When I read the OP, since it was talking about the fascination of Italians with American culture at the time, I was surprised it didn't include a bit about the

When I read the OP, since it was talking about the fascination of Italians with American culture at the time, I was surprised it didn't include a bit about the barrage of Italian covers of English/American songs from the time. For example, besides the song you were looking for, Celentano himself did a cover for Stand by Me (Pregherò), which is a really weird Christian-themed take on the original.