Toto Cutugno and his eternal music

Sometimes logic gives way to the paradoxes of show business. Toto Cutugno – a beloved figure for millions, a man whose melodies became the soundtrack of the Italian soul – strangely enough, wasn’t always recognized in his homeland. Music critics often tore him apart in reviews. They wrote all sorts of things about him: “a writer of monotonous hits,” “a voiceless singer,” “a talentless composer”… But Cutugno never engaged in arguments. He responded the way a true star should – not with sharpness, but with dignity. “Yes, I don’t have an exceptional voice,” he would say with the sincerity that made people love him.

His fine sense of style and unique worldview allowed Toto Cutugno to intuitively find the right words and melodies – and that’s why his songs resonated with such a wide audience.

A passion for music – above all

Although his father enjoyed playing the trumpet, Toto’s family didn’t immediately support his dream of a big stage – Toto had to pave the path himself. His parents chose a more practical path for him, and instead of a music education, he received a diploma in accounting. Luckily, a career in an office remained only a theory – music took over.

Temporarily setting aside the drum kit he had played since the age of seven, Toto began to delve into jazz and refined his skills on the piano. This became a crucial stage in his musical development. 

The beginning of his career

At 19 years old, Toto Cutugno went on tour for the first time with the jazz ensemble of Guido Manusardi. This was the beginning of his journey onto the big stage. Inspired by this debut, he created his own group called Toto e Tati.

Without thinking too much about repertoire, the band began by covering popular hits, and within a few years, they toured almost all of Italy. During one of these performances, famous Italian poet Vito Pallavicini noticed Toto. Impressed by the young musician’s talent, he invited him to his studio. This became the start of a new chapter – their creative partnership turned out to be fateful: it led to Toto’s first hits and opened the doors to fame.

Soon, well-known artists such as Joe Dassin, Adriano Celentano, Mireille Mathieu, and others began performing his songs. 

A time of change

Toto Cutugno held his place on the wave of success until a turning point came in his life. A personal tragedy left a deep mark: after a forced pregnancy termination and a diagnosis of infertility, the artist withdrew into himself. Increasingly, he sought solace not in music but in a glass of alcohol. This period became the most difficult for Toto – a time of inner battles, where pain eventually gave way to new strength.

Friends came to his aid. They suggested he disband his old group and rebrand with a new name, and then, with fresh energy, aim for Italy’s top music competition: the Sanremo Festival. Following their advice, Toto, with a new band called Albatros, took third place, and their song “Volo AZ504” broke records.

But the success of this group didn’t last long. A year later, after placing fifth, Cutugno decided to disband the group once again. Concerts became fewer, his songs began to fade, and a key turning point of that time was a falling-out with Pallavicini. 

But once again, friends came to the rescue. Adriano Celentano, then starring in “The Taming of the Scoundrel”, offered Toto a chance to write music for the film. The soundtrack was a resounding success. The new song “Donna Donna Mia” topped French and Italian charts for over a month.

In 1980, Toto performed at the Sanremo Festival for the first time as a solo artist and won first place. That same year, he also took home the Grand Prix at a music contest in Tokyo. 

Lasciatemi cantare…

The legendary L’Italiano – a song instantly recognizable from the opening line Lasciatemi cantare, became the singer’s signature piece. Originally written for Adriano Celentano, he declined to perform it. At the time, Celentano had no idea what he was giving up. In 1983, Cutugno decided to perform it himself at the Sanremo Festival, but the jury only awarded it fifth place.

However, the public had the final say: “L’Italiano” became an instant hit. It was the birth of a true anthem for the Italian soul – a song in which every note contains passion, irony, and an unshakable pride in being Italian. 

Over the years, Toto Cutugno became not just an artist but a true ambassador of Italian culture around the world. He wrote for a wide range of artists, continued releasing albums, toured globally, and consistently played to sold-out audiences. His concerts were conversations with the audience – sincere, open, and heartfelt.

His victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990 solidified his status as an international star. And decades later, his legendary “L’Italiano” continues to be heard – in cafés, on the radio, and in the hearts of millions. Because it is one of those songs that transcends time.

On August 23, 2023, the maestro left this world, but his melodies stayed with us. And perhaps that is the true definition of immortality — when your songs continue to be sung, and therefore, you continue to live.