Jukebox italiano

Remember the days when teens gathered around the jukebox, rather than burying their heads in phones? It was the time they became consumers – and could buy happiness for 50 Italian liras, as screamer (i.e., early rocker) Adriano Celentano sung in 1959 – but they were still fully immersed in real, rather than virtual, social interactions (anybody out there whose parents or grandparents first met next to a jukebox?).

To bring you back to those days, we’ve put together a selection of Italian songs you’d find in an Italian jukebox from the late 50s/early 60s, in genres ranging from pop and swing to rock ‘n’ roll, yé-yé, surf music, and many others. Just put your coin in and pick your favorite tune!

If you’re looking for a charming and witty take on happiness, where better to start than with a jazzy, swingy 1959 tune called “Ho tutto per essere felice” (I have everything to be happy)? Sung by Joe Sentieri, one of Italy’s classiest screamers alongside Domenico Modugno and Tony Dallara, it was written and finely orchestrated by no other than the great Piero Umiliani. In the same year, Sentieri also released “Mister Juke Box”, a mid-tempo doo-wop song that shows how Italian musicians reshaped imported genres – in this case, American rock ‘n’ roll – into a specifically local version based on the nation’s tastes and cultural traditions.

Another adorable example of genre appropriation and innovation is the (domestically) uber-famous “Le mille bolle blu”, originally presented by singer Jenny Luna at the Sanremo song contest in 1961 together with Italian superstar Mina. Here, Brazilian and exotic influences are filtered through and enriched by typically Italian orchestral and melodic elements. And while tracks like “C’era la luna” and “Sole Mio Thank You” certainly owe much to Françoise Hardy and French yé-yé music, regional Italian traditions underpin “Surf Capitolino” – a sunny, brilliant blend of Roman folk and surf rock – and “Maria Ye Ye”, which combines Neapolitan folk with tropical samba.

Last but not least, a retro, Charleston-esque vibe clearly surfaces in the sparkly and pre-politically correct “Voglio dimagrire” (I want to slim down), probably via Brigitte Bardot’s songs in the same 20s and 30s style, while the delicious “Cic Ciac” gives more than a nod to Hollywood musicals and tap dancing.

So… have you picked your favorite yet?