1990 Italy: Toto Cutugno - Insieme 1992 (1st place at Eurovision Song Contest in Zagreb)

Performed by: Toto Cutugno Music by: Salvatore Cutugno Lyrics by: Salvatore Cutugno Conductor: Gianni Madonini Language: Italian Placing: 1st (149 points) “Insieme: 1992“ (English translation: “Together: 1992“) was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, performed in Italian by Toto Cutugno for Italy, the country’s second victory in the Contest. Cutugno sang about bringing the disparate nations of Europe together. The “1992“ of the title refers to the year in which the European Union was scheduled to begin operation, thus bringing the hope of the lyric to fruition. Cutugno sang the song with a backing group of five singers from Slovenia, the group Pepel In Kri, who represented Yugoslavia in 1975. At the close of voting, it had received 149 points, placing 1st in a field of 22. Toto Cutugno was born in Fosdinovo to a Sicilian father from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and a homemaker mother. Shortly after his birth the family moved to La Spezia (Liguria). He began his musical career as a drummer, but later formed a band that performed his own songs. He also had co-written for popular French-American singer Joe Dassin, contributing some of his most famous songs, including “L’été indien“ (“Africa“), “Et si tu n’existais pas“ and “Le Jardin du Luxembourg“ (written with Vito Pallavicini). He also co-wrote Dalida’s “Laissez moi danser“ (“Voglio l’anima“), which became a Platinum record shortly after its release. In 1976, Cutugno participated for the first time in the Sanremo Music Festival coming up with third place with his band Albatros with the song, Volo 504. He then won in 1980 with the song “Solo noi“. However, Cutugno’s iconic 1983 song “L’italiano“ (“The Italian“) revived Italian folklore with the song’s lyrics and a melody that provided an affirmation of the typical Italian. It was initially intended for Adriano Celentano, who declined. The song was only fifth in Sanremo but was a big hit all over the world. Toto finished second in six editions of Sanremo festival: in 1984 with the song “Serenata“ (“Serenade“), in 1987 with “Figli“ (“Sons“ or “Children“), in 1988 with “Emozioni“ (“Emotions“), in 1989 with the song “Le mamme“ (“Mothers“), in 1990 with Ray Charles with the song “Gli amori“ (“Loves“, but entitled “Good Love Gone Bad“ in Charles’ version) and in 2005 with Annalisa Minetti with the song “Come noi nessuno al mondo“ (“No One Else in the World Like Us“). Toto Cutugno participated in the festival a total of 13 times. Cutugno is married to Carla Cutugno and has a son, Nicolo, born from another relationship. Along with Gigliola Cinquetti, Italy’s only other Eurovision winner from 1964, he presented the 1991 contest, which was staged in Rome as a result of his victory. Lyrics: Insieme, unite, unite, Europe Con te, così lontano e diverso Con te, amico che credevo perso Io e te, sotto lo stesso sogno Insieme, unite, unite, Europe E per te, donna senza frontiere Per te, sotto le stesse bandiere Io e te, sotto lo stesso cielo Insieme, unite, unite, Europe Sempre più liberi noi Non è più un sogno e non sei più da solo Sempre più in alto noi Dammi una mano che prendiamo il volo L’Europa non è lontana C’è una canzone italiana per voi Insieme, unite, unite, Europe Per noi, nel cielo mille violini Per noi, amori senza confini Io e te, sotto gli stessi ideali, mmm... Insieme, unite, unite, Europe Sempre più liberi noi Non è più un sogno e noi non siamo più soli Sempre più uniti noi Dammi una mano e vedrai che voli L’Europa non è lontana C’è una canzone italiana per voi Insieme, unite, unite, Europe Sempre più liberi noi (Sempre più liberi) Le nostre stelle, una bandiera sola Sempre più forti noi (Sempre più forti) Dammi una mano e vedrai si vola L’Europa non è lontana C’è una canzone italiana per voi Insieme, unite, unite, Europe L’Europa non è lontana C’è una canzone italiana per voi Insieme, unite, unite, Europe TRANSLATION: Together: 1992 Together, unite, unite, Europe With you, so far and different With you, a friend that I thougt I lost You and I, having the same dream Together, unite, unite, Europe And for you, a woman without borders With you, under the same flags You and I, under the same sky Together, unite, unite, Europe We’re more and more free It’s no longer a dream and you’re no longer alone We’re higher and higher Give me your hand, so we can fly Europe is not far away This is an Italian song for you Together, unite, unite, Europe For us, in heaven a thousand violins For us, love without borders You and I, having the same ideals, mmm... Together, unite, unite, Europe We’re more and more free It’s no longer a dream and we’re no longer alone We’re uniting more and more Give me your hand and you’ll see you’re flying Europe is not far away This is an Italian song for you Together, unite, unite, Europe We’re more and more free (More and more free) Our stars, one single flag We’re stronger and stronger (Stronger and stronger)