Italo Disco is a genre with hundreds of artists and thousands of tracks. For a newcomer that can feel intimidating: where do you even start? Which songs are must-listens? We've put together ten tracks that give you the fullest possible picture of the genre. If you're just discovering Italo Disco, start here.
1. Gazebo - I Like Chopin (1983)
Let's start with where it all started. "I Like Chopin" is often called the song that officially launched the genre. A melancholy melody, a synth beat, simple English lyrics with a nod to a classical composer. Everything you need to know about the mood of Italo Disco is in this track.
Notice how a dance rhythm combines with an almost ballad-like melody. That's a unique trait of the genre - you can dance to this music, or stare thoughtfully out the window to it.
2. Ryan Paris - Dolce Vita (1983)
If "I Like Chopin" is night, "Dolce Vita" is sunset. A warm, romantic melody, the image of the beautiful Italian life, the perfect soundtrack for a summer evening. The track became a hit in practically every European country and still plays in films set in the '80s.
3. Baltimora - Tarzan Boy (1985)
A mandatory entry in any Italo Disco anthology. "Tarzan Boy" is the track with the unforgettable "Ah-ee-ah-ee-ah" in the chorus. One of the few songs from the genre that hit the US Billboard Hot 100. Energetic, fun, absolutely unforgettable.
4. Savage - Don't Cry Tonight (1983)
A classic of melancholy Italo Disco. A low male voice with an Italian accent, a dramatic melody, a nighttime mood. Roberto Zanetti sings like he's telling the most important story of his life. For many listeners this is the reference track for the genre.
5. Ken Laszlo - Tonight (1985)
A textbook example of how mid-'80s Italo Disco was made. An energetic beat, a bright synth melody, a memorable chorus. Ken Laszlo was one of the genre's biggest stars, and "Tonight" is his calling card.
6. Raf - Self Control (1984)
An interesting case - this song is better known in the American Laura Branigan version, but the original was made by Italy's Raf. Both versions are masterpieces, but the Italian one has a particular charm. Listen to the original to understand how the track sounded before the American treatment.
7. Valerie Dore - The Night (1984)
One of the best female-fronted tracks in the genre. Dramatic, dark, with a noir streak - nothing like the cheerful dance hits. Shows that Italo Disco could be serious and atmospheric, not just danceable.
8. Sandy Marton - People From Ibiza (1984)
The summer side of the genre. If most Italo Disco tracks are about the night, "People From Ibiza" is about the day, the beach, the sun, cocktails. A perfect song for the start of summer or just for a good mood. The title has become a cultural shorthand for a certain lifestyle.
9. Den Harrow - Future Brain (1985)
One of the biggest hits from the genre's most mysterious artist. A powerful beat, a futuristic mood, a memorable chorus. Yes, Dennis De Rosa (a.k.a. Den Harrow) didn't always sing his own songs - but the result still turned out remarkable.
10. P. Lion - Happy Children (1983)
Let's close with another early hit. "Happy Children" is a classic of the genre, one of the most memorable melodies of the era. It's great to dance to, it sticks in your head, and it makes a perfect final stop on our mini-tour through Italo Disco.
Where to Go Next
If after these ten tracks you feel the genre pulling you in - congratulations, you're now part of a big international family of Italo Disco fans. Where do you go from here?
A few next steps:
- Full albums. The artists mentioned above have lesser-known but equally interesting tracks beyond the big hits.
- Compilations. Collections from ZYX Music and other labels - thousands of tracks you haven't heard.
- Forgotten names. The genre is full of second-tier '80s artists whose work is being rediscovered today.
Italo Disco doesn't require special training or musical erudition. It's simply good dance music made to be listened to and danced to. Don't worry if some tracks don't land for you - the genre has a huge range of moods, and everyone finds their own.
If you want more after this list - head over to the Disco Magic catalog: hundreds of tracks from the genre, playable right on the page without downloading.
A continuous genre stream is available on Italo Disco radio online.
The terminology and the boundary between styles are set out in the guide to Italo Disco and Eurodance.
Among the fresh Italo Disco tracks in the Disco Magic catalog - "Forget" and "This Night": the classic genre formula in original compositions.