For centuries, whistling has been part of everyday life and served very practical purposes. Shepherds, farmers, fishermen, workers, and children used it long before it became a recognizable feature of popular music or film soundtracks. People would whistle to call someone across a field, to recall a shepherd dog to attention, or simply to pass the time while working.
Whistling is important in Italian music, too, and not because you can use it to “play” your favorite summer hits. Thanks to its natural connotations and recognizability, it became central in many songs, either in their lyrics or as a real musical instrument.
