For some reason I've had several messages asking about Gloria. It was originally in Italian by the hugely talented Umberto Tozzi. I heard it on holiday on the black sand beach in Ostia, asked the girl whose radio was playing it for the name of the song (not by then a hit); tracked down a copy at my local retail shop (in Rome's Central Station complex); wrote the British lyric and contacted Tozzi for permission. Then released it; it was a small hit (I gave up on it - shouldn't have; it was a slow grower). Tozzi also released his own English version with my lyric. Three years later my friend Doug Morris tipped off his artiste Laura Brannigan to do a version (sadly she wrote a different lyric). That became a global hit. My version sold quite well in 1979 (about 400,000 globally; vinyl sold in those days, especially on compilation Hits albums by KTel and Ronco) which contributes to my career sale total of over 40 million copies of various recordings.

Not too keen on anyone's version really, not even Tozzi's, even tho as a teenager I was a big fan of his and bought a good few of his albums in the late 70s/early 80s. He's done some really great songs, Gloria was just a bit too bubblegum for me.

I'm surprised you say Gloria wasn't a hit yet when you heard it in Italy. I can only imagine that would be beause it had only just been released, as Tozzi had been big for 3 or 4 years with a handful of hits under his belt, including Ti Amo, which was huge in several countries. When I stayed with a Spanish family on an exchange visit when I was 15, Ti Amo was everywhere.

On each of his albums there are a few hiden gems, which show him as a great songwriter dealing with social issues, and those are my favourites.

But here's 'Ti Amo'

Yes that was exactly what I meant;it may even have been pre release airplay.

By the way, I did buy his version with your lyric

Laura Brannigan covered a couple of other Umberto Tozzi songs, including this one. I like it.

I'd love to hear the Elkie Brooks version of Gloria.

Ah the days of trying to boost records into the charts, I bought this as it had a free single with Una and Moon on it.

Must admit I never knew the lyrics to yours anf hers were different, must play them again.

Had dinner last night with an Italian friend who confirmed how huge Tozzi is in Italy. His Best Of album sold millions - so please pay me my PRS monies!