Remember Nena and her unforgettable, catchy 80’s song “99 Red Balloons” (or the German version “99 Luft Balloons”)?
Well, take a little bit of Nena, throw in Janis Joplin-like raspy vocals, Italian lyrics and a boatload of melody, and you’ll get…Gianna Nannini.
Who?
Many in the U.S. likely haven’t heard of this popular Italian singer-songwriter, but if you’re a fan of melodic music like me — no matter the artist, genre or language — you (and your ears) will definitely relish getting to know her.
Gianna Nannini Meravigliosa Creatura
Nannini’s passionate vocals are exemplified in her 1995 song, and my personal favorite, “Meravigliosa Creatura.” (The song title’s English translation is “Wonderful Creature” for those of you wondering.) It’s from her album titled Dispetto.
Language lesson aside, if you enjoy quality mid-tempo songs that only slow down to crescendo into an unforgettable anthemic chorus, you’ll want to hear it.
You can preview and download “Meravigliosa Creatura” here:
Amazon MP3 / iTunes
If you’re hearing this song for the first time, or have heard it before, you absolutely have to check out this beautiful, acoustic version — it features only piano, strings, and a very emotional vocal performance by Nannini.
Similar to A-ha’s acoustic version of “Take On Me,” it’s captivating.
You can preview the “Meravigliosa Creatura” acoustic version and download it here: Amazon MP3 / iTunes
The wonderful thing about good music is you don’t need to understand a single word — the passion and melodies still shine through and are just as satisfying.
More Gianna Nannini Songs
Nannini’s body of work is vast, and she continues to make music and tour.
One of her most popular hits would be the 1986 song “Bello e impossibile,” another catchy tune worth a listen. (You can preview “Bello e impossibile” and download it here: Amazon MP3 / iTunes)
One Nannini song definitely worth exploring (especially if you’re a fan of glam rock) goes back nearly four decades to 1979. The song is titled “America,” and you’d be forgiven if you mistakenly thought for a moment that the song’s opening was either Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone” or Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” (brilliantly remade by Mott the Hoople).
As with other Nannini songs, the memorable hooks and attitude are prevalent…and a guilty pleasure to my nostalgic mind’s taste in music:
If you’ve never heard of Gianna Nannini, the song “Meravigliosa Creatura” or any of her other music, I think you will delight in discovering this hidden gem. Enjoy!
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