Heavily influenced by his idol, Elvis Presley, and the 1950s rock revolution, he is also known as the most famous dancer of the Hula hoop fad. For the last 40 years he has retained his popularity in Italy, selling millions of records and appearing in numerous TV shows and movies (including a short appearance in Fellini's La Dolce Vita, before becoming a famous artist). In the latter respect, he has also been a creator of a comic genre, with his characteristic walking and his facial expressions. For the most part, his films were commercially successful, in fact in the 1970s and part of the 1980s, he was the king of the Italian box office in low budget movies. As an actor, critics point to Serafino (1968), directed by Pietro Germi, as his best effort.
As a director he frequently casts Ornella Muti, Eleonora Giorgi and his wife Claudia Mori. His best movie like director is "Yuppi Du", winner of The Golden Palm at Cannes Festival. He and Claudia are the parents of Rosita, Rosalinda and Vincent Celentano, the latter most notable to worldwide audiences for playing the Satan character in Mel Gibson`s The Passion of the Christ. He also works often as a host for several Italian television shows.
His 1968 song "Azzurro" has regained popularity in 2006, due to it being the anthem of the Italian national football team (the Azzurri) who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The artist Vincent Fiorello has also created a remix of the song.
His last concert-event in 2012, after 18 years without live performances, was transmitted on Canale 5, with over 9 million viewers both evenings.
Bel giovane
Adriano Celentano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Su non fingere
Bel giovane cha aspetti
non puoi piu fingere ormai
hanno lasciato a te l'ultima mossa
il mondo sta cadendo e tu lo sai
su non fingere di dormir
E questo il momento
che puoi capire chi sei
e ritrovare la tua identita
che per questo hai condannato i tuoi
Su non fingere di dormir
su non fingere di dormir
su non fingere di dormir
Tu credi nel nulla
perche non sei una star
in questo mondo di protagonisti
e con la coca ti illudi
che il vuoto se ne va
Su non fingere di dormir
su non fingere di dormir
Se quelli che governano sono sporchi
e perche sei sporco prima tu
e non venirmi a dir
e non venirmi a dir
che il buon esempio deve venir dall'alto
il marcio e gia nel popolo
e tu lo sai
Su non fingere di dormir
su non fingere di dormir
...............
Bel giovane ascolta
non indugiare di piu
se vuoi uscire dal
buio che ti circonda
semina fra la gente l'onesta
E il sole risorgera
E il sole risorgera
...............
The song "Bel Giovane" by Adriano Celentano talks about a young man who can no longer pretend to be someone he's not. The lyrics encourage him to stop pretending to sleep, to wake up and see the reality around him. The verse "Il mondo sta cadendo e tu lo sai" (The world is falling and you know it) gives a sense of urgency to the message in the song. It's a call to action to take responsibility for his life and to find his identity.
The lyrics also criticize the use of drugs, specifically cocaine, as a way to escape from reality. Celentano sings "E con la coca ti illudi, che il vuoto se ne va" (And with cocaine, you deceive yourself, that the emptiness goes away) letting the listener know that using drugs is not the way to deal with his problems. The song encourages him to face his problems and to be honest with himself and others around him.
The song's message about honesty, integrity and taking responsibility for one's actions, was very relevant during the time it was released, in 1976, and is still relevant today. With his unique vocal style and rock and roll sound, Adriano Celentano was able to deliver a strong, memorable and timeless message with this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Su non fingere
Do not pretend or deceive
Bel giovane cha aspetti
Dear young man, what are you waiting for?
non puoi piu fingere ormai
You cannot pretend anymore
hanno lasciato a te l'ultima mossa
They have left the final move up to you
il mondo sta cadendo e tu lo sai
The world is falling and you know it
Su non fingere di dormir
Do not pretend to sleep
E questo il momento
This is the moment
che puoi capire chi sei
When you can understand who you are
e ritrovare la tua identita
And rediscover your identity
che per questo hai condannato i tuoi
That's why you have condemned the ones you love
Tu credi nel nulla
You believe in nothing
perche non sei una star
Because you are not a star
in questo mondo di protagonisti
In this world of protagonists
e con la coca ti illudi
And with cocaine, you deceive yourself
che il vuoto se ne va
That the emptiness will go away
Se quelli che governano sono sporchi
If those who govern are dirty
e perche sei sporco prima tu
It's because you are dirty first
e non venirmi a dir
Don't come and tell me
che il buon esempio deve venir dall'alto
That the good example should come from above
il marcio e gia nel popolo
The rottenness is already in the people
Bel giovane ascolta
Dear young man, listen
non indugiare di piu
Don't hesitate anymore
se vuoi uscire dal
If you want to get out of
buio che ti circonda
The darkness that surrounds you
semina fra la gente l'onesta
Sow honesty among the people
E il sole risorgera
And the sun will rise again
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.