September carries with it that air of change that feels like a new beginning: school starting again, work filling up the days, projects paused over the summer waiting to be picked up once more. In this moment of transition, what’s needed is a soundtrack that brings both energy and lightness—and Vivere la vita by Mannarino is the perfect song to accompany the restart. The track is suitable not only for adults, but also for children—even those who don’t yet know Italian well: the child’s voice singing it, with its endearingly soft “r,” helps them “tune their ear” in a natural and playful way.
The song itself has a special story: in 2011, for his collaboration with artist Valerio Berruti, Mannarino composed Vivere la vita, sung by a child and written specifically for La rivoluzione terrestre, the art installation by the renowned painter and sculptor from Piedmont. Since then, it has become one of the Roman singer-songwriter’s most beloved pieces, precisely because of its unique blend of lightness, poetry, and depth.
The song stands out for its infectious rhythm and the feel of a folk celebration, with instruments and arrangements that evoke the atmosphere of a collective dance. From the very first lines, the heart of the message shines through: “Live life without ever worrying about how it will turn out,” a phrase that resonates like a manifesto for facing both small and big daily challenges with serenity.
It’s no surprise that Vivere la vita is one of Ocarina’s favorite songs. Sung in the voice of a child, it immediately feels familiar to little listeners. At the same time, it seems to speak to adults too, inviting them to truly grow up—with maturity and awareness. The lyrics, both profound and ironic, manage to reach across ages, leaving messages that linger.
In a month like September, when going back to the routine can feel demanding, listening to Vivere la vita transforms the restart into a moment of celebration. It’s the perfect song to slip into a schoolbag alongside new notebooks, or into your headphones as you head back to school or the office.
