Riccardo Cocciante, era già tutto previsto | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 112^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “era già tutto previsto” by Riccardo Cocciante.  

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 112^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “era già tutto previsto” performed by Riccardo Cocciante.

“Era già tutto previsto / Fin da quando tu, ballando / Mi hai baciato di nascosto / Mentre lui che non guardava.” The shock 😮! The awe 🫢! Um, what does that mean, exactly 🤔? That’s Italian 🇮🇹, right 😬? In English, those lyrics from the first verse of “Era già tutto previsto” (roughly translates as Everything was already planned or It was already planned), translate as “Everything was already foreseen / Ever since you, dancing / Secretly kissed me / While he who was not looking.” Again, the shock 😮! The awe 🫢! French Italian 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 singer-songwriter Riccardo Cocciante (1946 –  ) unveiled a surefire musical masterpiece to the world in 1975. “Era già tutto previsto” is the fourth track from his album, L’Alba (The Dawn).  Cocciante co-wrote “Era già tutto previsto” with producer Marco Luberti.

“Era già tutto previsto” begins with warm, somber piano accompaniment. Subtle strings gradually enter into the mix, accentuating the warmth. Riccardo Cocciante delivers lovely, romantic vocals. He sings authentically and sincerely, selling it like a champ. You buy every lyric and note that he sings. As the excerpted lyrics from the first verse suggest, matters of the heart play a pivotal role. As the ballad progresses, Cocciante gives his all, delivering one of the most inspired vocal performances you’ll ever hear. Even if you don’t understand a lick of Italian, you hear and appreciate the sheer beauty. The third and final verse is the most dramatic.

“Ho previsto che sarei [I foresaw that I would]

Restato solo in casa mia [Left alone in my house]

E mi butto sopra il letto [And I throw myself on top of the bed]

E mi abbraccio il tuo cuscino [And I hug your pillow]

Non ho saputo prevedere [I could not foresee]

Solo che, però, adesso, io [Only, though, now, I]

Vorrei morire. [Would like to die.]”

The musicianship is superb, from Cocciante’s soaring, gritty vocals to the instrumental arrangement and orchestration. Upping the ante, the musical underpinnings are sophisticated, with a strong harmonic progression, key modulations, and clever music cues from start to finish. If you have never experienced the musical glory and rewarding experience that is “Era già tutto previsto”, then you are missing out.  This song is simply beautiful. Timeless!