Sanremo 1973: A young singer with long, flowing hair stands on stage, singing «Vado via»—and is eliminated from the competition before the finals even begin. A few months later, that very same song is playing on the radio all over Europe. «Vado via» by Drupi is the story of a false start that turned into a global hit. Here, you’ll learn how the song came to be, what it’s about, and why a festival defeat turned into a timeless classic.
«Vado via» – Profile
- Artist: Drupi (Giampiero Anelli)
- Published: 1973 (Single, Dischi Ricordi)
- Lyrics/Music: Luigi Albertelli (lyrics), Enrico Riccardi (music)
- Genre: Italian pop, dramatic ballad
- Special features: Didn't qualify for the finals at Sanremo in 1973—and yet it was a huge hit in France and the United Kingdom
The Story Behind «Vado via»
Before Giampiero Anelli became Drupi, he had already lived several lives: He worked as a plumber, a bartender, and a mechanic before music became his profession. He’s had his stage name since childhood—during a Nativity play at the oratory in his hometown of Pavia, he played an imp named Drupi, and the name stuck. After taking his first steps with the band Le Calamite and releasing a debut single in 1972, he signed with the Dischi Ricordi label.
It was discovered and developed by the songwriting duo Enrico Riccardi (music) and Luigi Albertelli (lyrics)—two seasoned professionals who had already written classics such as «Zingara,» the winning song at the 1969 Sanremo Festival. For their protégé, they wrote «Vado via,» a grand, dramatic ballad, tailor-made for Drupi’s powerful, slightly rough voice.
His performance at the 1973 Sanremo Festival, however, was a disappointment: the newcomer didn’t even make it to the finals with «Vado via.» Drupi briefly considered returning to his old profession. But then the unexpected happened—the song caught on outside Italy, especially in France and the United Kingdom, where it reached high positions on the charts. What had been a failed festival entry became Drupi’s springboard to an international career that would later take him as far as Latin America and Eastern Europe.
What is «Vado via» about?
«Vado via» is a farewell song—the title itself is the statement that sums it all up. A man addresses a love that no longer fulfills him and makes the decision to leave. It’s not an angry breakup, but a farewell born of disappointment: What once was no longer works, and instead of staying and wearing himself out, the singer draws the logical conclusion.
The song’s appeal lies in this blend of vulnerability and pride. The title becomes a recurring refrain that makes the decision more definitive with each repetition. Carried by a grand, orchestral arrangement, the piece builds from quiet resignation to a downright defiant surge—the moment when pain transforms into the strength to move forward.
«Vado via»: Lyrics & Meaning
The text by Luigi Albertelli is protected by copyright, so we will not reproduce it line by line here, but will instead explain the most important images and their meanings.
The Beginning (The Decision). The very first lines set the tone: The singer announces his departure. No long preamble, no accusations—the farewell hangs in the air from the very beginning, calm and resolute.
The Chorus (Leaving). At the heart of it all is the title line, which recurs like an inner resolution. With each repetition, the decision becomes more firm—a feeling turns into a fact, and hesitation turns into a step forward.
The striking turn of phrase (pain and dignity). Reading between the lines, it’s clear that this farewell is painful. The singer isn’t leaving because he no longer loves her, but because staying costs more than leaving. It’s precisely this inner conflict—having to leave even though something is holding him back—that makes the song so moving.
Combined with Drupi’s haunting voice and the gradually building arrangement, a simple gesture of farewell becomes a small drama. It is this arc—from quiet disappointment to the powerful finale—that keeps «Vado via» resonating to this day.
«Vado via» live: Drupi
This TV recording of «Vado via» featuring Drupi shows just how immediate the song feels when it comes not from the studio but from the stage. In this colorful live version, you can really hear what the song is all about: a great melody, a voice that carries all the pain of saying goodbye, and that typical Italian structure that builds in intensity verse by verse.
Listen: Spotify · Apple Music
That's what makes «Vado via» special
- From Failure to Global Success – Hardly any other song embodies this twist quite as well: At the 1973 Sanremo Festival, «Vado via» was eliminated from the competition, but it became a hit abroad. Proof that a jury doesn’t always have the final say.
- Success Beyond Borders – The song made Drupi famous, especially in France and the United Kingdom, and laid the foundation for a career that extended as far as Latin America and Eastern Europe.
- A writing duo with a keen sense – The lyrics and music were written by Luigi Albertelli and Enrico Riccardi, who discovered Drupi and wrote «Vado via»—the perfect dramatic ballad—just for him.
- From Craftsman to Star – The fact that a former plumber from Pavia, nicknamed “Kobold,” became an internationally acclaimed singer is one of the most inspiring rags-to-riches stories in Italian pop music.
So «Vado via» is much more than just the song that failed to make the cut at Sanremo—it’s the track that launched Drupi’s career and remains one of the greatest moments in Italian pop to this day. If you’re in the mood for more great Italian tunes, check out our profile of «L’italiano» by Toto Cutugno or browse through our posts about Italian music.
