Per Elisa
1981 single by Alice
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"Per Elisa" (transl. "For Elisa") is a 1981 single by Alice. The song was the breakthrough in the singer's career, winning the 31st edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, and being an international commercial success.[3][4]
Background
The song marked a second collaboration between Battiato and Alice, following the 1980 moderately successful single "Il vento caldo dell'estate".[5][6] The title Per Elisa is a reference to Ludwig van Beethoven's composition "Für Elise", whose musical theme is reprised in the intro of the song.[6]
The lyrics on surface tell the story of a love triangle from the point of view of a betrayed woman, but according to many critics actually refer to drug addiction, with the Elisa of the title being a code name for heroin.[4][5][6][7] In this interpretation, rejected by both Alice and Battiato,[5][6][8] the song was included in the soundtrack of the Claudio Caligari's 1983 drug-themed film Toxic Love.[7][9]
The structure of the song has been described as "unusual because it lacks a refrain, but equally catchy thanks to several melodic hooks and a smooth mainstream sound".[5]
Track listing
- 7" single - 3C 006-18529
- "Per Elisa" (Alice, Franco Battiato, Giusto Pio)
- "Non devi avere paura" (Alice)
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[10] | 1 |
| Germany[11] | 17 |
| Austria[12] | 4 |
| Switzerland[13] | 5 |