Il mio canto libero – Lucio Battisti’s masterpiece

Il mio canto libero – A song that still fly and fill the hearts of all Italians

“A true musician isn’t supposed to speak any further about his craft, the emotional message of his music should suffice.”, Lucio Battisti would thus reply to whomever requested an interview with him. Battisti wasn’t just a singer, he was a songwriter, a writer and avant-garde Italian musician. He was aware of the fact that a song is a combination of music and lyrics. Especially his lyrics would touch people’s hearts and minds.
His voice wasn’t perfect, nor his intonation – academically speaking. His vocal range was exceptional, though, he was able to turn his limits into a style. Battisti’s music was about reaching its listeners’ hearts, creating an intimate atmosphere through his singing. Continue reading clicking the below button Next >

His LP Il Mio Canto Libero (My Free Singing) was released in 1972, it was an instant hit and became his most famous record. The lyrics of the title song were written together with songwriter Mogol who imbued it with his personal experiences (going through a divorce and subsequently meeting his new partner).
When you first listen to the song, it gives the impression of being just a simple song, but in Battisti’s case, you must know that there’s always a deeper meaning to the lyrics. The song talks about our world trapped in silence, closed minds refusing to acknowledge thinking, beauty an nobility of soul. But it also sings freely about love and passion for the desired person. This is how Battisti celebrates his love for his woman, who he never actually names, instead uses a collection of personal pronouns until he finally refers to her as “beloved mate”. This love born amidst tears is no less sacred and it will withstand people’s accusations. Love is “new sensations, new feelings that express themselves with purity” while being “accompanied by warm winds of love”. True love makes us experience deeper feelings and true passion. Lovers have been hurt in the past, but they will not give love up for good. Continue reading clicking the below button Next >

Following  the lyrics of the song (translated):

Lyrics
in a world that
doesn’t want us anymore
you are my free singing
and the immensity
opens around us
beyond your eyes boundaries
feeling is born
it’s born amidst tears
and it soars really high and it goes
and it flies over people’s accusations
(it flies) indifferent over its heritage
held up by a love gasp
of true love
in a world that – stones will be houses one day
is a prison – covered by wild roses
we breath free, me and you
and the truth – abandoned woods
it offers herself naked to us and – that’s why they survived
unaltered
and the image is clear – they open
already – they hug us
new sensations
young feelings
they express themselves really pure
through us
ancient ghosts’ veil
falling it leaves the painting immaculate
and a warm wind of love blows
of real love
and I discover you again
sweet mate who
you can’t ask but you know
that whereever you will go
you will have me by your side
if you want it
stones that will be houses one day
covered by wild roses
they live again
hey call us
abandoned woods
and this is why they survived unaltered
they open
they hug us
in a world that
is a prison
we breath free
me and you
and the truth
offers herself naked to us
and the image is clear
already
new sensations
young feelings
they express themselves really pure
through us
ancient ghosts’ veil
falling it leaves the painting immaculate
and a warm wind of love blows
of real love
and I discover you again

Lucia Franco

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