Biggest-selling Eurovision Song Contest entry

“Nel blu, dipinto di blu” (“In the blue, painted in blue”), aka “Volare”, finished third in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1958. The single was originally recorded by Italy’s Domenico Modugno (1928-94), with lyrics by Modugno and Francesco “Franco” Migliacci (1930-2023), and has sold an estimated 22 million copies worldwide since it was released in February 1958. It was the second No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 following the chart’s launch on 4 August 1958 and remains the only Eurovision entry to scoop a Grammy – two, in fact: Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the very first edition of the awards show on 4 May 1959.

“Nel blu, dipinto di blu” is the most covered Eurovision song, with more than 100 different versions in existence by the likes of Dean Martin, Bobby Rydell, David Bowie and Barry White.

Modugno’s version was one of 14 songs to participate in the TV celebration Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest (2005). It came second overall, behind ABBA’s “Waterloo”, in a final five that featured “Hold Me Now” by Johnny Logan (No.3), “My Number One” by Helena Paparizou (No.4) and “Save Your Kisses for Me” by Brotherhood of Man (No.5).