The 2nd Billboard #1 hit following their move to the Hot 100- “Volare”- Domenico Modugno- #1 for five weeks  it was #1on- August 18, 1958 then fell out of the top spot and regained the #1 spot on September 1 for another four weeks.  Released on Decca. Written by Domenico Modugno, Franco Migliacci. Genre: Pop. Time: 3:29 B:Side: Lazzarella. Grade: B Domenico Modugno had only one other Hot 100 hit “Plove” #97 in 1959.

“Volare” by Italian singer, songwriter, actor and guitarist Domenico Modugno- won two Grammy Awards in 1958 for Record and Song Of The Year. “Volare” also sold over 22 million copies world wide and was Billboard’s #1 single for the year. The song has been covered by a number of artists-Dean Martin was one of the first also in 1958 taking it to #15, McGuire Sisters #80 also in 1958, Bobby Rydell #4 in 1960 and Al Martino #33 in 1975. David Bowie covered it in his 1985 film Absolute Beginners. When I think of “Volare” though the version I think of is by Tony Clifton- the character created by the comedic genius Andy Kaufman.

Domenico Modugno later became a member of the Italian Parliament and died in 1996 of a heart attack at the age of 66.