Grande grande grande
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Grande grande grande" is a 1972 Italian song, written by Alberto Testa and Tony Renis. It was a No. 1 hit for Mina in Italy and for Shirley Bassey released as "Never Never Never" in the U.K., U.S. and Australia. The song's theme is love-hate relationships.
Mina version
"Grande grande grande" was a No. 1 hit on the Italian Singles Chart for Mina in 1972, from her No. 1 self-titled album. The single was released in early 1972 and entered the Top 10 the week of February 26.
After a steady climb to No. 2 (behind "Imagine" by John Lennon) the week of March 11, the song seemed to have run out of steam after falling 2 places to No. 4 to new hits by Delirium, Nicola Di Bari and Nada ("Imagine" had dropped to No. 5). By April 1, the song had once again climbed to its peak No. 2 position were it remained the whole month of April before finally reaching No. 1 on April 29. "Grande grande grande", arranged by Pino Presti, ruled the charts the first three weeks of May until "I giardini di marzo" by her collaborator Lucio Battisti, and her own hit "Parole parole" knocked it out of the top spot down to No. 3 the week of May 27. "Grande grande grande" remained in the top 10 until the week of July 8, often trading places with "Parole parole". By the year's end, only "Il Padrino" by Santo and Johnny had enjoyed a longer life on the charts and Mina had to settle for the runner up position for 1972's biggest hit on the Italian singles chart.
Cover versions
- Shirley Bassey had a No. 8 hit in the UK with "Never Never Never", an English version with lyrics by Norman Newell. It was also No. 1 in Australia, No. 1 in South Africa, No. 3 in Singapore, and her only single to make three US charts: No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 8 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and No. 67 on the R&B Chart. It is also a concert staple.
- Celine Dion with Luciano Pavarotti 1997 (Released as "I Hate You Then I Love You")
- Julio Iglesias with Nana Mouskouri. Iglesias also sang covers in languages such as Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese and French.
- Dana Winner
- Mireille Mathieu
- Sergio Franchi covered this song in English ("Never Never Never") on his 1976 DynaHouse Album 20 Magnificent Songs.
- Orietta Berti
- Pimpinela
- Vikki Carr
- John Holt ("Never Never Never")
The original lyrics have been downplayed in its English translation. Take for instance a verse as "sei luomo piu egoista e prepotente che abbia conosciuto mai", which literally translates as "you are the most selfish and arrogant man I have ever met", but which isn't reproduced at all.
