Italian born, Bernardo… Read Full Bio ↴From http://www.bernardolanzettifansclub.com/
Italian born, Bernardo Lanzetti went to school and graduated in Texas as an A.F.S. student. Back in Italy, he formed "Acqua Fragile", a rock progressive band and released in 1973 an album by the same name followed by "Mass Media Stars" in 1974.
Bernardo, lead vocal and guitar, was responsible for the English lyrics and for most of the music and arrangements. Critics, at the time, found his vocals reminiscent of Roger Chapman and Peter Gabriel.
In '75, Bernardo was called to join P.F.M., to record "Chocolate Kings", "Jet Lag" and to be the band's front man on tours in Japan, U.K., Canada and U.S.A.
Lanzetti went solo in '79 and, in the following years, he was in London, at Vangelis studio, to record with British musicians like Clive Bunker(Jethro Tull), John Perry (Caravan), as well as Steve Simpson, Frank Ricotti and lan Carr.
After the London years, the Artist started to develop his very personal approach to electronics. Always working around his voice and through his live performing, Bernardo Lanzetti has been testing and developing fine machines like the Fairlight Voice-Tracker (pitch and character-to-midi), ending up to invent a unique device he called "Glovox", a glove that placed on his throat, picks up vibrations to be processed as an eclectic mono instrument.
In the meantime, he started his experience in Theatre, singing leading roles in oratorio productions of: "The Three Pennies Opera" (K.Weill, B.Brecht), "Porgy and Bess" (G.Ghershwin) and "Polifemo"-a modern opera performed at the Teatro Regio in Parma. With the Toscanini Orchestra, in '92, Lanzetti was Tony in L.Bernestein's "West Side Story"and, in'96, played Jago in "Mr.O", a new opera by G.Gaslini inspired by Shakespeare's Othello.
With "Teatro Arsenale" in Milan, in 1997 the Artist wrote the music for a play created after Allen Ginsberg's poem "Kaddish" and performed it on stage.
"Christmas in the World" is a collection of classic and original Christmas songs performed by Bernardo Lanzetti along with Opera singers like soprano Cecila Gasdia and baritone Michele Pertusi.
"Cover Live", a live album recorded in 1997, gives perfect picture of B.L. performing with his band. Famous Rock, Blues, Soul, Progressive songs and interaction with audience are featured on a tight, no tricks, true recording.
"I Sing The Voice Impossible", released in 1998, is a very special collection of studio tracks that comes out after many years of dedicated writing, vocals & electronics research and experimentation.
Recorded over 4 years, arranged and produced by Dario Mazzoli, this work is very innovating as the voice of the Artist is featured as subject (writer), object (performer) and "controller", affecting electronic instruments on the tracks through the help of special devices like the Glovox.
"Master Poets", released by Tring-records in spring 99, is a tribute to the poetry of great singer-song writers.
Ten compositions by major Artists like B.Dylan, T. Waits, J. Mitchell, L. Cohen, N. Young, B. Springsteen as well as L. George (Little Feat) G. Nash (C.S.&N.) and J. Hendrix are kindly revisited and highly performed by Bernardo Lanzetti who also wrote three originals motivated by and related to Poetry. Arranged by D. Mazzoli.
Bernardo Lanzetti "The Best" is his latest release. It features new recordings of material dated from 1975 to 1999! P.F.M. compositions, songs taken off his _ solo albums, live shows and experimentation plus two brand new, original compositions comes with an 8 page-booklet with photos and official Bio.
In 2000 and 2001 Bernardo Lanzetti writes and performs on stage music for “Mr Burroughs/Mr Bladerunner, a drama by Teatro Arsenale after Mr Burroughs writings. The vocalist also acts in the role of some sort of a “Virus Assistant”.
With the band “Extra” the artist performs in clubs and town-squares.
Very active in permanent fights against arrogance in the music business in 2000, Bernardo Lanzetti has won an important battle concerning his share of royalties for the three studio album with P.F.M.
Recently have been published Giorgio Gaslini Song Book Volume 1 and Volume 2 featuring Bernardo as one of the performing solo singer.
After the 2004 "EXTRA" Summer Tour, Mr. Lanzetti has been working on paintings and music for his studio party in November. On the occasion, the little orchestra with A. Nidi on piano, M. Ferraguti on clarinet and percussions, Stefania Rava vocalista has been successfully performing songs out of the most famous musicals.
On the "Prog" side, Bemardo has been recording vocals for "Arti e Mestieri" performing new versions of their fìrst compositions and with "Beggar's Fanrr has started a new series of concerts with a strictly '70 repertoire.
Lyrics for "Mangala Vailis" new Concept have been completed and the Artist is truly excited about his work and all its implications.
Recordings in studio with Mangala Vallis are still taking place as the album is due for the beginning of next. May.
Bernardo Lanzetti is the first Italian vocalist to be mentioned in the American Rock Encyclopedia. He successfully achieved playing 12 gigs on the same day in 12 different venues in Milan in 1982. He had been chosen, at the time, to translate in Italian the lyrics of the album “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen.
Like A Rolling Stone
Bernardo Lanzetti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
The song "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bernardo Lanzetti is a powerful and emotional commentary about the fall of a glamorous and privileged person. The singer describes a person who once lived a luxurious and lavish lifestyle, throwing money at bums while everyone admired her. However, things have taken a different turn where she's now penniless and has to scrounge for her next meal. The people that warned her about her fall from grace, and whom she used to ridicule earlier, seem to have been right. She is now alone, without any direction, and feeling like a complete unknown.
As he continues, the singer points out that the person’s life wasn't as rosy as it seemed, and she only found comfort in drinking and partying. She had never learned how to live on the street, and now she realizes that she will have to learn how to fend for herself. Furthermore, the person also discovers that the mystery tramp, a person she once dismissed, is now a better judge of character than she is. She acknowledges that this man is no longer selling any alibis and as she stares into his eyes, she asks whether he wants to make a deal.
In summary, "Like A Rolling Stone" uncovers the emptiness and fragility of a life built on false foundations. The song’s lyrics expose the false sense of supremacy and entitlement that can disappear in no time. At the same time, it also highlights the idea that when you have nothing, there is nothing left to lose.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You used to be well-dressed and stylish.
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
You were generous and gave money to beggars when you were doing well for yourself.
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
Others had warned you that your life was headed for a downward spiral.
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You believed the warnings were just jokes.
You used to laugh about
You found humor in everything.
Everybody that was hangin' out
The people around you.
Now you don't talk so loud
You speak more quietly now.
Now you don't seem so proud
You are no longer as confident or self-assured as you once were.
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
You are struggling to find your next meal and have to resort to looking for scraps and leftovers.
How does it feel
What is the sensation or emotion.
To be without a home
To be homeless and without a place to stay.
Like a complete unknown
Feeling like you are a completely new person with no identity or sense of self.
Like a rolling stone?
Feeling like you are wandering aimlessly through life with no clear direction or purpose.
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
You have attended the most prestigious and elite school, but you are still lonely.
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
However, you only went there to party and indulge in excess.
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
You have never been taught how to survive and manage when homeless.
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You have come to the realization that you will have to adapt to your new life situation.
You said you'd never compromise
You had promised yourself that you would never settle or make a concession.
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
But now you understand that this mysterious person you once deemed beneath you can help you survive.
He's not selling any alibis
You understand that he is not offering you a lie or excuse.
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you look into his empty eyes, devoid of emotion.
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
You ask him if he wants to negotiate or make an arrangement.
To be on your own
To be alone and fending for yourself.
With no direction home
To have no indication or knowledge of where your home and shelter may be.
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
You never cared about or noticed the people around you who were unhappy and struggling.
When they all come down and did tricks for you
When they came down to your level and tried to entertain you.
You never understood that it ain't no good
You never comprehended that having others live for you is destructive.
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You shouldn't also depend on others to create your enjoyment.
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
You used to ride a chrome-coated horse with your powerful political diplomat.
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Who carried a Siamese cat with him wherever he went.
Ain't it hard when you discover that
Isn't it hard when you come to terms with the fact that.
He really wasn't where it's at
He did not hold the secret to success and happiness.
After he took from you everything he could steal
After he robbed you of everything he could take.
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
The beautiful and high-status people on the church steeple.
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are drinking and believing that they have succeeded in life.
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
Sharing and giving each other rare and valuable items.
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
But you should sell your valuable diamond ring while you can, my dear.
You used to be so amused
You found joy and entertainment in everything.
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
You were amused by Napoleon despite him being in tattered clothing and using coarse language.
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
Now he calls you and needs your help, you cannot say no.
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You have nothing to lose when you already have nothing.
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal
You are invisible now and have no secrets to keep or hide from anyone.
Contributed by Bentley N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.