Italian Nights

## Aurora singles chronology

"**Italian Nights**" is a song by Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Aurora. It was released on November 28, 2014 as the third single from Aurora's debut studio album, *Platinum Heart* (2015).

## Background and composition

After experiencing rising success with her prior singles "Without You Now" and "Whirlwind", Aurora knew the simple life she once had was all but left in her past. Although excited for her future, Aurora began reminiscing about a previous summer fling while vacationing in Italy: "It only lasted a few weeks, but they were the best weeks of my life," Aurora revealed to *Mode* magazine, "Something about knowing that we'd likely never see each other again made it all so much more passionate." Reliving this moment of her past inspired Aurora to record her next single.

"Italian Nights" is composed as an indie pop song, with elements of Italian folk. Akin to prior success "Whirlwind", it explores an intense romance in an idyllic Italian setting. "Italy really was as beautiful as they say," Aurora reminisced in a radio interview, "and finding that special someone to share those Italian nights with made it all the more magical." Structurally, the song utilises an extended length and five verses to showcase an intimate storytelling style of songwriting, with shifting pre-choruses and choruses in order to symbolise the intensifying affair.

## Critical reception

"Italian Nights" became the most acclaimed single of the era, with critics commending its storytelling lyricism and themes of nostalgia.

It received a rating of 8.667 by Platvian music critics.

## Commercial performance

"Italian Nights" debuted and peaked at #1 on the Platvia HitList chart dated December 9, 2014. It became Aurora's first #1 song on the Platvia HitList.

## Lyrics

It was a hot summer's morning the first time that I saw your face
And the winds from the ocean had put your hair all out of place
From behind your gold rimmed sunglasses, swore you were looking at me
But I shrugged it off and told myself that it could never be
Still there was just something about you that I couldn't quite describe
Telling me to get to know you, so I thought I'd better try
I didn't really understand it, but I didn't really care
Because you were just so captivating behind your Polaroid stare
**First Pre-Chorus**
But I wouldn't let myself believe, that you could be the one
Not now and not ever, because soon enough you would be gone
**First Chorus**
Yet still I fantasized that you were feeling something too
And you couldn't wait to get me alone underneath the moon
Because we didn't have forever, and for us the end was near
But it's just imagination; to me at least that much was clear
But if we could we'd sneak out, somewhere nobody would know
Just you and I together underneath the moonlight's glow
And in that moment every little thing would be alright
The rest of our lives wouldn't matter, on those Italian nights
**Second Verse**
So a whole week went by and I knew all about your life
Like how you loved playing the piano and could also sing alright
But still you didn't tell me everything there was to know
Until one starry night on the coast of Sorrento
You confessed to me a secret no one else had known before
And you thought that I'd be angry, but I wasn't and I swore
That I would keep your secret safe, and then I told you mine as well
And in the comfort of my bed I knew that you would never tell
**Second Pre-Chorus**
At first I wouldn't let myself believe, that you could be the one
But then I felt that possibly our moment would soon come
**Second Chorus**
Because I fantasized that you were feeling something too
And you couldn't wait to get me alone underneath the moon
Because we didn't have forever, and for us the end was near
Was it just imagination? For me now nothing was clear
But I hoped that we could sneak out, somewhere nobody would know
Just you and I together underneath the moonlight's glow
And in that moment every little thing would be alright
The rest of our lives wouldn't matter, on those Italian nights
**Third Verse**
Another week went by, and things were getting quite intense
You talked about your feelings and mine were mutually immense
I knew that things were heating up, and you knew they were too
Something was bound to happen, but I didn't know just what we'd do
Then one night under Florence stars, we decided to meet
Just you and I up on a balcony overlooking the street
That's when the stars aligned above and we came together as one
Your lips on mine at last, it felt like I'd finally won
**Third Pre-Chorus**
To think I wouldn't let myself believe, that you could be the one
But in that moment all was right and nothing could be wrong
**Third Chorus**
At first I fantasized that you were feeling something too
And you couldn't wait to get me alone underneath the moon
Because we didn't have forever, and for us the end was near
No longer imagination, for that moment was finally here
Because on that night we snuck out, somewhere nobody would know
Just you and I together underneath the moonlight's glow
And in that moment every little thing was just alright
The rest of our lives didn't matter, on those Italian nights
**Fourth Verse**
But it couldn't last forever, for that much I knew for sure
Even though you said you loved me, I still knew you were my flaw
But I didn't want to leave you without saying one last goodbye
So on our last night together, we met up one final time
And just like that first night in Florence, when we came together as one
I pulled you in and held you for the last time in my arms
I pushed you up against the wall, and fell in love again
If only for that moment, but then it all had to end
**Fifth Verse**
We said our final goodbyes, with one last eternal kiss
And even on reflection I can still taste you on my lips
For that may be the last time that we're ever face-to-face
But the memories we gave each other will never be replaced
I was your first and you were mine, and that can never change
And maybe one day you and I will finally meet again
But until then I'll picture the first time I lay my sight
Upon your lips I'd later kiss, on those... on those Italian nights

## Live performances

"Italian Nights" was included in the setlist for Aurora's debut concert tour, The Heartstorm Tour. It was performed as the final track during the tour's first act, titled "Pleasure", being the fifth performance overall.

## Re-recorded version

Following her split from Red Rose Records in 2020, "Italian Nights" was re-recorded for Aurora's album *Platinum Heart: Deluxe* (2021).