"La gatta" (lit.'The female cat') is a 1960 song written and recorded by Gino Paoli.

"La gatta"
Single by Gino Paoli
from the album Gino Paoli
B-side"Io vivo nella luna"
Released1960
Genrepop
Length2:16
LabelDischi Ricordi
Songwriter(s)Gino Paoli
Gino Paoli singles chronology
"Dedicato a te"
(1959)
"La gatta"
(1960)
"Co-eds"
(1960)
Audio
"La gatta" on YouTube

Background

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Initially, the single was a resounding fiasco, selling only 119 copies in about three months.[1][2] In the following months, without any promotion and thanks to word of mouth it eventually proved to be a surprise hit and Paoli's breakthrough, selling up to over one hundred thousand copies in a week.[1]

The song is a nostalgical autobiographical portrait of Paoli's simple, bohémien life in his small apartment in Boccadasse, Genoa.[2] According to Paoli, the cat represented "all my hopes, my romanticism, my desire to look up in the air, to look at the sky".[2] In 2012, Paoli adapted the song in an illustrated book for children.[3]

Cover versions

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Artists who also recorded the song include Ornella Vanoni, Gianni Morandi, Little Tony, Róisín Murphy, Skip Battin and Carla Boni.[1][4] In 2011, Paoli recorded a new version of the song titled "La chatta" in a duet with Daniele Silvestri for Silvestri's album S.C.O.T.C.H.[5][6]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."La gatta"Gino Paoli2:16
2."Io vivo nella luna"Gino Paoli2:49

Charts

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Chart (1960) Peak
position
Italy (Musica e dischi)[7] 13

References

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  1. ^ a b c Salvatori, Dario (2001). "La gatta". Dizionario delle canzoni italiane (in Italian). Elle U. ISBN 8888169016.
  2. ^ a b c Guaitamacchi, Ezio (2009). "La gatta". 1000 canzoni che ci hanno cambiato la vita (in Italian). Rizzoli. ISBN 978-8858617427.
  3. ^ "Le 8 canzoni più famose di Gino Paoli". Sky TG24 (in Italian). 23 February 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  4. ^ "La gatta written by Gino Paoli". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  5. ^ Villa, Marco (6 April 2011). "Daniele Silvestri: "S.C.O.T.C.H." recensione". Rockit.it (in Italian). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  6. ^ Redazione (29 March 2011). "Daniele Silvestri in "Scotch" canta Gaber e duetta con Paoli". Il Giornale (in Italian). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2023. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "La gatta".
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