A live performance by Gianna Nannini singing the compelling hit, “Meravigliosa Creatura.”

This was Gianna Nannini's first hit song in 1979. The popular song with its provocative lyrics is aimed at an adult audience.

Native of Siena, singer-songwriter Gianna Nannini is unafraid of being provocative and explicit in her lyrics. She sings this song from her album Amore gigante [Huge Love].

The dramatic song "Vado Avanti" [I go on] by Gioia Marconi describes a girl who's deluded by love and who doesn't see any future. Her hopelessness is overcome, though, by the will to go on. Video provided by PA 74 Music.

Giorgia performs the song "Gocce di memoria" [Drops of Memory]. The artist wrote the lyrics to music by Andrea Guerra. It was featured in the 2003 film "Facing Windows" by the director Ferzan Ozpetek.

"È l'amore che conta" [It's Love that Counts] is Giorgia's second single. Venice is the backdrop for the video.

The "Ninna nanna del chicco di caffè" [Coffee Bean Lullaby] was first performed at a musical festival devoted children's songs, the Zecchino d'Oro, in 1970. It is still sung today by many Italian mothers to lull their babies to sleep.

"Stella Stellina" [Star, little star) is a lullaby which repeats the names of farm animals and lulls children to sleep.

Giuditta sings a song about a beautiful turtle. The song tells about how the turtle ended up being such a slow animal.

Khadyha sings her beautiful song “Un bacio è troppo poco” (One Kiss Is Not Enough) for us. Video provided by Mediterraneos Productions.

This song is an ode to the region of Basilicata, also known as Lucania, in the southernmost part of Italy. Some of the lyrics go by very very quickly, which is why it's classified as advanced. Still, the refrain is slower and clearer, so why not give it a whirl, even if you're a beginner!

Laura presents her single Non ho mai smesso (I never stopped) in the middle of the Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square) in Milan.

Biagio Antonacci wrote the song "Vivimi" for Laura Pausini in 2004. "Vivimi" is tricky to translate, as it can mean "share life with me" or "experience me" or "live me."

Laura Pausini, in concert, sings a song about the wrenching difficulties of a long-distance relationship. The music and lyrics were written by Biagio Antonacci.

Laura Sini, a finalist at the 2011 edition of Videofestival Live, sings about having to leave her native Sardinia in order to further her music career. This video was kindly provided by pa74music.

Mina's famous song, "Giorni" [Days] is performed here by Laura Vignes, for the fifth edition of the Festival Nazionale della Canzone D'Autore [National Festival of Songwriters] for young talents.

This song by the Milanese band is about trying to keep a romantic relationship going. It has had huge success in Italy.

This song, by the Sicilian singer Levante, is in praise of diversity, of those who don't just follow the pack. Double meanings, rhymes, and opposites make the lyrics interesting for those learning Italian, whether or not the music is your cup of tea.

Here they are again! Have fun dancing with this new song from Ligabue!

“La linea sottile” [The subtle line] is a song from Ligabue’s album “Arrivederci, mostro” [Goodbye monster], one of the most popular albums from 2010.

Ligabue wrote the love song Tu sei lei (You're Her) for his wife. The video was filmed largely along the Tiber in Rome.

This song, written by Ivano Fossati and sung by Loredana Bertè with her scratchy voice, has never lost its popularity with Italians.

Lorenzo Baglioni, a Tuscan pop star, sings a tune on il congiuntivo (the subjunctive). He remarks that the subjunctive is particularly useful for lovers. Note that the Italian subjunctive, out of context, can have various different solutions in English, and sometimes doesn't correspond at all.

Lorenzo Jovanotti, famous Italian singer-songwriter, celebrates the 150th anniversary of Italy’s Unification, on March 17th, 2011. He delivers best wishes to all Italians, and sings "Fratelli d’Italia" [Brothers of Italy], the Italian national anthem, otherwise known as the "Inno di Mameli" [Hymn of Mameli].