“Meraviglioso” (“Wonderful”)
(music by Domenico Modugno,
text by Riccardo Pazzaglia, 1968)
“Meraviglioso” is a deeply poignant and uplifting song that celebrates the beauty of life, even in the face of despair.
Original interpretation by Modugno:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a–FJ5g6b_w
Even better, revisitation in 2008 by Negramaro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EikicSEKi4M
“
It’s true, believe me, it happened,
one night on a bridge,
looking at the dark water,
with that cursed urge
to take a plunge below.
Suddenly, someone behind me,
perhaps an angel disguised as a passerby,
took me away, saying to me:
Wonderful!
But how can you not see
how wonderful the world is?
Wonderful!
Even your pain
can heal in time;
Wonderful!
Look around at the gifts you’ve been given:
they’ve invented the sea!
You say, “I have nothing.”
Does the sun seem like nothing to you?
Life! Love!
Wonderful!
The love of a woman who loves only you.
Wonderful!
The light of a morning,
the embrace of a friend,
the face of a child—
Wonderful!
The night had ended,
and I could still feel it:
the taste of life!
Wonderful!
“
The narrator recounts a moment of profound hopelessness, standing on a bridge at night, tempted by the idea of ending it all. But an unexpected intervention — perhaps divine, perhaps human — shifts the perspective entirely.
The “passerby” or “angel” points out the wonders of the world, from nature’s gifts to human connection, reminding the narrator of the countless reasons to cherish life.
The song oscillates between despair and hope, transforming pain into appreciation for existence.
It conveys the idea that even in moments of darkness, life holds profound beauty waiting to be rediscovered.
Domenico Modugno (1928–1994) was an iconic Italian singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker, often hailed as one of the fathers of Italian popular music, known internationally for his classic hit “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (a.k.a. “Volare”).
Modugno captured the essence of human emotions through his music, blending traditional Italian melodies with contemporary sounds.