When their first album "Elio Samaga Hukapan Karyiana Turu" came out (1989), the concept of an underground band was outdated by the 150,000 copies that were sold in the first ten months. This result was even more significant since they were not supported by the official media.
Slowly the media's ostracism would be transformed into a clear admiration for a project that did not undergound traditional market rules, but had instead created a new market. Today Elio e le Storie Tese is one of the most appreciated bands by the press and one of the most requested to appear on television.
The second album "Italyan Rum Casusu Çikti" that contains "Pipppero" (recorded with Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, the world-famous female Bulgarian traditional choir), reached success even quicker selling 150,000 copies in the first 6 months.
The hilarious impact of the lyrics, the catchy melodies, the stage presence, (their concerts are real happenings that are attended by a more and more vast and loyal audience), the professionality (the six musicians are some of the best performers in Italy); all these things together with a boost of energy and the constant seek of innovative ideas, make the group undoubtely a "unique case" in the Italian musical panorama.
Their impact on the media grew constantly, more and more. In 1996 they participated in the world-known "Festival di Sanremo", which contributed to increase their popularity without diluting their original and intelligent way of making music. Both critics and audience were stunned by their hit "La Terra dei Cachi".
Their next album "Eat the Phikis", released a few months after Sanremo, jumped immediately to number one of the Italian top selling chart.
Between 1997 and 1998 two new releases from Elio e le Storie Tese: their greatest hits called "Del Meglio del Nostro Meglio Vol. 1" and the special box "Perle ai Porci", containing all of their recordings, previously released and unreleased. Few days before the new year's day the band dramatically lost Feyez, the sax player, who died during a concert, because of an ictus.
"Craccracriccrecr", the next studio album, was released in 1999, followed two years later by "Made in Japan", a double live cd that ironically refers to the well known Deep Purple live album.
Their latest studio release is "Cicciput" (2003). Some of the most popular italian artists (Gianni Morandi, Laura Pausini, Max Pezzali, Litfiba) gave their contribution to the record.
During these years the band won more than a prize for their musical carreer: Best Italian Band at the Mtv European Music Awards 1999, Best Videoclip (Shpalman) at the Italian Music Awards 2003, "Critics' Prize" plus the second place at the Sanremo Festival in 1996.
They have been pioneers, in their own special way, in the field of marketing, communication and promotion. Nothing that ever comes from Elio e le Storie Tese could be less than unique.
At present Elio e le Storie Tese are the first artists in Italy (and among the very few in the world) to record each live performance and sell the mastered copy right after the show; in addition to that, this new website has been activated, with a new form of membership (annual or quarterly) allowing members to download a wide range of audio/video recordings for free.
The band:
Elio: voice, flute
Faso: bass guitar
Cesareo: guitar
Rocco Tanica: keyboards
Christian Meyer: drums
Jantoman: additional keyboards
(source: elioelestorietese.it)
Caro 2000
Elio e le Storie Tese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
quanto tempo è già passato
dal lontano zero.
Proprio non te l'aspettavi
che toccasse a te,
ma la lista d'attesa è finita.
Senti, sai che ci aspettiamo molto
tipo un valido vaccino contro L'HIV
per amare in Europa
senza il problemino del computerino che fa tilt:
non ti riconosce (quattro!),
lui ti crede (tre!) il 900 (due!)
e invece sei (uno!) 2000 (Yeahhh!)
Credi di essere il migliore anno del futuro.
Non lo sai che l'anno prossimo
c'è l'odissea nello spazio?
Senti il peso delle responsabilità,
non ci pensi a quelli che verranno dopo
tipo il 4000, il 6000, il 19000, il 30000,
tipo 98003 o il 100.000.
Non sei nessuno.
Ti credi il futuro
ma futuro non sei.
Nel 100.000 l'uomo si sarà evoluto
ed avrà fatto tutto;
la natura si sarà rimboschita un po'
e volare non sarà un problema.
Con un filo d'erba salverò l'umanità,
con le branchie salveremo chi non sa nuotare,
e voleremo con facilità.
Quindi, caro il mio 2000,
vedi di volare basso.
Nooooo nessunoo credi maaaaa aaaaaaaaah
The lyrics of Elio e le Storie Tese's song "Caro 2000" express a humorous contemplation of the arrival of the year 2000, which was seen by many as a turning point in history as a new millennium began. The song opens with an acknowledgment of the passage of time since the year zero and the surprise that it is now the turn of 2000 to take center stage. The lyricist then speaks directly to the year 2000, describing the high expectations that people have for it to solve various problems that are afflicting the world such as the HIV epidemic, computer malfunctions, and the challenge of living and loving in Europe.
However, the song takes a turn towards irony and cynicism as the lyricist questions the pretensions of the year 2000 to be the best year of the future, as there will always be a new year with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The themes of responsibility, evolution, and technological progress are explored throughout the song as the lyricist reminds the year 2000 that it is but a small point in a larger timeline of human history.
Overall, the lyrics of "Caro 2000" use humor, irony, and wit to address the overblown expectations that marked the turn of the millennium while also reflecting on the enduring human concerns and challenges that persist over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Caro 2000, quanto tempo è già passato dal lontano zero.
Dear 2000, how much time has already passed since the distant past.
Proprio non te l'aspettavi che toccasse a te, ma la lista d'attesa è finita.
You just didn't expect it to be your turn, but the waiting list is over.
Senti, sai che ci aspettiamo molto dalla tua venuta, tipo un valido vaccino contro L'HIV per amare in Europa senza il problemino del computerino che fa tilt: non ti riconosce (quattro!), lui ti crede (tre!) il 900 (due!) e invece sei (uno!) 2000 (Yeahhh!)
You know, we expect a lot from your arrival, like a valid vaccine against HIV to love in Europe without the small problem of the computer that crashes: it doesn't recognize you (four!), it thinks you're (three!) 900 (two!) but instead you are (one!) 2000 (Yeahhh!)
Credi di essere il migliore anno del futuro.
You believe to be the best year of the future.
Non lo sai che l'anno prossimo c'è l'odissea nello spazio?
Don't you know that next year there's the Odyssey in space?
Senti il peso delle responsabilità, non ci pensi a quelli che verranno dopo tipo il 4000, il 6000, il 19000, il 30000, tipo 98003 o il 100.000.
Feel the weight of responsibilities, don't forget about those who will come after you like 4000, 6000, 19000, 30000, 98003 or 100,000.
Non sei nessuno. Ti credi il futuro ma futuro non sei.
You are nobody. You think you are the future, but you are not.
Nel 100.000 l'uomo si sarà evoluto ed avrà fatto tutto; la natura si sarà rimboschita un po' e volare non sarà un problema. Con un filo d'erba salverò l'umanità, con le branchie salveremo chi non sa nuotare e voleremo con facilità.
In 100,000 years, man will have evolved and done everything; nature will have reforested a little, and flying will not be a problem. With a blade of grass, I'll save humanity; with gills, we'll save those who can't swim, and we'll fly with ease.
Quindi caro il mio 2000, vedi di volare basso.
So, my dear 2000, make sure you fly low.
Contributed by Lincoln Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.