She started her career singing in English and in the early 1980s she provided vocals (with Angela Parisi) and wrote songs for an Italo Disco duo project called Fun Fun as well as writing songs for many other dance music projects until 1986, when she embarked on a solo career.
Her first dance song "Easy Lady" (1986) was a hit throughout Europe. In 1987 she released her third hit, "Call Me". The single made no.1 in the European Chart, and reached no. 2 in Italy and in the UK Singles Chart. It also made no. 13 in the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart.
Her first album, Dedicated To The Moon, was released the same year and sold over 500,000 copies.
After the minor UK hit "Every Girl And Boy" and a dance-rock album, You Are My Energy (1988), Spagna moved to Santa Monica, California, and created her new pop album No Way Out (1991). This album featured a song written by Diane Warren ("There's A Love"), the two singles "Love At First Sight" and "Only Words", peaked at #5 on the Italian chart, and was certified Platinum (over 100.000 copies sold).
In 1993, Spagna moved back to Europe, and recorded Matter Of Time, featuring the two successful eurodance singles "Why Me" (#10 in Italy) and "I Always Dream About You" (#5 in Italy).
In 1995, after the release of her last dance hit ("Lady Madonna", #4 in Italy), she started singing in her native Italian. After achieving a great success in Italy with the Italian version of Elton John's Circle of Life (Il cerchio della vita), featured in the Italian soundtrack of the Disney film The Lion King, she took part in the Sanremo Festival, the most important Italian song contest, ranking 3rd in 1995 with the song "Gente Come Noi". Her first album in Italian, Siamo in due, sold over 350.000 copies and became the best-selling album by a female singer in Italy that year.
From that year onwards, Spagna released many successful albums sung in Italian (including hit singles such as "Siamo in due", "E io penso a te", "Lupi solitari", "Indivisibili", "Dov'eri", "Il bello della vita-World Cup Song", "Con il tuo nome") until 2003, when she left Sony Music in order to sing in English again. She signed to an independent Swiss record label (B&G), and recorded Woman, a dance-pop album featuring eight new songs in English, two in Spanish and one in French. The album spawned the three singles Never Say You Love Me, Woman and Do It With Style. In 2004 a new remixed version of "Easy Lady" was released. In 2009 a new remix of "Easy Lady" again, produced with DJ Nicola Fasano.
Spagna's albums and singles have sold a total of over 10 millions copies worldwide, for which she has been awarded the "Disco d'oro alla carriera" (Gold certification for the career) by the Italian Federation of the Music Industry (FIMI) in 2006.
In February 2006 she took part in the Sanremo Festival again, with the song Noi Non Possiamo Cambiare, and in May 2006 ranked third in the Italian reality television program, Music Farm.
In February 2009 the new EP Lola & Angiolina Project, in collaboration with the Italian rockstar Loredana Berté, was released: the first single has been the rock ballad Comunque vada
Dance Dance Dance
Ivana Spagna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And mama said "Control your fantasy,
Don't waste your time dreaming girl
Don't be a Sleeping Beauty. Well find your way
Why don't you listen to me"
Dance dance dance, dance nd take a chance
Eh eh eh eh ih ah ah
Eh eh ih eh eh ih
Come on boys
And when it's night I need a special friend
I have the music, when I feel down
My friend is close to me
You must believe I really do my best
And try to use it
I need the sound it gives me energy
The lyrics of Ivana Spagna's song "Dance Dance Dance" describe a young girl with big dreams and ambitions, who is cautioned by her mother to stay grounded and not get lost in her imagination. Despite her mother's warning, the singer of the song feels a deep connection to music and dancing, using it as a source of comfort and a way to recharge when she's feeling down. She speaks of music as a friend, something that gives her energy and helps her to do her best.
The repeated refrain of "Dance dance dance" encourages the listener to come together and join in the joy of dancing, regardless of any setbacks or obstacles faced. This theme of unity and celebration is further emphasized in the call for "everybody" to join in the dance, breaking down barriers of age, gender, and social status.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dance Dance Dance" are optimistic and uplifting, emphasizing the power of music to bring people together and inspire us to be our best selves.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young I was the greatest dreamer of the city
As a child, I was an avid dreamer and had big aspirations for myself compared to others in my town.
And mama said "Control your fantasy,
Don't waste your time dreaming girl
Don't be a Sleeping Beauty. Well find your way
Why don't you listen to me"
My mother advised me to not solely rely on fantasies to fulfill my dreams, and instead take action towards achieving them. She encouraged me to listen to her guidance and find my own path.
Dance dance dance, dance and take a chance
Eh eh eh eh ih ah ah
Dance dance dance, everybody dance
Eh eh ih eh eh ih
Come on boys
Dancing and taking risks is an essential part of life. It's a call to action for all to join in and enjoy the moment. The song invites the boys to join in the dancing and good times.
And when it's night I need a special friend
I have the music, when I feel down
My friend is close to me
You must believe I really do my best
And try to use it
I need the sound it gives me energy
Late at night, when I feel alone, I turn to music as my companion. It uplifts my spirits and gives me the energy to keep going. I assure you that I am making the most of the music's power to motivate me.
Writer(s): Alfredo Pignagnoli, Ivana Spagna, Giorgio Spagna
Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.