"Nel blu dipinto di blu" (literally "In the blue painted blue"), popularly known as "Volare" (Italian for the infinitive form of the verb "to fly"), is Domenico Modugno's signature song. It is the only song ever by an Italian artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Domenico Modugno (January 9, 1928 - Lampedusa August 6, 1994) was a twice Grammy Award-winning Italian singer, songwriter, and later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. ... A signature song is the one song (or, in some cases, one of a few songs) that a popular and well-established singer, or band, is most closely identified with, even if they have had success with a variety of songs. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ...

Composition

Written by Domenico Modugno (music and lyrics) and Franco Migliacci (lyrics), "Nel blu dipinto di blu" was presented by Domenico Modugno and Johnny Dorelli at the 1958 Sanremo Music Festival, winning the contest and achieving instant popularity. It was then chosen to represent Italy in the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest and came third. Johnny Dorelli, byname of Giorgio Guidi (bron February 20, 1937) is an Italian actor, singer and showman. ... See also: 1957 in music, other events of 1958, 1959 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 28 - Little Richard begins attending classes at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama February 14 - The Iranian government bans rock & roll because they claim that the form... Sanremo Music Festival (Festival della canzone italiana), running since 1951, is an Italian popular song contest held annually (first part of March) in Sanremo. ... The Eurovision Song Contest 1958 was the third Eurovision Song Contest and was held on March 12, 1958 in Hilversum, Netherlands. ...

The song is a ballad in a dramatic chanson style, in which Modugno describes the feeling he has (which he likens to flying) when with his lover.

The English lyrics were written by Mitchell Parish. Mitchell Parish (July 10, 1900 – March 31, 1993) was an American lyricist. ...

At Eurovision

The song was performed first on the night (preceding the Netherlands' Corry Brokken with Heel De Wereld). At the close of voting, it had received 13 points, placing 3rd in a field of 10. Corry Brokken (b. ... Heel De Wereld (English translation: The Whole World) was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1958, performed in Dutch by Corry Brokken. ...

It was succeeded as Italian representative at the 1959 Contest by "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)", also performed by Modugno. Italy participated in the Eurovision Song Contest every year from 1956-1997, except 1981-1982, 1986, and 1994-1996. ... The Eurovision Song Contest 1959 was the fourth Eurovision and was held on March 11, 1959 in Cannes, France. ... Piove (Ciao, Ciao Bambina) (English translation: Its Raining (Bye, Bye Baby)) was the Italian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959, performed in Italian by Domenico Modugno. ...

Popularity

The song became widely known as "Volare", from its refrain, and reached the top of the charts all over the world through translations into various languages: "Dans le bleu du ciel bleu", France (translated by Jacques Larue in 1958); "En el azul del cielo", Spain; "Jouw ogen", Belgium; "Taivaan sinessä", Finland; "Azul pintado de azul", Mexico, Argentina, Brazil. A refrain (from the Old French refraindre to repeat, likely from Vulgar Latin refringere) is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the chorus of a song. ...

A year after the Eurovision the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held, and Modugno received awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Billboard magazine also awarded Modugno a prize for best song of the year, and he received three gold records from the recording industry: best singer, best song, best-seller album. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Song of the Year is one of the two most prestigious awards in the Grammies, if not in all of the American music industry. ... For the UK music award, see The Record of the Year. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with RIAA certification. ...

The song's popularity endures, and it was voted as the second favourite entry in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest at the 50th anniversary concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2005. For other uses, see Copenhagen (disambiguation). ...

The song has been covered dozens of times over the years. Versions were quickly recorded after the initial success - partly in English, partly in Italian - by The McGuire Sisters and Dean Martin. Mitchell Parish also prepared lyrics in English. Bobby Rydell had a top-ten hit with it in the summer of 1960. A Spanish version (partly in Italian) was recorded by the Gipsy Kings. // In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... The McGuire Sisters The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio in American popular music. ... Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti, June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an Italian-American singer, film actor, and comedian. ... Mitchell Parish (July 10, 1900 – March 31, 1993) was an American lyricist. ... Bobby Rydell 1998 Bobby Rydell (born Robert Louis Ridarelli, 26 April 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American teen idol from the early days of Rock and Roll. ... See also: 1959 in music, other events of 1960, 1961 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 14 - Elvis Presley is promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army February 6 - Songwriter Jesse Belvin dies in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, California. ... The Gipsy Kings are a group from Arles and Montpellier in France. ...

Sergio Franchi sang the song, with modified lyrics, as the television spokesman for the Plymouth Volaré in the 1970s. Sergio Franchi (April 6, 1926 – 1990) was an Italian tenor. ... The Dodge Aspen (model years 1976–1980) was a midsize car from Chrysler Corporations Dodge division; its badge-engineered counterpart was the Plymouth Volaré. It was launched as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a unique-for-the-segment station wagon. ...

It has even been used in a 2004 Arby's TV commercial. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Arbys is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triarc. ...

A version was used by fans of Arsenal to serenade the midfielder Patrick Vieira, and Manchester United fans have created versions for cult heroes Diego Forlan and Nemanja Vidic, as well as a parody of Arsenal's song for Vieira, mocking the midfielder's error in the 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final replay which led to Ryan Giggs' famous extra-time winner. Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Patrick Donalé Vieira (born June 23, 1976 in Dakar, Senegal)[1] is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Internazionale Milano. ... Manchester Uniteds emblem Manchester United F.C. (often abbreviated to Man United or just Man U, pronounced man-yoo) is an English football club based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. ... Diego Forlan (born May 19, 1979) is a Uruguayan footballer. ... Nemanja Vidic(Born November 21, 1981) is a footballer from Serbia and Montenegro. ... Patrick Donalé Vieira (born June 23, 1976 in Dakar, Senegal)[1] is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Internazionale Milano. ... Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE[1] (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973 in Ely, Cardiff) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Manchester United in the English Premiership, and formerly for the Welsh national team prior to his retirement from international football on 2 June 2007. ...

It is also present in the video game Counter-Strike, within the map "cs_italy". Counter-Strike (CS) is a popular team-based mod of Valves first-person shooter (FPS) Half-Life. ...

When former New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca would bat at Shea Stadium, a small snippet of the song would play. Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964-2008) Citi Field (2009- ) (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963... Paul Anthony Lo Duca(born 4/12/72 Brooklyn,NY) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. ...

At RFK Stadium the phrase "Volare" is played over the PA system during Washington National games when the opposing pitcher throws over to first base (to check the runner).

In the first season of "Quantum Leap" in the episode Double Identity the title character Dr. Sam Beckett is shown singing the song.

Domenico's Modugno's recording of this song was the first Grammy winner for Record of the Year (1958). It is also the very first, and so far, only foreign-language recording (sung entirely in Italian) to take this top honor.

Quotations

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, creators of ABBA’s "Waterloo", voted as the "all time favourite song of the Eurovision Song Contest" said when they received the prize ("Volare" came second):^[1] Image:Benny Andersson. ... Björn Kristian Ulvaeus (Swedish IPA: ) (born April 25, 1945) is a Swedish musician and composer, most notable as a member of ABBA. Ulvaeus was born in Gothenburg, but as a child he moved with his family to Västervik. ... Abba redirects here. ... Audio sample Info (help· info) Waterloo was the first single from ABBAs second album Waterloo, their first for Epic and Atlantic. ...

"I myself voted for 'Volare' but I am pleased that so many people voted for us"

― Benny Andersson

Recorded versions

• 101 Strings Orchestra
• Adriano Celentano
• Al Martino
• Albano Carrisi
• Alex Chilton
• Alex Prior
• Ambelique
• Andiamo
• André Hazes
• Barney Kessel
• Barry White
• Bill Jennings
• Bobby Rydell
• Brave Combo
• Captain Jack
• Caterina Valente
• Chet Atkins
• Claudio Baglioni
• Cliff Richard
• Connie Francis
• Cortijo
• Cyril Stapleton
• Dalida (as "Dans le bleu du ciel bleu")
• David Bowie
• Dean Martin
• Diego de Cossio
• Domenico Modugno
• Earl Grant
• El Gato's Rhythm Orchestra
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Emilio Pericoli
• Engelbert Humperdinck
• Ferrante & Teicher
• Frank Sinatra
• Frank Zappa
• G4
• Gigi D'Agostino
• Gipsy Kings
• Gipsy Rumba
• Herman Foster
• Hilary Duff
• Hit Crew
• Hugo Montenegro
• Ismael Rivera
• Jerry Vale
• John Arpin
• Joni James
• Jose Marcello and his Orchestra
• Julius LaRosa
• Kirby Stone
• Lionel Hampton
• Lisa Ono
• Louis Armstrong
• Lounge Noir
• Lucho Gatica
• Luciano Pavarotti
• Marco Missinato
• Marino Marini
• Mario Peralta
• Masafumi Akikawa
• Melcochita
• Michael Junior
• Nelson Riddle
• Nino Rossano
• Oleksandr Ponomaryov
• Orchestra Del Sole
• Oscar Peterson
• Petty Booka
• Petula Clark
• Ray Conniff
• Real Orquesta Filarmonica de Madrid
• Richard Clayderman
• Richie Cole
• Robert Wuhl (From the movie Hollywood Knights)
• Roger Williams
• Rosario E I Giaguari
• Russell Watson
• Sergio Franchi
• Son Boricua
• Stefano Bollani
• Taxi Gang
• The Ames Brothers
• The Chelsea Strings
• The Jive Aces
• The McGuire Sisters
• The Platters
• The Romantic Strings
• The Sicilians
• The Starlite Singers
• Thomas Anders
• Tiziana Ghiglioni
• Trini Lopez
• Violines de Pego
• Vitamin C
• Wayne Newton
• Willy Alberti
• Youth Brigade
• 張菲, A Singer/TV Host from Taiwan

Promotional copy of first 101 Strings album, 1957. ... Adriano Celentano (born January 6, 1938) is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, and TV host. ... Al Martino (born Alfred Cini, October 7, 1927, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an Italian-American singer and actor. ... Albano Carrisi (born May 20, 1943) is an Italian singer. ... Alex Chilton, circa 1999 Photo: Aimeé Toledano Alex Chilton (born William Alexander Chilton, on December 28, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer best known for his work with the pop-music bands the Box Tops and Big Star. ... Alex Prior (born in 1992 in the United Kingdom) is a composer and conductor. ... Statue of André Hazes in Amsterdam André Hazes (June 30, 1951 - September 23, 2004) was a Dutch singer. ... Cover of a Barney Kessel album. ... Barry Eugene White (born Barrence Eugene Carter, September 12, 1944) – July 4, 2003) was a Grammy Award winning American record producer, songwriter and singer responsible for the creation of numerous hit soul and disco songs. ... Bill Jennings (born June 28, 1917 in Toronto, Ontario) is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 108 games in the National Hockey League. ... Bobby Rydell 1998 Bobby Rydell (born Robert Louis Ridarelli, 26 April 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American teen idol from the early days of Rock and Roll. ... Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. ... This article is about the German band. ... The two faces of Caterina Valente: lady and tomboy. ... Chet Atkins Chester Burton Chet Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001) was an influential guitarist and record producer. ... Claudio Baglioni is an Italian musician. ... Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940) is an English singer, actor and businessman. ... Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as Whos Sorry Now?, Where The Boys Are, and Everybodys Somebodys Fool. She is known to have one of the most distinct voices in the... It has been suggested that Olympia 74 be merged into this article or section. ... David Bowie (pronounced ) (born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, producer, arranger, and audio engineer. ... Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti, June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an Italian-American singer, film actor, and comedian. ... Domenico Modugno (January 9, 1928 - Lampedusa August 6, 1994) was a twice Grammy Award-winning Italian singer, songwriter, and later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. ... Earl Grant (January 20, 1931 - June 11, 1970) was an American easy listening pianist, Hammond organist, and vocalist popular in the 1950s and 60s Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Grant was gifted with keyboard skills and a fine singing voice. ... Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella and the First Lady of Song, is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Ferrante & Teicher were one of the most successful easy listening acts of the 1960s and 1970s, known for their light arrangements of familiar classical pieces, movie soundtracks, and show tunes. ... Sinatra redirects here. ... Frank Vincent Zappa[1] (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, musician, and film director. ... G4 are a vocal troupe made famous by The X-Factor television programme. ... // Early Career Gigi DAgostino (born 17 December 1967, Torino, Italy) is a DJ, remixer and music producer. ... The Gipsy Kings are a group from Arles and Montpellier in France. ... Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, producer, fashion designer, and spokesperson. ... Hugo Montenegro (September 2, 1925 - February 6, 1981) was an American composer of film soundtracks. ... Ismael Rivera a. ... Jerry Vale (b. ... John Arpin is a Canadian composer, recording artist and entertainer. ... Joni James on the cover of her 2002 collection Platinum & Gold: The MGM Years Joni James (born Giovanna Carmella Babbo, on September 22, 1930) is an American singer of traditional pop music. ... Julius La Rosa (born January 2, 1930) was a pop singer, specializing in traditional pop music. ... Lionel Hampton with George W. Bush Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908, Louisville, Kentucky – August 31, 2002 New York City), was a jazz bandleader and percussionist. ... Lisa Ono (小野リサ, Ono Risa) is a popular Japanese bossa nova singer. ... Louis[1] Armstrong[2] (4 August 1901[3] – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo[4] and Pops, was an American jazz musician. ... Luis Gatica (born 1928), better known in show business as Lucho Gatica, is a famous bolero singer from Chile. ... Luciano Pavarotti performing on June 15, 2002 at a concert in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI[1] (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) was a celebrated Italian tenor in operatic music, who successfully crossed into popular music becoming one of the most... Marino Marini (1901- 1980) was a twentieth-century Italian sculptor. ... Masafumi Akikawa ) is a Japanese tenor singer. ... Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, O.Ont. ... Petty Booka is a music group that consists of two women playing ukelele. ... Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932), is an English singer, actress and composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits of the 1960s. ... Ray Conniff Ray Conniff (born Joseph Raymond Conniff on November 6, 1916 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA, and died October 12, 2002, Escondido, California, USA) was an American musician. ... Richard Clayderman (born Philippe Pagès on December 28, 1953, Paris, France) is a French pianist who has released numerous albums, including renditions and arrangements of popular music, French chansons, and popular piano works of Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart. ... Richard Cole (born July 15, 1983) is an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League. ... Robert Wuhl (born October 9, 1951) is a comedian turned actor/writer. ... Roger Williams (born October 1, 1924) is one of the most popular pianists in American popular music history. ... Russell Watson (born 24 November 1966 is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. ... Sergio Franchi (April 6, 1926 – 1990) was an Italian tenor. ... Stefano Bollani is a jazz pianist born in Milan on December 5, 1972. ... The Ames Brothers were a singing quartet from Malden, Massachusetts who were particularly famous in the 1950s for their traditional pop music hits. ... Ian Clarkson plays trumpet at Jive Aces gig as part of Edinburgh Swing Festival, July 2006 The Jive Aces are a swing and jazz band based in the United Kingdom. ... The McGuire Sisters The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio in American popular music. ... The Platters were a successful vocal group of the early rock and roll era. ... Thomas Anders (born Bernd Weidung, 1 March 1963, in Münstermaifeld, Germany) is a German singer, composer and record producer. ... Trini Lopez (born May 15, 1937) is a Mexican-American singer and guitarist. ... Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick (born July 20, 1980[1] in Old Bridge, New Jersey) is an American pop music singer, dancer and actress, better known by her stage name, Vitamin C. Her hits include Smile, As Long As Youre Loving Me, Graduation (Friends Forever) (which reached #38 on the Billboard... Carson Wayne Newton (born April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. ... Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups. ... Poor Little Fool is a popular song. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... This is a list of number-one songs in the United States during the year 1958 according to Billboard magazine. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... is the 236th day of the year (237th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... Little Star is the name of a song recorded by The Elegants. ... The Elegants is a doo-wop band that was started in 1958 by Vito Picone, Arthur Venosa, Frank Tardogano, Carmen Romano and James Mochella in South Beach, Staten Island. ... All Shook Up is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley. ... Elvis redirects here. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or albums performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. ... Jan. ... For other uses of the name, see Battle of New Orleans (disambiguation). ... Johnny Horton (April 30, 1925 – November 4, 1960) was an American country music singer who was most famous for his semi-folk, so-called saga songs. With them, he had several major crossover hits, most notably in 1959 with The Battle of New Orleans which won the 1960 Grammy Award...

References

1. ^ Congratulation - 50 years of the Eurovision Song Contest

External links

• Song details from Eurovision Song Contest 1958
• Web Karaoke with Italian lyrics
• Karaoke version by the Gipsy Kings (in Flash)