Città vuota

"Città vuota" (English: Empty city) is a song recorded by Italian singer Mina in 1963. This song is Italian version of "It's a Lonely Town" by Gene McDaniels. The song was written by Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, and adapted by Giuseppe Cassia.

Original version

It was the singer's first single on the RiFi label. After the release, the song quickly became popular and rose to number three on the Italian singles chart. The songs "E inutile" (written by Ricky Gianco and Gian Pieretti) and "Valentino vale" (by Vittorio Buffoli and Vito Pallavicini) were used as a b-side. Mina also recorded Spanish version called "Ciudad solitaria".

This single marked Mina's return to television after she was banned by RAI TV because of the singer's personal life.

Track listing

7" single – 1963: A. "Città vuota" – 2:34; B1. "È inutile" (Gian Pieretti, Ricky Gianco) – 1:56; B2. "Valentino vale" (Vito Pallavicini, Vittorio Buffoli) – 2:11

7" single – 1978 (Ri-Fi): A. "Città vuota" – 2:34; B. "Un anno d'amore" (Mogol, Alberto Testa, Nino Ferrer) – 3:10

Charts

1978 remake

In 1978, Mina released a disco-style remake, conceived and arranged by Pino Presti with the inclusion of a jazz part. Combined with "Ancora, ancora, ancora" (by Cristiano Malgioglio and Gian Pietro Felisatti), it became one of the most successful singles of the summer of that year, reaching number five in Italian singles chart in August. Mina performed this version during her concerts in Bussoladomani and later included it on her live album Live '78.

Track listing

7" single – 1978 (PDU): A. "Città vuota (It's a Lonely Town)" – 5:00; B. "Ancora ancora ancora" (Cristiano Malgioglio, Gian Pietro Felisatti) – 4:19