L'italiano - Toto Cutugno Video Ufficiale Apr 2026

Toto Cutugno wrote the song in 1982 after a massive concert in Toronto, Canada . Inspired by the sea of Italian emigrants in the audience, he wanted to create a tribute to his people and their heritage.

Cutugno eventually performed it himself at the 33rd Sanremo Music Festival in 1983. Although it only placed fifth in the competition, it won the public vote and became a massive international commercial success. Lyric Themes & Cultural Imagery

The song was originally written for Adriano Celentano , but Celentano famously turned it down, feeling the lyrics—specifically the claim "I am a true Italian"—sounded too boastful for him to sing.