Sultry voice, poetic lyrics and surprising harmonies are just a part of the recipe that makes Chiara's music so irresistible.
The distance she has traveled is both musical and spiritual-literally stretching across the Atlantic Ocean. Born in Rome, Chiara was encouraged to play the piano by her grandmother; she kids that her nonna's out-of-tune upright afforded the best ear training. She briefly tried the acoustic guitar, but that ended almost comically with a drive to get some gelato. "The little car only had two doors," she remembers. "When I sat down, I broke the neck of the guitar. That was it for me. No more guitar. My mother said, 'You'd better sing, girl!'"
Chiara had already been in some classical choirs, but was looking for something freer than the operatic traditions of her homeland. A friend suggested that she learn jazz; she'd never heard of it. A little investigation brought her to a private music school that she would attend through her four years of high school: the St. Louis Music Academy in Rome. When she was sixteen, Chiara began singing professionally and won a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. She enrolled there from 1994-98. By the first year Chiara was a regular on the Boston club scene, performing with different bands.
But her journey didn't end with Boston or jazz. Chiara's move to New York City was inevitable. Searching for something musically closer to her Mediterranean roots, she immersed herself in Latin and Brazilian music, learning Spanish and Portuguese along the way. She also wrote her first song, "Parole Incerte" ("Uncertain Words"), about the misunderstandings that can come from the distance between a person and her loved ones.
Meanwhile, two of Chiara's bandmates - pianist Alain Mallet and drummer Jamey Haddad - had begun working with Paul Simon and invited her to a rehearsal. It was there that she met producer Russ Titelman and left him with a demo of "Parole Incerte." He called the very next day and insisted, "You are a songwriter. Forget about everything else you are doing. You have to write." Chiara began composing lyrics in English. She studied the work of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor.
Titelman let president and CEO of Verve hear the song and the next day Chiara was offered a record deal that not only allowed her to enter the studio but made her the first Italian born to be signed by Verve Records.
From this series of encouraging and exciting encounters emerged the 10 original compositions included on her debut album LAST QUARTER MOON, Verve2005; seven written by herself and three co-writes, including the brooding ballad "Trouble" that was co-written with legend Burt Bacharach. "I had almost every song on the album," recalls Chiara, "when Russ called me to say that Burt Bacharach was interested in writing with me." "Trouble" came together during a three day session at Bacharach's Los Angeles home. Chiara arrived with an idea for the melody; they shaped and refined it as a team.
The first album granted her a first round of the world and great position in the charts of italy and Japan.
Billboard Magazine noted that, “the beauty, charm and allure of singer/pianist/songwriter Chiara Civello’s debut…makes for an auspicious beginning and marks the first revelation of the New Year.” The International Herald Tribune declared “her combination of personality, soulfulness and sophistication…striking.”
The second album The Space Between (2007 Universal Classic and Jazz) produced by Steve Addabbo , shows a more intimate and immediate side of the singer songwriter, leading us us through a journey of thirteen beautiful moments where we feel we can get really close to her.
“This is a record about ‘the space between’. The space between the notes, the silence between words, the space between me and you, me and my past, me and my future, and all the spaces between that nowadays are so difficult to stop and think about….the space between that makes you feel the reality better, the space that makes you miss someone, the space between that makes you not say everything all at once, but bit by bit, as the need of saying it gets stronger in you. The space between what I think and what I say… In Italy, we have a saying: Between saying and doing, there is the sea.”
The album entered successfully the Italian and Japanese chiarts and led her to new important artistic collaborations.
Definitely an itinerant soul, Chiara describes her life as:” My home is the world, as long as there’s a piano at the destination, my world fits in a suitcase, the rest I carry with me : my computer and my guitar.
"Jazz was the most incredible diving machine when it came to going really deep into music," says Civello, about her path of discovery, one sure to continue in the future. "But I knew I couldn't be the new Ella Fitzgerald; I couldn't be the new Shirley Horn. I learned all different kinds of music and then I said to myself, 'I need to find my own voice. Time to unlearn now, time to be free.' It's like a hot air balloon: To be able to fly you have to throw off the sandbags. I want to be as light as I can-light as a feather."
“In the first album you search, in the second you focus, in the third you find yourself…. and here I am,” says Chiara Civello in describing her third album titled “7752” of upcoming release.
7752 is the distance in Kilometers from New York City to Rio de Janeiro, the two cities that provided the inspiration for this album. New York is where Chiara lives, while Rio changed Chiara’s life…
While visiting her friend, Daniel Jobim, in Rio in February 2008, Chiara was taken to a party (known as SARAO) where artists and musicians of all kinds get together. The guitar went around and everyone sang a song. As Chiara shared, listened, and learned, a new phase of her artistic path began.
“Co-writing I was already familiar with,” says Chiara, “since those unforgettable three days spent in Santa Monica in which I wrote Trouble with Burt Bacharach for my first album…but in Brazil everyone co writes. It’s a big party, everyone shares and dares and makes it happen.”
Ana Carolina, a Brazilian pop star, is one of the main collaborators of 7752. Not only did she co-write five of the songs with Chiara, but she also played acoustic guitar on most of them. “We met at that party and she asked me if I had a melody for her, so the next day I started RESTA, a song that soon after we finished together and sang as a duet live in Sao Paulo.” Success has already accompanied the collaboration with Ana Carolina, as RESTA will be featured on the new Novela of Globo TV called “Passione,” starting on May 17, 2010.
Written between Rio, New York, and Trastevere (Rome), 7752 includes ten musical moments of which eight were recorded in NYC (and produced by the eclectic producer Andres Levin), while four were recorded in Rio and produced by Chiara herself.
“All my friends and favorite musicians merged into this record in the most natural way…it was like bringing the Rio spirit into the studio: Mauro Refosco (Thom Yorke, David Byrne, Forro’ in The Dark) and Guilherme Monteiro (Ron Carter, Forro in The Dark) had already recorded with me and I couldn’t possibly think of a record without them, Anat Cohen is one of my best friends and I have always wanted to have her on my album but we never were able to make it happen; Jaques Morelenbaum is one of the most talented and sentimental musicians I have ever met; Mark Ribot was the perfect guy for these songs, not to mention the great rhythm section that Andres brought in the studio, Gene Lake on the drums and Jonathan Maron on the bass. Ana Carolina who wrote most of the songs with me already owned them on the acoustic guitar and added her tremendous groove to them”.
Already defined as an “enticing and contagious” album, 7752 sounds lively, while portraying a new, playful and joyous aspect of Chiara’s singing and songwriting. The sound is a beautiful alchemy among the 60s, Italian melody, Brazilian harmonies, and R&B.
http://www.chiaracivello.com
Tre
Chiara Civello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La vita facile non fa per me
Sopra le regole sotto le favole
Sembriamo mille siamo solo in tre
Lui, lei, e io non mi identifico...
Salgo sul palpito, seguo l′oroscopo
Mi metto in ballo senza remoreMa senza incorrere nel lungo termine
Mangio le pagine con i perché
Siamo lui, lei ed io che mi semplifico...
Perché noi, siamo due che fan per tre,
Siamo lui, siamo lei, siamo quello che c'è
Siamo facce della stessa fantasia...
Con passi languidi e passi liquidi, attraversiamo le malinconie
Dove i misteri sono compatibili e le sue mani muovono le mie
Lui, lei, ed io che mi gratifico...
Perché noi, siamo due che fan per tre
Siamo lui, siamo lei, siamo quello che c′è
Siamo facce della stessa fantasia
Noi, siamo noi due che fan per tre
L'equilibrio matematico non c'è
Siamo gocce della stessa Malvasia...
Lui, lei... ed io non mi identifico...
Lui, lei... ed io che mi semplifico...
Lui, lei... ed io che mi gratifico...
In "Tre," Chiara Civello intricately weaves the themes of self-identity, love, and emotional complexity through vivid imagery and a compelling narrative structure. The opening lines—"Champagne e lacrime sudore e fragole"—create an immediate contrast between the celebratory and the melancholic aspects of life. These dualities invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences of joy and sorrow, suggesting that life is a tapestry of varied emotions, where the 'easy life' is not a fit for the singer. The singer mentions that she and her companions appear to embody a multitude of identities ("Sembriamo mille siamo solo in tre"), indicating that their connection goes beyond mere friendship or partnership. This multifaceted existence hints at the complexity of human relationships, emphasizing that each person involved brings their own narratives and identities while maintaining a collective bond.
As the song progresses, Civello employs astrological references and the notion of taking risks ("Salgo sul palpito, seguo l′oroscopo") to illustrate a sense of adventure and spontaneity in pursuit of deeper emotional truths. This pursuit is not without its complications; the line "Ma senza incorrere nel lungo termine" suggests a hesitance to commit to a singular, defined future. Instead, the singer seems more invested in the present moment, where curiosity and exploration are prioritized over stability. The juxtaposition of consuming "le pagine con i perché" reinforces this idea of seeking answers while also raising further questions about identity and belonging. It presents a paradoxical yearning to understand oneself while also getting lost in the conversation about life's uncertainties.
The refrain "Siamo lui, siamo lei, siamo quello che c’è" emphasizes collective existence and unity. Civello articulates that, although they are made up of different identities, there’s a shared essence that binds them together—what she poetically dubs "la stessa fantasia." This phrase hints at a dreamlike quality to their relationship, wherein each person's individuality contributes to a larger narrative of love and intimacy. This portrayal of togetherness challenges conventional notions of relationships, highlighting the various dynamics that exist within love. The lyric "Perché noi, siamo due che fan per tre" reiterates the idea of enhancing one another’s identities, suggesting that the presence of the third person adds depth and richness to the connection rather than complicating it.
Towards the conclusion, the song delves even deeper into the intricacies of these relationships, portraying them as a dance through “malinconie” or melancholies. The physical connection between "lui," "lei," and the singer further explores the themes of touch and intimacy, leading to a celebration of the emotional gratifications found in complexity. The repeated motif of "Lui, lei… ed io" reflects not only a triad of identities but also a continuous shifting of roles and experiences, which emphasizes that each participant contributes to a holistic sense of self. The final verses acknowledge an imbalance ("L'equilibrio matematico non c'è") in their shared existence, yet this very asymmetry is embraced as a part of their unique dynamic - they are "gocce della stessa Malvasia," celebrating the sweet and sometimes bittersweet nature of their entanglement. Overall, "Tre" encapsulates the beauty and messiness of human relationships, showcasing how identities can intertwine to create something profoundly enchanting.
Line by Line Meaning
Champagne e lacrime sudore e fragole
The blend of joy and sorrow, effort and indulgence reflects the complexities of life.
La vita facile non fa per me
I thrive in challenges; a life devoid of struggle lacks appeal.
Sopra le regole sotto le favole
We exist both above societal norms and beneath the stories we tell ourselves.
Sembriamo mille siamo solo in tre
Outwardly, we project a multitude of identities, yet we are merely three individuals.
Lui, lei, e io non mi identifico...
The trio consists of him, her, and me, but I struggle to find my own identity within this dynamic.
Salgo sul palpito, seguo l′oroscopo
I ride the waves of excitement, letting fate dictate my path through celestial signs.
Mi metto in ballo senza remore
I engage fully in life’s dance, unburdened by doubt or hesitation.
Ma senza incorrere nel lungo termine
Yet, I navigate these experiences without contemplating the future implications.
Mangio le pagine con i perché
I consume every question and uncertainty, eagerly seeking answers.
Siamo lui, lei ed io che mi semplifico...
It is he, she, and I together as I endeavor to simplify my own complexity.
Perché noi, siamo due che fan per tre,
Because the two of us suffice to create a bond that feels like three.
Siamo lui, siamo lei, siamo quello che c'è
We are him, we are her, we embody everything that exists in our shared reality.
Siamo facce della stessa fantasia...
We are all different aspects of the same dream or idealized vision.
Con passi languidi e passi liquidi, attraversiamo le malinconie
With graceful and fluid movements, we navigate the depths of our sorrows.
Dove i misteri sono compatibili e le sue mani muovono le mie
In a space where mysteries align, his hands intertwine with mine, suggesting connection.
Lui, lei, ed io che mi gratifico...
It is him, her, and I, finding fulfillment in our shared experiences.
Perché noi, siamo due che fan per tre
Because the two of us are enough to constitute a trio.
Siamo lui, siamo lei, siamo quello che c′è
We are him, we are her, representing the entirety of our existence.
Siamo facce della stessa fantasia
We are different faces of a collective imagination.
Noi, siamo noi due che fan per tre
We, together, as a pair, manage to encompass a larger presence.
L'equilibrio matematico non c'è
There is no mathematical harmony in our relationships.
Siamo gocce della stessa Malvasia...
We are droplets of the same rich essence, flowing together in our unique experience.
Lui, lei... ed io non mi identifico...
Him, her, and I—still, my identity feels elusive amongst them.
Lui, lei... ed io che mi semplifico...
Amongst him and her, I strive to distill my complexities into something clearer.
Lui, lei... ed io che mi gratifico...
With him and her, I find satisfaction and reward in our intertwined existence.
Writer(s): Chiara Civello, Rocco Papaleo
Contributed by Jackson A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@socorromarques9926
Talento, Sensualidade é com ela. 👏🙌❤️🔥🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@christianebartolo4967
Deus caprichou em tudo!Estou a entender tanto talento, que delicia de voz!Ela exala poesia e sensualidade e por ai vai....valeu Chiara🎶💕🎶
@claudiosantoro2212
elegantissima Chiara! fenomenale Roccoo..
@soniasouza5494
Que vídeo fantástico!!! Chiara tem uma presença de palco incrível, sem falar na belíssima voz!!!
@annaabrams4225
Wow! Chiara Civello is not just a great singer, but this video proves she can also act. Just beautiful! Loved it!
@vanessaduda3441
A melhor musica, melhor interpretação, inovou com este vídeo...essa mulher exala talento! Moro em Fortaleza, e certamente viajarei até o Rio para assistir a um show desta criatura, nem que seja um bate volta. Os fãs brasileiros tem que chegar junto, fico bem emocionada quando ouço na suas entrevistas o carinho que ela demonstra pelo publico e por nossa Pátria! Merece isso e muito mais...
@Regina-gm6ee
Concordo!!! Chiara é especial demais!! Vale um-bate-e-volta!!
@lucianaferraz8432
Uma Diva Maravilhosa. Que TALENTO ímpar que mescla uma voz magnífica e terna dosada com uma docilidade e mistério. Que brilho e luz tem Chiara Civello. Canta com alma para encantar almas. Se eterniza por onde passa. Inexplicável!!!!!!!!
@veraluciagomessousalucia9095
Ela é incrível amo......muitooooo
@damoralpralee5125
Menina que canta e encanta.