**“L’italiano” bursts out like a sunny postcard from Italy, where Toto Cutugno proudly waves the tricolore and invites the whole world to shout Buongiorno Italia! He strings together a colorful collage of instantly recognizable images—spaghetti al dente, caffè ristretto, a chirping canary on the windowsill, Sunday soccer on TV, and even the trusty old Fiat 600 parked outside. With his guitar in hand, Cutugno turns these snapshots into a sing-along celebration of everyday life, tapping into that uniquely Italian mix of joy, style, and a hint of sweet melancholy in Maria’s “eyes full of nostalgia.”
Below the catchy chorus lies a bigger message: identity and pride. Cutugno is not boasting about grand monuments; he is honoring the small rituals and warm traditions that make an “italiano vero” (“a true Italian”). By greeting God, Maria, and the whole country in the same breath, he reminds listeners that belonging is both personal and shared. The song encourages you to strum along, smile at the simple pleasures, and feel proud of wherever you come from—because, as Cutugno shows, national pride can be as comforting and genuine as a slow, heartfelt melody played piano piano.
Salvatore "Toto" Cutugno (1943–2023) was a celebrated Italian singer-songwriter, musician, and television presenter known worldwide for his iconic song "L'Italiano". Born in Tuscany, he began his musical journey as a drummer and went on to enjoy a prolific career spanning over five decades, selling more than 100 million records globally.
Cutugno won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990 with his original song "Insieme: 1992", a powerful ballad celebrating European unity. Renowned as "one of the most successful Italian songwriters of all time," he wrote hits for many artists and remains a symbol of Italian melody cherished by fans around the world.