Gazebo – “I Like Chopin”:
Synth-Romance with a Classical Mist That Never Lifts
Released on 4 September 1983, “I Like Chopin” became the signature song of Gazebo — the stage name of Paul Mazzolini — and a defining moment in the rise of Italo disco. With its elegant production, wistful melody, and cosmopolitan glow, the single felt like a love letter whispered through a rain-streaked café window.
Despite the title, it has no direct melodic ties to the music of Frédéric Chopin. But emotionally? It’s right there in that space — melancholic, refined, and deeply romantic.
A Classical Title, a Synth-Pop Heart
Co-written with producer and composer Pierluigi Giombini, the song draws on the atmosphere of Chopin rather than his compositions. Giombini’s classically trained background bleeds into the arrangement: soft minor-key chords, rippling arpeggios, and ethereal synth washes that float behind Gazebo’s smoky vocals.
The result is timeless — a marriage of classical poise and 1980s electronic elegance.
Lyrics: Nostalgia That Hangs in the Air
The lyrics evoke memories and longing: emotional ghosts lingering in the corners of a fading relationship. “Remember that piano / So delightful, unusual…” sets the tone — as if we’re listening through the wall of a dream. The verses are elusive, built on mood more than narrative, but they resonate because of how specific the atmosphere feels: rainy weather, old melodies, and love that lingers like fog.
It’s emotional shorthand for every bittersweet goodbye you ever danced through.
Chart Performance and Global Success
“I Like Chopin” became a pan-European sensation upon its release in 1983. It reached the No. 1 spot in West Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Finland, and Uruguay, cementing its status as a continental smash. In Gazebo’s native Italy, the song peaked at No. 2, maintaining a strong presence in the Top 10 for several weeks. It also performed impressively in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Argentina, where it landed in the Top 5, and reached the Top 10 in Japan — a rare feat for an Italian-language synth-pop track at the time. The song’s melodic appeal and romantic atmosphere helped it transcend language barriers, making it one of the most recognizable and enduring Italo disco hits of the decade.
Enduring Legacy
“I Like Chopin” remains Gazebo’s best-known song and a touchstone of the Italo disco movement. It was widely covered, including a hit Japanese-language version by Asami Kobayashi in 1984, which topped the Oricon chart for three weeks. Its distinctive intro and wistful groove continue to echo through retro playlists and ’80s compilations.
It’s not just a song about loving Chopin — it’s a song about longing itself, dressed in synth and silhouettes.