If there’s one thing that gives the Maltese even more pleasure than eating pastizzi or complaining about traffic, it’s adding Maltese lyrics to songs. And when we find ourselves among a group of people where everyone knows the amended lyrics (like at every single wedding or water polo match), we literally go ape-shit as chant together in pure glee. So here’s a list of songs we’ve expropriated. We’re sure you can add more to the list.

1. Zombie Nation – U x’ala żobbna min kulħadd mit-Tnejn sal-Ħadd

As if this club classic wasn’t already Maltese enough, we immortalised it in the most Maltese way possible.

2. Madan – My Nanna Cut My Hair 

Skip to 0.37 seconds and replace the chorus with ‘My nanna cut my hair, my nanna cut my hair, I told her don’t you dare, my nanna cut my hair.’

Fun fact: France has its own version of this same song.

3. Zombie – Zobbi

We really can’t hear the word zombie without thinking żobbi, the Maltese word for “my dick”.

4. Felicita – Feliċita

Maltese people love this Al Bano’s classic. But we still wanted our own twist. And it’s peak Malta. 

5. Tarantella – Qaddisin Malta 

Not for the fainthearted. This is a tour de force of blasphemy. Sometimes Malta really delivers.

6. 500 Miles – Tal-Alla

Skip to 2.45, wrap your arms around somebody’s shoulders, and sing: Tal-Alla, Tal-Alla etc etc

7. Bomba – Xommha

This is the original. And this is what should have been the original.

8. Strani Amori – Connie

Another Italian classic turned into a beautiful gem of a Maltese song.

9. Hotel California – Lukanda Kalifornja

This is just a beautiful reminder of what life was like in Malta back in the 1980s.

10. Hey Jude – Literally anything we want it to say

In this case, Sliema. Spot Sean Gravina.

Christmas BONUS: Last Christmas – Biex Tlaqtni Stenejt il-Milied

We don’t understand this either.

Can you think of any more songs that we’ve made our own? List them in the comments below or on Facebook. Let’s create a comprehensive list together. 

READ NEXT: 12 Most Beloved Maltese-Language Songs Of All Time

Chris Peregin

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.