View source for Il mio canto libero (song)

{{short description|1972 song by Lucio Battisti}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Il mio canto libero
| cover      = Lucio Battisti - Il mio canto libero (single).jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Lucio Battisti]]
| album      = [[Il mio canto libero]]
| B-side     = Confusione
| released   = November 1972
| recorded   = Fonorama Studios, [[Milan]]
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = Pop
| length     = 5:09
| label      = Numero Uno
| writer     = Lucio Battisti, [[Mogol (lyricist)|Mogol]]
| producer   = Lucio Battisti
| prev_title = [[I giardini di marzo]]
| prev_year  = 1972
| next_title = [[La collina dei ciliegi]]
| next_year  = 1973
| misc       = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|UtUHEsPfjjE|"Il mio canto libero"}}|type=song}}
}}
"'''Il mio canto libero'''" (''My Free Song'') is a song written by Italian singer-songwriter [[Lucio Battisti]] and lyricist [[Mogol (lyricist)|Mogol]]. The song was recorded by Battisti for [[Il mio canto libero|the album of the same title]], and released as a single in November 1972 for Mogol's recording label Numero Uno.<ref name=DDS>{{Cite web|url=http://discografia.dds.it/scheda_titolo.php?idt=1|publisher=Discografia Nazionale della Canzone Italiana. [[Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Italy)|Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Il mio canto libero/Confusione}}</ref> The song was a commercial success in Italy, topping the ''[[Musica e dischi]]'' singles chart for nine consecutive weeks in 1973 and becoming the third best-selling single of the year.<ref name="ISBN 9788817033923"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_details.php?tipo=2&id=12810|work=[[Musica e dischi]]|language=it|title=Cronologia di: Il mio canto libero di Lucio Battisti|access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> During the following years, it was covered by several artists, and it became a classic of Italian popular music.<ref name="ISBN 1844037177"/> It was certified double platinum by the [[Federation of the Italian Music Industry]] in 2024, for domestic equivalent sales exceeding 200,000 units since 2009.<ref name="cert" />
The front cover of the single is a photograph by Cesare Monti, showing an eye with a white background.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2007/settembre/08/Emozioni_anche_russo_per_ricordare_co_7_070908054.shtml|work=[[Corriere della Sera]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|date=8 September 2007|title=Emozioni anche in russo per ricordare Lucio Battisti
|author=Severino Colombo}}</ref>
==Background and composition==
[[File:Mogol.jpg|thumb|left|Mogol wrote the lyrics of the song, inspired by his relationship with a young woman after his separation from his wife.]]
"Il mio canto libero" was written by Mogol and Battisti, and it was produced by Battisti himself.<ref name=DDS/> As revealed by Mogol after Battisti's death, it was initially proposed to [[Mina (Italian singer)|Mina]], who refused to record the song, because she felt it was not strong enough to become a hit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/clamoroso-quando-mina-rifiut-mio-canto-libero-e-ancora-tu.html |work=[[Il Giornale]] |language=Italian |accessdate=4 August 2013 |title=Clamoroso: quando Mina rifiutò Il mio canto Libero e Ancora tu |date=23 February 2009 |author=Jacopo Granzotto |archivedate=4 August 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130804123543/http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/clamoroso-quando-mina-rifiut-mio-canto-libero-e-ancora-tu.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spettacoli/2005/06_Giugno/28/mogol.shtml|work=[[Corriere della Sera]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Mogol: un braccio alzato per dirigere il coro|author=Aldo Cazzullo|date=28 June 2005}}</ref>
The song deals with individual freedom, describing the feelings of a young couple which faces with hope the difficult moment when they have to start living as adults, while feeling a shared sense of alienation within a society they consider hypocritical.<ref name="ISBN 9788817033923">{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CTFboZfxew4C&pg=PT416|title=Mille canzoni che ci hanno cambiato la vita|author=Ezio Guaitamacchi|date=2009|isbn=9788817033923|page=416|publisher=[[Angelo Rizzoli|Rizzoli]]|language=Italian|chapter=Lucio Battisti - Il mio canto libero}}</ref><ref name="ISBN 1844037177">{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UH_EOUR4tmkC&pg=PT875|title=1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die|author=Robert Dimery|pages=875–876|chapter=Il mio canto libero|date=5 December 2011|publisher=[[Hachette UK]]|isbn=978-1844037179}}</ref> During an interview released in 2009 to the Italian newspaper ''[[Corriere della Sera]]'', Mogol explained that "The Italian society in that years was very [[Conformity|conformist]]. And [in the song] there's a couple which rises up against conventions, claiming a right to individual liberty, a right to love."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/09_giugno_15/mogol_canzone_povia_ipocrisie_cazzullo_af7ae62a-5986-11de-8980-00144f02aabc.shtml|work=[[Corriere della Sera]]|language=Italian|date=15 June 2009|title=Mogol: basta ipocrisie sulla canzone di Povia (la migliore dell'anno)|author=Aldo Cazzullo}}</ref> As revealed by Mogol himself, the song was inspired by Mogol's relationship with a young woman after the end of his marriage, and by his feeling that "at that time, the orthodox disapproved that kind of things."<ref name="ISBN 9788817033923"/>
An English-language version of the song, titled "A Song to Feel Alive", with lyrics adapted by Peter Powell, was also recorded by Battisti and included in his album ''[[Images (Lucio Battisti album)|Images]]'', released in 1977.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://discografia.dds.it/scheda_titolo.php?idt=345|publisher=Discografia Nazionale della Canzone Italiana. [[Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Italy)|Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities]]|language=Italian|title=Lucio Battisti – Images|accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref> Battisti also recorded the song in Spanish, under the title "Mi libre canción",<ref name="ISBN 9788817033923"/> in French, releasing it as a single in 1973 titled "Ma chanson de liberté",<ref name=FrenchVersion>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicalnews.com/articolo.php?codice=25479&sz=2|publisher=Musicalnews.com|language=Italian|accessdate=6 August 2013|title=Lucio Battisti in edicola: dieci interessanti cd con brani noti e rarità|date=29 May 2013|author=Pippo Augliera|archive-date=6 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806125423/http://www.musicalnews.com/articolo.php?codice=25479&sz=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in German, with lyrics penned by [[Udo Lindenberg]], under the title "Unser freies Lied".<ref name=SongsHPI/>
==Cover versions==
[[File:Laura Pausini 2009.04.30 056.jpg|thumb|Laura Pausini recorded the song as a duet with Colombian singer [[Juanes]] in 2006. She also performed it in 2009, as part of the ensemble Amiche per l'Abruzzo.]]
A cover of the song was recorded in 1994 by Italian singer-songwriter [[Cristiano De André]]. His version of the song was included in the compilation album ''Innocenti evasioni'', a tribute to Battisti by various Italian artists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/news-80073/innocenti-evasioni-2006-tributo-a-lucio-battisti-con-ligabue-e-altri|publisher=Rockol.it|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Innocenti evasioni 2006: tributo a Lucio Battisti con Ligabue e altri|date=19 July 2006}}</ref> On the following year, [[José Feliciano]] performed the song during the Italian TV show ''Mina contro Battisti'', a competition between songs originally performed by [[Mina (Italian singer)|Mina]] or Lucio Battisti.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/dicembre/06/Mina_contro_Battisti_sfida_impossibile_co_0_95120610930.shtml|work=[[Corriere della Sera]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Mina contro Battisti, sfida impossibile tra fantasmi|author=Stefania Ulivi|date=6 December 1995}}</ref>
In 2003 the song was covered by the players of the Italian football team [[Juventus FC]] as part of a charity project aimed at raising funds to rebuild the San Gerolamo of Quarto Abbey in [[Genoa]], to accommodate the children hospitalised at the [[Istituto Giannina Gaslini]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/09/16/il-canto-libero-della-juventus-un-cd.html|work=[[la Repubblica]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Il canto libero della Juventus un cd per i bambini del Gaslini|date=16 September 2003}}</ref> The song was performed by the team, together with a children choir, during the [[Sanremo Music Festival]] 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/speciali/sanremo2003/giornoxgiorno/index070303.shtml|work=[[Corriere della Sera]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=53° Festival della Canzone Italiana}}</ref>
In 2006, Italian singer [[Laura Pausini]] covered the song for her album ''[[Io canto]]'', dueting with Colombian recording artist [[Juanes]]. Pausini and Juanes recorded the song both in Italian and Spanish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/vetrina-4104/laura-pausini-io-canto|publisher=Rockol.it|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Laura Pausini – Io canto|date=13 December 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-04-12-2006/abc/Gente/laura-pausini-un-dia-querre-parar-y-dedicarme-a-ser-madre_153288976867.html |language=Spanish |accessdate=4 August 2013 |title=Laura Pausini: Un día querré parar y dedicarme a ser madre |work=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |archivedate=4 August 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130804213238/http://www.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-04-12-2006/abc/Gente/laura-pausini-un-dia-querre-parar-y-dedicarme-a-ser-madre_153288976867.html |author=Ana Asensio |date=4 December 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Italian-language version of the song peaked at number 25 on the [[FIMI]] Top Digital Downloads in November 2006.<ref name="Italian Singles Chart Nov 2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:799 |publisher=[[Federation of the Italian Music Industry]] |language=Italian |accessdate=23 November 2016 |title=Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 47 (dal 2006-11-20 al 2006-11-26) |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20161123222104/http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/year:2015/id:799 |archivedate=23 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 21 June 2009, the song was performed by all the artists involved in the mega-concert ''Amiche per l'Abruzzo'', featuring 55 Italian female singers and organized to raise funds in support of the victims of the [[2009 L'Aquila earthquake]]. The song was chosen as the closing performance after an online poll.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/spettacolo/articoli/articolo452984.shtml|work=[[TGCOM]]|publisher=[[Mediaset]]|language=Italian|date=21 June 2009|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=A San Siro Amiche per l'Abruzzo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/spettacolo/articoli/articolo453113.shtml|work=[[TGCOM]]|publisher=[[Mediaset]]|language=Italian|date=22 June 2009|title=Le sorelle d'Abruzzo e i 55mila fan}}</ref> The live performance was later included in the DVD of the event, released in June 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/dvd-4312/artisti-vari-amiche-per-l-abruzzo|publisher=Rockol.it|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Artisti Vari – Amiche per l'Abruzzo|date=22 June 2010}}</ref>
Spanish singers [[Rosario Flores]] and [[Sergio Dalma]] recorded "Mi libre canción" for their albums ''[[Cuéntame (Rosario Flores album)|Cuéntame]]'' and ''Via Dalma'', in 2009 and 2010, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/v%C3%ADa-dalma-mw0002099732|publisher=[[Allmusic.com]]|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Sergio Dalma – Via Dalma}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cu%C3%A9ntame-mw0001956696|title=Cuéntame – Rosario Flores|author=Mariano Prunes|publisher=[[Allmusic.com]]}}</ref>
The original version of the song was also covered by [[Nathalie (singer)|Nathalie]] during the [[Sanremo Music Festival 2011]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/speciali/sanremo/edizione2011/2011/02/17/news/terza_serata-12591297/|work=[[la Repubblica]]|language=Italian|date=17 February 2011|title=All'Ariston sventola il tricolore. Gli artisti e i brani-nostalgia|author=Alessandra Vitali}}</ref> A studio recording of her version was included in the compilation album ''Nata per unire''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/news-212154/sanremo-2011-esce-nata-per-unire-l-italia-cantata-dagli-artisti-del-festival|publisher=Rockol.it|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Sanremo 2011, esce 'Nata per unire': l'Italia cantata dagli artisti del Festival|date=17 February 2011}}</ref> Other artists who recorded a cover of the song include [[Rosario Fiorello|Fiorello]], who included it in the album ''A modo mio'' in 2004,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/vetrina-2527/fiorello-a-modo-mio|publisher=Rockol.it|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=Fiorello – A modo mio |date=30 October 2004}}</ref> and the band [[Formula 3 (band)|Formula 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/25-anni-di-lucio-battisti-mw0001789174|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|language=Italian|accessdate=4 August 2013|title=25 Anni di Lucio Battisti – Formula 3}}</ref>
==Track listing==
*'''"Il mio canto libero" – [[45 rpm single]] (Numero Uno ZN 50267) – 1972'''<ref name=DDS/>
# "Il mio canto libero" <small>(Lucio Battisti, Mogol)</small> – 5:09
# "Confusione" <small>(Battisti, Mogol)</small> – 4:29
*'''"Ma chanson de liberté" – 45 rpm single (Vogue, Numero Uno NU 3047) – 1973'''<ref name=FrenchVersion/><ref name=SongsHPI>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/discografie/d_battistil_b.htm|publisher=Hitparadeitalia.it|language=Italian|accessdate=6 August 2013|title=Lucio Battisti – Brani}}</ref><ref name=DiscographyHPI/>
# "Ma chanson de liberté" <small>(Lucio Battisti, Mogol, Eddie Marnay)</small> – 5:07
# "Vento nel vento" <small>(Lucio Battisti, Mogol)</small> – 3:23
*'''"Mi libre canción" – 45 rpm single (Rca Victor TPBO 9104) – 1973'''<ref name=SongsHPI/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sezionemusica.it/discografie/battisti/battisti%20lucio.htm|publisher=SezioneMusica.it|language=Italian|accessdate=6 August 2013|title=Lucio Battisti – Discografia|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015070136/http://www.sezionemusica.it/discografie/battisti/battisti%20lucio.htm|archivedate=15 October 2012}}</ref>
# "Mi libre canción" <small>(Lucio Battisti, Mogol, Carlos Ràmon Amàrt)</small> – 5:07
# "Io vorrei... non vorrei... ma se vuoi..." <small>(Lucio Battisti, Mogol)</small> – 4:36
==Credits and personnel==
[[File:Lucio Battisti.jpg|thumb|Lucio Battisti was the original performer of the song.]]
'''Production and music credits'''<ref name=DiscographyHPI>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/discografie/d_battistil_d.htm |publisher=Hitparadeitalia.it |language=Italian |accessdate=6 August 2013 |title=Discografie – Lucio Battisti |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130806123433/http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/discografie/d_battistil_d.htm |archivedate=6 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Lucio Battisti – vocals, producer, arranger, acoustic guitar, [[Ukulele|Hawaiian guitar]], drums, background vocals
* [[Gian Piero Reverberi]] – arrenger, orchestra conductor
* Massimo Luca – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
* [[Mario Lavezzi]] – guitar, drums
* Reginaldo Ettore – drums
* [[Gabriele Lorenzi]] – keyboards
* Gigi Mucciolo – trumpet, trombone
* Gianni Dall'Aglio – drums
* Guido Guglielminetti – bass guitar
* [[4+4 di Nora Orlandi]] – background vocals
==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Il mio canto libero"
! Chart (1973)
! Peak<br/>position
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/index.php |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130804093246/http://www.musicaedischi.it/index.php |work=[[Musica e dischi]] |language=Italian |title=Musica e Dischi – Singoli – 40 anni fa |accessdate=4 August 2013 |archivedate=4 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|1
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "Il mio canto libero"
! scope="col" | Chart (1973)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref name="ISBN 9788817033923"/>
|3
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Il mio canto libero"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Italy|artist=Lucio Battisti|title=Il mio canto libero|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1972|certyear=2024|id=12428|note=sales since 2009|access-date=23 April 2024|refname=cert}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Lucio Battisti}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mio canto libero (song)}}
[[Category:1972 singles]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Italy]]
[[Category:Songs in Italian]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mogol (lyricist)]]
[[Category:1972 songs]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Lucio Battisti songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Lucio Battisti]]