VOLARE

"Nel blu dipinto di blu" ("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's recording of this song was the first Grammy winner for Record of the Year (1958). It is also the only foreign-language recording (sung entirely in Italian) to take this top honor. In addition, the song was Billboard's #1 single for 1958. It is one of only three "one-hit wonders" to become single of the year in the history of Billboard's Hot 100 (followed by 1962's "Stranger On The Shore" by Mr. Acker Bilk; and, 2006's "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter).

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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: "Воларе (Volare)" in Russian by Sofia Rotaru[1]; "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 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.

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.

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When ABBA’s "Waterloo," was voted as the "all time favourite song of the Eurovision Song Contest" (Volare came second), the creators Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, said when they received the prize

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

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Volare, oh oh, cantare, oh oh oh oh
Let's fly way up to the clouds, away from the maddening crowds
We can sing in the glow of a star that i know of
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind
Just like bird of a feather, a rainbow together we'll find
Volare, oh oh, e contare, oh oh oh oh
No wonder my happy heart sings
Your love has given me wings
Penso che un sogno cosi non ritorni mai piu
Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu
Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito
E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito

Volare, oh oh, e contare, oh oh oh oh
Nel blu, dipinto di blu, felice di stare lassu
E volavo, volavo felice piu in alto del sole ed ancora piu su
Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva lontano laggiu
Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me
Volare, oh oh, e cantare, oh oh oh oh
No wonder my happy heart sings, your love has given me wings
Nel blu, dipinto di blu, felice di stare lassu

(this is the english version)
Sometimes the world is a valley of heartaches and tears,
And in the hustle and bustle, no sunshine appears,
But you and i have our love always there to remind us
There is a way we can leave all the shadows behind us.
Volare, oh, oh! cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Let's fly way up in the clouds,away from the maddening crowds
We can sing in the glow of a star that i know of
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind
Just like birds of a feather, a rainbow together we'll find
Volare, oh, oh! cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
No wonder my happy heart sings, your love has given me wings
Your love has given me wings, your love has given me wings

(this is the italian version)
Penso che un sogno cosþ non ritorni mai pi-
Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu
Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito
E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito
Volare, oh, oh! cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Nel blu, dipinto di blu, felice di stare lass-
E volavo, volavo felice pi- in alto del sole ed ancora pi- su
Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva lontano laggi-
Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me
Volare, oh, oh! cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Nel blu, dipinto di blu, felice di stare lass-
Nel biu, dipinto di blu, felice di stare lass