Battito muto in ¾
Adriano Modica Lyrics
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pantomima e insegnare ad ascoltare
scegli
non hai scelta
matita rossa sui tuoi primi voli
nelle orecchie voci diventate grandi
giorni murati vivi in castelli di sabbia
l'abitudine è venuta a sorprenderci tutti
e non ti ha detto niente
prima che tu te ne accorga
il tempo logora ogni attesa
passi lenti del tempo
la sveglia avvicina domani
sempre meno sonno per scappare
coraggio di vetro antico
lei cielo vuoto dei tuoi domani
il caso ha cattivo gusto
tra notti e lenzuola bello diventare grandi
ma quando arriva il giorno non piace più
un regalo una promessa guardando per terra
per rimediare a sensi di colpa venuti male
per le acrobazie che fai col viso pochi applausi
intorno a te tutto è silenzio
di una morte ad occhi aperti
The lyrics of Adriano Modica's song "Battito muto in ¾" convey a sense of detachment and emptiness. The opening lines, "freddo e facce in controluce" (cold and faces in backlight), depict a cold and distant atmosphere where people are hiding their true emotions. It suggests a facade or pantomime where one is teaching others to listen without really being heard themselves.
The phrase "scegli, non hai scelta" (choose, you have no choice) indicates a lack of agency or control in the situation. It implies a feeling of being trapped or constrained, as if someone else has already made decisions for you. The mention of a red pencil on your first flights signifies a marking of beginnings and the presence of influential voices in your ears, shaping your perception as you grow older.
The line "giorni murati vivi in castelli di sabbia" (days walled alive in sand castles) suggests a fragility and transience in life. It conveys the idea that habits and routines can unexpectedly surprise and envelop us, isolating us from the outside world. The reference to someone already choosing teams without informing you adds to the feeling of exclusion and the lack of control over one's life.
The next paragraph speaks of the passage of time and its eroding effect on expectations. "Prima che tu te ne accorga, il tempo logora ogni attesa" (Before you realize it, time erodes every expectation) highlights how time can wear down the hope or anticipation we may have had. It emphasizes a sense of resignation and a growing awareness of the limited nature of our existence.
The lyrics continue with the imagery of a slow passage of time and the alarm clock bringing tomorrow closer. This suggests a repetitive cycle of days without much fulfillment or joy. The mention of having less and less sleep to escape adds to the feeling of running away from something or trying to avoid facing reality. The courage referenced as "coraggio di vetro antico" (ancient glass courage) implies a fragility in one's ability to face challenges or confront the future.
The line "lei cielo vuoto dei tuoi domani" (she empty sky of your tomorrows) expresses a disappointment or disillusionment in the idea of the future. It implies that what was once seen as promising or full of potential has now become empty or void. The reference to a "regalo una promessa guardando per terra" (a gift, a promise looking at the ground) indicates missed opportunities or attempts to make up for mistakes that have not gone well. The mention of acrobatics with the face receiving few applause suggests a lack of recognition or appreciation for one's efforts.
Lastly, the reference to "intorno a te tutto è silenzio di una morte ad occhi aperti" (around you, everything is the silence of an open-eyed death) portrays a sense of profound loneliness and isolation. It suggests a state of existence where one is alive but feels spiritually dead, as if surrounded by a deafening silence that represents the absence of meaningful connections or purpose.
Overall, the lyrics of "Battito muto in ¾" evoke a sense of disillusionment, confinement, and loneliness. They explore themes of lost agency, the passage of time, and the disappointment in unfulfilled expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
freddo e facce in controluce
Cold and faces in backlight
pantomima e insegnare ad ascoltare
Pantomime and teaching to listen
scegli
Choose
non hai scelta
You have no choice
matita rossa sui tuoi primi voli
Red pencil on your first flights
nelle orecchie voci diventate grandi
Voices grown in your ears
giorni murati vivi in castelli di sabbia
Days walled alive in sand castles
l'abitudine è venuta a sorprenderci tutti
Habit has come to surprise us all
qualcuno ha già fatto le squadre
Someone has already formed the teams
e non ti ha detto niente
And didn't tell you anything
prima che tu te ne accorga
Before you realize it
il tempo logora ogni attesa
Time wears out every expectation
passi lenti del tempo
Slow steps of time
la sveglia avvicina domani
The alarm clock brings tomorrow closer
sempre meno sonno per scappare
Less and less sleep to escape
coraggio di vetro antico
Courage of ancient glass
lei cielo vuoto dei tuoi domani
She, the empty sky of your tomorrows
il caso ha cattivo gusto
Chance has bad taste
tra notti e lenzuola bello diventare grandi
Between nights and sheets, it's nice to grow up
ma quando arriva il giorno non piace più
But when the day comes, it's no longer enjoyable
un regalo una promessa guardando per terra
A gift, a promise, looking down
per rimediare a sensi di colpa venuti male
To make up for guilt that turned out wrong
per le acrobazie che fai col viso pochi applausi
For the acrobatics you do with your face, few applause
intorno a te tutto è silenzio
Around you, everything is silence
di una morte ad occhi aperti
Of an open-eyed death
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adriano Modica
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind