Laura Pausini looks back on a love that unraveled for the simplest of reasons. She lists all the tiny gestures that could have saved the relationship: a returning smile, a walk downtown, sharing a little space, speaking the truth even if it was awkward. Each verse feels like a sigh of regret, showing that sometimes colossal heartbreak is born from what we didn’t do rather than what we did. The song unfolds in hotel rooms, city streets, and late-night reflections, painting vivid scenes where two people drift apart while the cure was right at their fingertips.
By repeating the word “Bastava,” Laura hammers home the irony: it was so easy to prevent the damage. The lovers turned misunderstandings into battles and polite manners into emotional distance until their “caresses of war” and “silver tears” signaled defeat. “Bastava” is a poignant reminder that love often survives on small acts of honesty and presence, and when those vanish, even the strongest bond can break.
Laura Pausini (born 16 May 1974 in Faenza, Italy) is a renowned Italian pop singer celebrated for her powerful vocals and heartfelt ballads. She rose to fame in 1993 after winning the newcomer section at the Sanremo Music Festival with her hit song La solitudine, which became an international success and an Italian pop classic.
Since her breakthrough, Laura has released fifteen studio albums and performed in multiple languages including Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide, earning prestigious awards such as a Grammy and a Golden Globe for her original song Io sì (Seen) from the film The Life Ahead. Besides singing, Pausini has appeared as a coach and judge on various international TV music competitions.
Widely regarded as one of Italy's most successful artists, Laura Pausini continues to captivate audiences globally with her emotive performances and commitment to her musical craft.