He started composing lyrics in the late 1960s, becoming a usual collaborator of Mino Reitano, and writing hits such as Dik Dik's "L'isola di Wight" and Nomadi's "Io vagabondo".

In 1977 his song "Bella da morire", performed by Homo Sapiens, won the Sanremo Music Festival.

[1][2] In the 1980s Salerno started a long collaboration with Mango, contributing to the lyrics of successful songs such as "Lei verrà" and "La rosa dell'inverno", and co-wrote Eros Ramazzotti's first hit, "Terra promessa".

His collaborations also include Zucchero Fornaciari, Mina, Marcella Bella, Nino Buonocore, and Syria.

[1][2] In 2001, Salerno wrote the lyrics for the songs of the animation film Aida of the Trees.