From Immigrant's Dream to Viral Phenomenon: Gianluca Zanna's "Wake Up America" Reaches Nearly 15 Million Views on TikTok and Lands Pulitzer Prize-Winning Radio Placement
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- 2 days ago
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Title Track Written in 2005 as Citizenship Celebration Now Climbs to #2 on TikTok Charts, Featured in 100,000 Unique Videos, and Licensed for Award-Winning "This American Life"
LOS ANGELES, CA – International songwriter and music producer Gianluca Zanna's composition "Wake Up America" has been licensed for use on "This American Life," one of the most celebrated public radio programs in broadcasting history. But the remarkable success story doesn't end there—the patriotic anthem has exploded into a viral sensation, reaching nearly 15 million views on TikTok, climbing to #2 on the TikTok charts, and being featured in nearly 100,000 TikTok videos.
Written in 2005 upon receiving his American citizenship, "Wake Up America" was Zanna's heartfelt thank-you letter to his adopted country. Twenty years later, the song has found its moment, resonating powerfully across generations and political divides.
"This American Life," which reaches more than 3 million listeners weekly through podcast downloads and broadcasts on over 500 public radio stations across the United States, as well as stations in Canada and Australia, will feature Zanna's evocative track in episode 309: Cat and Mouse. The program, known for its innovative storytelling and cultural impact, has garnered numerous accolades including seven Peabody Awards and the distinction of being the first radio show or podcast ever awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
From Broken Family to American Dream
Gianluca Zanna's journey to this moment reads like a Hollywood screenplay. Born in Italy and raised in a broken family, he survived the rigid discipline of boarding school and military academy, where music became his lifeline.
At 11, he taught himself instruments from abandoned equipment in an attic. By 16, he entered one of the world's oldest military academies. He later became a certified Krav Maga Black Belt Military Instructor trained in Israel and worked as an executive protection specialist.
Through it all, he held onto his dream of America—and at age 30, that dream came true. The song "Wake Up America" was born from that moment of profound gratitude.
A Song for Today
"Wake Up America" has become a viral sensation, featured in nearly 100,000 TikTok videos and resonating with Americans across the political spectrum. The track's powerful message of awareness and unity has struck a chord with creators from all backgrounds, proving that genuine artistic expression transcends partisan divides.
"Having 'Wake Up America' featured on such a prestigious and influential platform as 'This American Life' is an incredible honor," said Zanna. "But seeing millions of Americans embrace this song I wrote as a love letter to my new country—that's beyond anything I could have visualized."
Today, Gianluca Zanna is the CEO of Zanna Records (ZannaRecords.com), with over 120 published songs spanning pop, rock, EDM, and classical genres. His latest productions are mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Brian Reeves, known for work with Donna Summer and U2.
Listen to the episode: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/309/cat-and-mouse/act-one-0
For more information, interviews, or high-resolution photos:
Gianluca Zanna ZannaRecords.com www.gianlucazanna.com
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