At the beginning the band, made up of ten musicians, was mostly influenced by Balkan traditions, playing such well-known tunes as "Hava Nagila", "Ale Brider", and "Odessa Bulgarish", but very soon the approach to the old traditional tunes became much more unusual and distinctive, because the musicians have their own musical backgrounds, very different each fom the other. For example the whole wind section of Municipale Balcanica learnt to play in the old brass band of the little town they live in. Their style is perhaps best represented by the original compositions, mainly written by jazz-pianist Livio Minafra.
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Arlecchino
Municipale Balcanica Lyrics
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sempre goffo sempre buffo rappresenta una scommessa
quel bambino che c'è in noi che alla vita crede ancora
lui la vita la ricerca, la colora e la ricicla
Non dico altro, non aggiungo altro
vado all'energia, ascoltate mia follia
Pazzi tutti pazzi quelli normali,
rinverdire, riscoprire, rivedere, riascoltarsi
il mondo a testa in giù funziona:
valore, amore, spiritualità, omeopatia, slow food,
non violenza, identità, diversità,
gratitudine, natura, gli occhi dei bambini
The lyrics of "Arlecchino" by Municipale Balcanica are an invitation to embrace the innocence and playfulness of life that is embodied by the character of Arlecchino, a commedia dell'arte figure known for his acrobatic skills and comic pranks. Arlecchino, or Harlequin in English, is described as a sly clown who laughs at the devil's drama, always clumsy and funny, representing a bet. This bet seems to be about holding onto the childlike belief in life and its possibilities, something that Arlecchino embodies. He searches for life, colors it, and recycles it, showing that everything has value and can be repurposed.
The lyrics then transition into a plea to listen to the singer's madness and energy, which seems to be rooted in the belief that normalcy is madness. The "crazy" things in life, such as rediscovering oneself, embracing differences, and finding gratitude in nature, are the things that give life value and meaning. The singer is asking the listener to join in on this madness and to see the world upside down, where values such as love, spirituality, and non-violence are what truly matter.
Overall, the lyrics of "Arlecchino" are a call to embrace life in all its colorful and playful glory, to see the world through the eyes of a child, and to reject the norms of society in favor of a more authentic existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Arlecchino il sornione ride al dramma del demonio
Arlecchino, the sly one, laughs at the devil's drama; he always acts clumsily and foolishly, showing a calculated risk.
sempre goffo sempre buffo rappresenta una scommessa
He always acts clumsily and foolishly, showing a calculated risk.
quel bambino che c'è in noi che alla vita crede ancora
Arlecchino represents the child in us that still believes in life.
lui la vita la ricerca, la colora e la ricicla
Arlecchino searches for life, brings color to it, and recycles its essence.
Non dico altro, non aggiungo altro
I won't say anything more, I won't add anything more.
vado all'energia, ascoltate mia follia
I am going with the energy, listen to my madness.
Pazzi tutti pazzi quelli normali,
Everyone is crazy, except for the normal ones.
rinverdire, riscoprire, rivedere, riascoltarsi
To revive, rediscover, review, and listen to oneself.
il mondo a testa in giù funziona:
The world works upside-down:
valore, amore, spiritualità, omeopatia, slow food,
with value, love, spirituality, homeopathy, and slow food,
non violenza, identità, diversità,
non-violence, identity, diversity,
gratitudine, natura, gli occhi dei bambini
gratitude, nature, and the child's eyes.
Writer(s): Jaksa Fiamengo, Zdenko Runjic, Stjepan Kalogjera
Contributed by Madison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.