With songs such as “Felicità,” “Sempre Sempre,” “Sharazan,” and “Ci sarà,” Romina Power and Al Bano Carrisi shaped an era and won over millions of listeners worldwide during the 1970s and 1980s. Decades later, however, the singer has sparked debate in Italy after making critical remarks about the very song that became the defining anthem of her career. In a recent interview, Romina Power revealed that she had already considered “Felicità” to be “banal” at the time of its release in 1982, and that she initially did not want to perform it.
The statement surprised many fans, given that the song went on to become one of the duo’s greatest hits and earned second place at the Sanremo Music Festival that year. Power explained that the music she recorded with Al Bano was never truly her personal style, nor the kind of music she listened to privately. She made these comments while speaking with host Alessandro Cattelan on his podcast Supernova, where she reflected on her artistic journey and the compromises that accompanied international success.
Her remarks triggered strong reactions in Italy. Popi Minellono, the lyricist of “Felicità,” openly criticized Power, arguing that her words were unfair to both the public and to a song that played a decisive role in her popularity. He defended the track as a cornerstone of the duo’s musical legacy during a television appearance. Loredana Lecciso, Al Bano’s current partner, also weighed in, describing Power’s distancing from the song as difficult to understand.
She compared it to “turning one’s back on a global anthem,” a comment that further fueled media discussion around the issue. Romina Power later addressed the controversy on Instagram, clarifying that her use of the word “banal” was not meant as an insult. She said it referred to something ordinary or simple, and criticized the fact that a single word had been taken out of a longer conversation to provoke debate. “That is neither fair nor professional,” she wrote.
At the same time, Power emphasized that she still enjoys performing “Felicità.” She explained that the joy she sees in the audience continues to move her, and that her connection to the song remains positive, even if her artistic perspective has evolved over time. Al Bano and Romina Power remain one of Italy’s most iconic musical duos. Married from 1970 until their separation in 1999, they shared a career filled with international success.
Although Al Bano continued as a solo artist after their divorce, the pair have reunited on stage on several occasions since 2013, reminding audiences that their shared musical legacy endures beyond controversy.
