# On This Day in 1960, Brenda Lee Hit No. 1 With an English-Language Adaptation of a Song Originally Written for Italy’s Biggest Music Festival

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/on-this-day-in-1960-brenda-lee-hit-no-1-with-an-english-language-adaptation-of-a-song-originally-written-for-italys-biggest-music-festival/
- Published: 2026-10-24T17:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-24T18:24:54+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/on-this-day-in-1960-brenda-lee-hit-no-1-with-an-english-language-adaptation-of-a-song-originally-written-for-italys-biggest-music-festival/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Europe, Music, World

## Key points

- Brenda Lee’s “I Want to Be Wanted” topped the Hot 100 in 1960.
- The song was adapted from an Italian festival entry.
- It was Lee’s last No. 1 until 2023.

## Summary

Brenda Lee’s “I Want to Be Wanted” reached No. 1 on the US Hot 100 on 24 October 1960. The song began as an Italian entry for the Sanremo music festival, and Lee’s English-language recording brought its melody to a much wider audience.

Lee heard “Per Tutta la Vita” while touring Europe and sought out its writers, Pino Spotti and Alberto Testa, to obtain the lyrics. Kim Gordon wrote the English version; Lee recorded it in March 1960 and released it in July. It was her second No. 1 single that year and her last chart-topper until “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” reached No. 1 in 2023.

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