Diodato will represent Italy at Eurovision 2020 with his song “Fai rumore”. The singer-songwriter earned the ticket to Rotterdam by winning Italy’s 70th Festival di Sanremo. He will sing another edit of the song at Eurovision, as it will need to be shortened to three minutes per ESC rules and regulations.

Italian is a beautiful language that can’t always be translated that easily. While the literal translation of the title is “Make Noise”, that’s rather crude and does little to convey the nuance and emotion on show. The title is a plea for a former love to manifest themselves once more and to give a sign of love and life. Diodato is essentially saying he misses the sound of the person who’s left him behind.

Scroll down for the “Fai rumore” lyrics

Italy in Eurovision 2020: Diodato “Fai rumore”

Diodato is one of Italy’s rising stars. He first rose to fame after taking part in the Newcomers section of Sanremo in 2014 with “Babilonia“, placing second. He returned in the Campioni category of the Italian kermesse in 2018 together with trumpeter Roy Paci to perform “Adesso“, which landed in 8th place.

Prior to Sanremo 2020, he released “Che vita meravigliosa”, for the soundtrack to “La dea fortuna”, an Italian movie directed by Ferzan Özpetek.

Diodato’s Sanremo win surprised some. Many expected Eurovision 2017 act Francesco Gabbani to take the winner’s trophy once more with “Viceversa”. Gabbani won first place in two of the three rankings considered in the final (televoting and demographic poll), while Diodato was widely preferred by the press room vote.

What do the “Fai rumore” lyrics mean?

A beautiful description of the song was written by Alessandro Alicandri on TV Sorrisi e Canzoni.

Love is so all-consuming that its absence can create a painful silence. In fact, it creates familiar sounds that bring us back to those who no longer love us.

Hearing — and indeed the inability to hear — is the main element of Diodato’s track “Fai rumore”. If a love story is a feast for the senses, the end of a relationship is a room made of unbearable silence interrupted by familiar noises.

Every noise can become a reminder of who we loved — their sonic traces are engraved in our memory, taking us back to places where we shouldn’t go. Drawn into that space, it’s impossible not to get hurt.

The song ends with the words, “And now I don’t want to do without / That beautiful noise you make”. Many say that it’s better to close a door properly in order to move on, but there’s an inevitable hurdle: the fact that we’re not always ready to do that.

The taste of letting go is bitter, but it is a necessary medicine. Diodato — indeed, all of us — must understand that there is no future if we let ourselves be carried away by memories of the past. But in the meantime, leave me here to listen.

“Fai rumore” lyrics — Diodato (Italy ESC 2020)

Written and composed by: Antonio Diodato and Edwyn Roberts.

Edwyn Roberts is a prolific songwriter. He took part in the 12th edition of the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, and later wrote many songs for famous Italian artists including Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, Giusy Ferreri, Francesco Renga and Malika Ayane.

Italian text

Sai che cosa penso?
Che non dovrei pensare
che se poi penso sono un animale
e se ti penso tu sei un’anima

Ma forse è questo temporale
che mi porta da te
e lo so, non dovrei farmi trovare
senza un ombrello, anche se

Ho capito che
per quanto io fugga
torno sempre a te

Che fai rumore qui
e non lo so se mi fa bene
se il tuo rumore mi conviene

Ma fai rumore, sì
che non lo posso sopportare
questo silenzio innaturale tra me e te

E me ne vado in giro senza parlare
senza un posto a cui arrivare
consumo le mie scarpe
e forse le mie scarpe
sanno bene dove andare

Che mi ritrovo negli stessi posti
proprio quei posti che dovevo evitare
e faccio finta di non ricordare
e faccio finta di dimenticare

Ma capisco che
per quanto io fugga
torno sempre a te

Che fai rumore qui
e non lo so se mi fa bene
se il tuo rumore mi conviene

Ma fai rumore, sì
che non lo posso sopportare
questo silenzio innaturale tra me e te

Ma fai rumore, sì
che non lo posso sopportare
questo silenzio innaturale

E non ne voglio fare a meno oramai
di quel bellissimo rumore che fai

English translation

You know what I think?
That I shouldn’t be thinking,
that if I think about it then, I’m an animal
and if I think about you, you’re a soul

But maybe it’s this storm
that brings me to you
And I know I shouldn’t be found
without an umbrella, even though

I realized that
as far as I run away
I always come back to you

Who make noise, here
and I don’t know if it’s good for me
if your noise suits me

But you make noise, yes
and I can’t stand
this unnatural silence between you and me

And I’m walking without talking
with nowhere to go
I’m wearing down my shoes
and perhaps my shoes
know where to go

That I find myself in the same places again,
exactly those places that I should have avoided
and I pretend I don’t remember
and I pretend to forget

But I realize that
as far as I run away
I always come back to you

Who make noise, here
and I don’t know if it’s good for me
if your noise suits me

But you make noise, yes
and I can’t stand
this unnatural silence between you and me

But you make noise, yes
and I can’t stand
this unnatural silence

And now I don’t want to do without
that beautiful noise you make

What do you think of Italy’s entry? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more Eurovision 2020 lyrics

83 Comments
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Giovanni anghelone
Giovanni anghelone
4 years ago

I think the Italian song should win

Giovanni anghelone
Giovanni anghelone
4 years ago

I think the Italian song should win not because I am Italian it’s about time Italy won it forzza Italia

Mark Pumphrey
Mark Pumphrey
4 years ago

I’ve been following Eurovision since 2012, the year the marvelous Loreen won with “Euphoria,” and I can say without question that this 2020 entry from Italy has had the most direct, visceral effect on me of any Eurovision song I’ve ever heard, including many that I have loved dearly. I only heard the song for the first time a few days ago, but I haven’t stopped thinking about it and hearing it in my head since. No matter how many times I watch it on YouTube, the performance by Diodato leaves me with goosebumps and in tears every time. What… Read more »

mytracklyrics
4 years ago

Thanks for sharing these awesome lyrics.
Visit Mytracklyrics for more Lyrics

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

Ugh i hate this kind of bland song, where’s the key change, disco beat, wind machine, confetti and gay-pandering lyric???

Russell
Russell
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Best comment ever !

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

Italia 8/10
España 7/10
Letonia 6/10
República Checa 5/10
Australia 3/10
Albania 2/10

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
4 years ago

I love “Fai rumore” very much. Diodato was in my top 5 for San Remo songs.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

OK, here’s something interesting. Eurovision’s Instagram finally posted that Diodato would be representing Italy after a couple of days…but it said “his song from Rotterdam will be confirmed soon.” Why wouldn’t it be Fai rumore? Isn’t he just going to cut it down by like forty seconds and then he’ll be fine?

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

That’s interesting. No idea why they would say that. Like, I guess some people (admittedly myself included) are questioning whether this would be as good an esc song as previous enteries but still…i’d be shocked if he sent something else, even if it was in an attempt to be more esc friendly.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

He wouldn’t have a ton of time to drum something up either. Nina Zilli is the only singer I can think of who created a completely different entry after competing at Sanremo, and even then she was selected internally from the Sanremo candidates and therefore had time to come up with something new for Eurovision. (And man, it’s weird to think that there was a time when Italy collaborated with Swedish songwriters to create a Eurovision entry. It was really good, but so not in their wheelhouse nowadays).

JeyDelRey
JeyDelRey
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

He has an upcoming album and a lot of italian fans online seem to think that he should enter ESC with the previous single from his upcoming album “Che vita meravigliosa”. I like Fai rumore and Che vita meravigliosa so I’m happy with both, but I just want to say that it’s not impossible for him to enter with another song since he has a complete album coming soon.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  JeyDelRey

I guess the real question is how much he’s willing to cut down. Che vita meravigliosa isn’t Eurovision-length either, but there’s only a tiny bit less to cut than Fai rumore (33 seconds as opposed to 46).

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  JeyDelRey

It is a bit more upbeat, and I dig it, but Fai rumore might stick out more.

noone
noone
4 years ago

Thank you, next

Escf
Escf
4 years ago
Reply to  noone

Said no one ever

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Call me crazy, but when people are comparing this song to Molitva, Arcade, and Amar pelos dois (y’know, songs that WON), I take it as a good sign.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Indeed.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Even in like a dismissive kind of way. Somebody said, “Sounds like they’re going for an Arcade kind of thing.” First of all, it’s not as though they’re trying (because, for the umpteenth time, NONE OF THEIR SELECTIONS ARE PREDICATED ON EUROVISION SUCCESS), second of all, that worked out pretty well for Arcade, didn’t it?

noone
noone
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Who is compering it to those songs?? I want names. 🙂 no, but seriously, this is not in the same league

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  noone

Yes it is

andy Giuliano Ameglio
andy Giuliano Ameglio
4 years ago

What I don’t think you know is that Diodato song was inspired to him by 2 of his real love story 1 with Levante also in the Sanremo competition (that I actually liked more than Diodato song)and 1 by his ex girlfriend that he left for his story with Levante,Levante separates or divorce from her husband before their story.Anyway nice article lads.

andy Giuliano Ameglio
andy Giuliano Ameglio
4 years ago

I should ready all the comments what a idiot apologies to ye all.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Italians usually put a lot of attention on the lyrics and that’s something I love about the country’s music. It’s true that the language helps and the strenght of the chorus comes also from how the sound of each word works. I like how this one plays with the fact that part of the memory we have about former lovers (and also people that left us for any reason) is based on the “noise” they bring to our life. Nothing screams “loneliness” louder than silence. I also appreciate it’s a love song that goes to the limit without getting cheesy.

GreenTea
GreenTea
4 years ago

I don’t think Italy will be among my biggest favorites this year but it’s a nice ballad with a really powerfull chorus. I like it. I won’t be surprised if the jury appreciates this. Public? For now it’s hard to predict.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  GreenTea

Look, when the jury started handing out 12’s to Mahmood last year, his chances of winning in my eyes went waaayyy up, because I already knew that song was gonna kill with the televote. The televote loves Italy. If the juries love them too, it’s a done deal.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
4 years ago

Rumor has it the song is about Levante. I don’t know about you, but if I broke up with somebody, and then we ended up in the same widely-televised music competition, and then my ex decided to compete with a song that was about me, ..I think I would be pretty angry about them making something about the end of our relationship so public since that should be something kept between two people. That’s like the exact opposite of him showing he’s moved on. I mean it’s a pretty song with pretty lyrics but….men really do think they can just… Read more »

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

I think many Adele’s songs are about her ex, if I am right, whole world knows about it. I don’t see problem with that, it’s freedom of artistic expression. If we think in that way then huge amount of works would be “controversial”. Besides, he doesn’t say nothing bad about her or their relationship, so I think lyrics are very tasteful and beautiful.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
4 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Maybe I’m thinking too deep into it, …but I feel like singers shouldn’t release songs about finished relationships in general. To me it just doesn’t seem fair to the other person. I’ve seen stories about people basing their work on their exes. The exes aren’t always happy about it. You know that movie “marriage story”? It’s based off the writer’s actual past relationship with his ex. When you account for that, the movie is pretty disrespectful to her. I’m just hoping the rumor that the song is about Levante is not true. It’s a pretty song but if it’s true… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

I understand your point of view, but I think the world would be a very sad place if we got rid of every song, book, play or movie that was inspired by people in the authors’ life. Of course, when the lyrics of a song are too salty on the former lover, it can become very unpleasant to think that somewhere in the world someone will be feeling bad everytime they hear the song playing. But in this case, the feelings seem purely sweet and he’s singing about his experience more than about her. Sure, if it’s really about Levante,… Read more »

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Exactly, maybe she’s inspiration, but story is not about her, but about his feelings. In the end it doesn’t matter, when we see final “product” shared to the world, it become open to many interpretations and reach to the people who share similar emotions. “Collaborative expression”, I have to remember that expression, Sabrina 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Mia

I’m pretty sure I’ve taken it for one of those teachers who like to repeat terms like this all the time. 😀

Anna
Anna
4 years ago

He doesn’t say anything bad about her in the song , i don ‘t see the problem. Levante just released a song about him called “Antonio”.

Candy
Candy
4 years ago

Levante has a song about him as well. It’s literally called “Antonio”.

Lourdes
Lourdes
4 years ago

They broke up in good terms and they’re good friends now. She was cheering for him like crazy during the final ( from her instagram videos)

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
4 years ago
Reply to  Lourdes

Well knowing they are still on good terms and BOTH wrote songs about the other makes me feel a lot better about it I guess.

Still, I feel like these two are a unique case. Most people I believe would feel awkward about it. Good for them for being so healthy.

Though this makes me wonder if they both still miss what they used to have…their story with each other might not be over.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Levante posted an instagram story of her watching as he was announced the winner, she cheered and was very happy. Afterwards, when interviewed, she said he had deserved it for a long time – so I think she’s fine with it.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Oh wait, Lourdes already said that, sorry.

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

Someone in another page wrote that there’s a rumour that backstage, another participant was asking Levante (Diodato’s ex) if she was conscious the song was about them and their break up.

NscoN
NscoN
4 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

You can watch the (very short) clip here:

https://www.ilmessaggero.it/video/spettacoli/sanremo_2020_diodato_e_levante_fai_rumore_testo_news_coez_video-5039949.html

In the end the guy tells Levante: “This one, he dedicated it to you!”

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

i can totally hear tiziano ferro singing this song, it rihminds me a lot of his 00s classic ballads

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

“Say something” is perhaps the closest comparison in English. However, the poetic symbolism would have to be completely re-written in order for the song to work in English. It is much more poetic in Italian. There is also a timing length issue, but I will leave that alone until the edit comes out in March.

Eltirat
Eltirat
4 years ago

I think this will be one of these songs that people kinda forget about on the road to may and then surprise during the week of the show, like Amar pelos dois did three years ago.
I’m not saying this is a winning song, but there’s no way this is gonna place in the bottom 5, as a lot of people say.

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Eltirat

Yes people will forget about it because the studio version is perhaps unimpressive, but it has the arena-sound that fit a big stage so well and it really comes alive when it is sung live. There is no way this will finish in the bottom.

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Lol whoever says that is seriously deluded.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob

This is a signed-sealed-delivered top ten if I ever heard it. AT LEAST top ten. This could also be barreling towards the top 5.

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And to the winner if staged properly.

Gippa
Gippa
4 years ago

Christian I think that simply translating “Che fai rumore” with “Who make noise” could be understood as “Chi fa rumore” because it’s not that clear the link with the previous part.
I don’t really have a suggestion since my English is not tha good, but maybe just “you make noise” or “(you) whom make noise”, I really don’t know.
Or maybe non Italians get it right and I’m the one who perceive it wrong. 🙂

Lukaa
Lukaa
4 years ago

The one who makes noise here
You, the one who makes noise here

Nadors
Nadors
4 years ago
Reply to  Lukaa

In that case in Italian it would be “sei tu che FA rumore”, instead it is “tu che FAI rumore”

Lukaa
Lukaa
4 years ago
Reply to  Nadors

Christian was asking for advice to render the sentence less ambiguous. That’s all. Translation often goes far beyond word-for-word match.

Nadors
Nadors
4 years ago

I’m bilingual and I agree with Cristian’s translation.
In questo caso “che” é un pronome relativo riferito al tu precedente, “tu che fai rumore”, “you who make noise”

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Gippa

I am not Italian but as I understand, the “fai rumore”-part works as an imperative, or am I wrong? “please make noise, let me hear from you” it’s not the literal translation but as I understand it, he wishes his love to announce herself to him, so it’s a begging or a prayer of sorts?

startaglia
startaglia
4 years ago

I think the “ma fai rumore, sì” parte is an imperative as he then goes on saying that he can’t stand the unnatural silence there is between them.

Bob
Bob
4 years ago

Thank you for clarifying this Cristian! 🙂 I feel like I get the song even better now! The lyrics are beautiful.

Anna
Anna
4 years ago

Funfact: Diodato, the Swedish Dj Sebastian Ingrosso (of the group “Swedish House Mafia”) and the former Eurovision contestant Benjamin Ingrosso are cousins.
At the beginning of his career Diodato lived in Stokholm for a while and there he worked with his cousin Sebastian and the Dj Steve Angello; the song “Libiri” in the compilation lounge “Beirut Cafè Stokholm vol. 2” by Ingrosso and Angello is sung by Diodato.

Norwegian esc lover
Norwegian esc lover
4 years ago

When I read the lyrics and heard the song, I immediately thought of the movie “Call me by your name”. Italy is probably my favorite so far:)

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

lol that movie was shot in my area, we went from having no tourism at all to being flooded with tourists overnight, it was a blessing

etow
etow
4 years ago

I played Eurovision 2020 Spotify playlist from Wiwibloggs yesterday, and I heard a few songs for the first time. I have to say that I was annoyed when the chorus of Italian song was on. I decided to skip it.

So I was really surprised that this is the song which people generally like really much. I guess we all have different taste.

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  etow

The chorus annoyed me first time as well, but it builds and by the end of the song, it’s not annoying anymore, just powerful. You should try listening to it again.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
4 years ago
Reply to  etow

Actually, they put it third in the televote.

Bugo
Bugo
4 years ago

Will Levante go with him in Rotterdam? As a friend, of course.

startaglia
startaglia
4 years ago
Reply to  Bugo

Le brutte intenzioni, la maleducazione, la tua brutta figura di ieri sera, la tua ingratitudine, la tua arroganza. Ringrazia il cielo sei su questo palco, rispetta chi ti ci ha portato dentro

Lourdes
Lourdes
4 years ago
Reply to  startaglia

E questo sono io.

startaglia
startaglia
4 years ago
Reply to  Bugo

**Bugo leaves the chat**
Morgan: how come?!?!??

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Bugo

No.

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago

Another bland love song. Boring lyrics.

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago
Reply to  Polliu

you are boring

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago

Overrated dated ballad won’t get anywhere. Mark my words. Soldi is like a masterpiece compared to this.

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  Polliu

Soldi was incredible, stunning and deserved to win, as the success it had everywhere shows (Eurovision song most streamed ever) but it lost against a ballad, a beautiful ballad but not better than Diodato’s one

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Holy crap, Brexit Career Woman actually was on the right side of history for once! Italy brings us all together.

this is not my name
this is not my name
4 years ago

I’ve read that the ex girlfriend he is singing about is Levante.

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

Me too

mr 305 # dale
mr 305 # dale
4 years ago

didnt they send this in 2013

Indiana07
Indiana07
4 years ago
Reply to  mr 305 # dale

Yes, they did and it was overrated af

John
John
4 years ago

Thank you for posting the translation. Beautiful!

Malmklang
Malmklang
4 years ago

I really adore the lyrics, but even though I can’t understand the beautiful italian language, this song speak so clearly to me anyway. I hope he keep it italian for Eurovision:-)

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  Malmklang

he’s already confirmed that he won’t translate it!

Wayne
Wayne
4 years ago

Reading and understanding the lyrics makes me even love this song more. It’s really emotional and Diodato can move Europe with this song in Rotterdam. My favorite song so far

mio
mio
4 years ago
Reply to  Wayne

Yes. I believe he will create a special moment. Open, vulnerable, tender, and passionate. It is a different song, but thematically and dynamically, it reminds me “Molitva.”

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Wayne

It will be worth tuning in just to hear this song performed live in a big arena.