L'unghia
Adriano Modica Lyrics
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stasera la luna sembra un'unghia
sangue
stasera mi sono fatto sangue
le parole blu di notte sono bianche
il silenzio è fatto a schegge di luce
sembrano formiche
e il cinque è rosso sangue
che scherzo è
ora c'è la guerra
è colpa mia
un'unghia
stasera la luna sembra un'unghia
sangue
stasera la luna perde sangue
Adriano Modica's song "L'unghia" explores themes of vulnerability, transformation, and existential reflection, interweaving vivid imagery with a sense of impending conflict. The lyrics open with the striking metaphor of the moon represented as a fingernail, suggesting fragility and a sense of impermanence. The fingernail, often a symbol of something small yet significant in our experience, illustrates the delicate nature of both human emotions and celestial beauty. The moon, traditionally a symbol of mystery and calm, here takes on a more unsettling portrayal, hinting at a shift in perception or emotional state. This visual is paired with the word "sangue" (blood), which introduces a raw, visceral element that contrasts with the gentleness of the moon imagery, implying an internal struggle or wound.
As the song progresses, the phrases “le parole blu di notte sono bianche” (the blue words of the night are white) suggests a change in communication and meaning, implying that what once felt profound and melancholic in nighttime reflection has transformed into something stark and empty. Here, the use of colors—blue typically associated with sadness and introspection, and white signaling purity or emptiness—portrays an emotional desaturation. The reference to silence and “schegge di luce” (shards of light) paints a fragmented reality where peace breaks apart into disjointed thoughts and sensations. The imagery of ants, perhaps symbolizing the minutiae of daily struggles, aligns with the notion of perseverance and effort, even when faced with darkness or blindness to one’s surroundings. It suggests a yearning for clarity or understanding but reveals only the struggle itself.
The lyric “ora c'è la guerra” (now there is war) marks a pivot in the song—a sudden realization or confrontation with conflict. The artist acknowledges guilt with “è colpa mia” (it’s my fault), taking responsibility for the chaos. This guilt adds a personal dimension to the broader theme of conflict, which mirrors the internal struggle previously expressed. The war could symbolize various forms of struggle—be it societal, emotional, or existential—pitting the singer against themselves or against larger forces of fate. This acknowledgment of culpability conveys a feeling of helplessness and the burden of recognizing one’s role in the creation of turmoil, whether it be personal relationships or a more abstract war against one’s psyche.
The repetition of the phrases "un'unghia" and "la luna perde sangue" seems to deepen the feeling of hopelessness and resignation. There's an almost mythical quality presented; the moon's loss of blood suggests a diminishing of vitality and a heightened sense of decay or sadness permeating through the night. These lines reinforce the vulnerability introduced earlier, intertwining the celestial with the corporeal. Through this imagery, Modica captures a sense of despair, emphasizing how beauty can yield to pain and sorrow. The song ultimately resonates with the cyclical nature of struggle and loss, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences of conflict, whether externally or internally, in an atmosphere laden with both beauty and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
un'unghia
a singular nail, possibly representing fragility or something small yet significant in the grand scheme of things.
stasera la luna sembra un'unghia
tonight, the moon appears sharp and pointed like a fingernail, suggesting an unsettling beauty or a sense of vulnerability in the vastness.
sangue
blood, symbolizing life, pain, or sacrifice, providing a juxtaposition to the earlier imagery.
stasera mi sono fatto sangue
tonight, I have inflicted wounds upon myself, indicating self-harm or emotional turmoil that comes from within.
le parole blu di notte sono bianche
the nighttime's blue words transform into white, illustrating the shift from dark thoughts to clarity or truth under the moon's glow.
il silenzio è fatto a schegge di luce
the silence is fragmented into shards of light, suggesting that amidst quietude, there exists a brilliance or insight that pierces through the darkness.
sembrano formiche
they appear as ants, perhaps reflecting collective struggles or the insignificance of individual battles in a larger context.
come quelle dello sforzo ad occhi chiusi
like those of effort performed with closed eyes, indicating toil and determination that is blind to the obstacles ahead.
e il cinque è rosso sangue
and the number five is drenched in blood, evoking connotations of danger, violence, or a pivotal moment in time that changes everything.
che scherzo è
what a cruel joke this is, a lament on the absurdity and tragedy of life as it unfolds.
ora c'è la guerra
now there is war, expressing chaos and conflict, both externally in the world and internally within oneself.
è colpa mia
it is my fault, an admission of guilt or responsibility for the turmoil, acknowledging one’s role in the chaos around them.
un'unghia
a singular nail, again hinting at the delicate and often overlooked aspects of existence.
stasera la luna sembra un'unghia
tonight, the moon again resembles a fingernail, echoing the initial imagery of sharp beauty and fragility.
sangue
blood, still depicting life, pain, and the human condition as an ongoing theme.
stasera la luna perde sangue
tonight, the moon bleeds, suggesting a loss of purity or light, reflecting the despair that pervades the evening.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adriano Modica
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind