"Vacanze romane" (transl. "Roman holidays") is a 1983 single composed by Aldo Stellita (lyrics, even if credited to Giancarlo Golzi)[1] and Carlo Marrale (music) and performed by Matia Bazar. The song premiered at the 33rd edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, where it ranked fourth, winning the critic's award.[2] It eventually became one of the band's signature songs.[3]
Background
The band, which in 1981 had undergone the first line-up change in its history with the departure of Piero Cassano and the entry of Mauro Sabbione, starting from the 1982 album ...Berlino ...Parigi ...Londra had turned its style towards a decidedly electro-pop sound, with tepid reception from critics and public alike.[1] Eager for a relaunch, they decided to participate in the Sanremo Music Festival (already won by the band in 1978), but their first choice, "Palestina" ("Palestine"), was rejected on political grounds.[1] They then opted for "Vacanze romane", a song characterized by the meeting of apparently antithetical sound elements, i.e. the classical melody and the retro feel given by Antonella Ruggiero's vocal performance versus the electronic arrangements.[2][3]
Lyrics
Starting from its title (a reference to the 1953 William Wyler's film Roman Holiday) the song is a melancholic hommage to Rome, from the point of view of the unmatched splendour it had reached and that had lost through the time.[2]
Track listing
- 7" single (AR/00943)
- "Vacanze romane" (Aldo Stellita, Carlo Marrale)
- "Palestina" (Mauro Sabbione, Aldo Stellita)
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[4] | 1 |
References
- ^ a b c Pezzi, Davide (10 July 2022). "Matia Bazar, la storia di "Vacanze romane"". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Parrella, Andrea (6 February 2020). "La storia di Vacanze romane, capolavoro dei Matia Bazar a Sanremo 1983". Fanpage (in Italian). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ a b Dario Salvatori (2001). "Vacanze romane". Dizionario delle canzoni italiane. Elle U. p. 367. ISBN 8888169016.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "Vacanze romane".
