Enrico Ruggeri (born June 5, 1957) is an Italian singer-songwriter.

… Read Full Bio ↴Enrico Ruggeri (born June 5, 1957) is an Italian singer-songwriter.

A native of Milan, Ruggeri made his debut in the 1970s with a punk band, the Decibel. In 1981 he began the career as a sole singer and established as a songwriter: his most famous success in this latter role is "Il mare d'inverno" ("The Sea in Winter"), brought to chart by Loredana Bertè.

He won the Sanremo Music Festival twice: in 1987 singing "Si può dare di più" ("You can give more") together with Gianni Morandi and Umberto Tozzi and in 1993 singing "Mistero" ("Mistery"). He represented Italy at Eurovision Song Contest 1993 with the song "Sole D'Europa" ("Sun of Europe").

His personal web site can be found at http://www.enricoruggeri.net/

Padri E Figli
Enrico Ruggeri Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Le foto si sono ingiallite
Sarà il troppo poco guardarle
Dovrebbero prendere aria
Se vuoi conservarle

Seduto su quella poltrona
Con gli abiti ormai così larghi
Che lì la mia mano affondava

Volendo abbracciarti

Ricordo le brevi parole
Che mi hai ripetuto più volte
E io non volevo ascoltare
E parlavo più forte

Non potevo capire

Non avrai tempo per me
Quando il tuo sguardo
Andrà in contro alla vita
Qui non c'è posto per me
Nella tua corsa infinita
Per prenderti il mondo

E il mondo ti aspetta

La scena è cambiata veloce
E mi hanno cambiato di ruolo
E guardo i miei figli dormire
E parlo da solo

Seduto su un'altra poltrona
Ripeto le stesse parole
Qualcuno le consumerà
Voleranno da sole

Non avrai tempo per me
Quando il tuo sguardo
Andrà in contro alla vita
Qui non c'è posto per me
Nella tua corsa infinita
Per prenderti il mondo

E il mondo ti aspetta

Altri ricordi verranno
Si rincorreranno stagioni
E dopo di noi canteranno
Le stesse canzoni

Non avrai tempo per me
Quando il tuo sguardo
Andrà in contro alla vita
Qui non c'è posto per me
Nella tua corsa infinita
Per prenderti il mondo

E il mondo ti aspetta

Overall Meaning

In Padri E Figli, Enrico Ruggeri reflects on the changing relationship between a father and his children over time. The opening lyrics describe the yellowing photos of the past, suggesting that too much looking back can be detrimental to progression. Ruggeri advises that if we want to preserve memories, we must let them breathe by letting go of them. He reminisces about sitting in a chair that has now become too big for him, trying to embrace his father, who repeated fleeting words over time. Ruggeri speaks loudly, trying to ignore his father's words, thinking he knew better, but now realizes he couldn't understand. He then foresees his own future with his children, speaking those same words that his father once said to him, likely knowing that his children will ignore him, thinking they know better.

Throughout the song, Ruggeri reminds his listeners that time is fleeting, and we can't hold onto anything forever. He cautions that as we chase success in this world and focus on material gain, we may lose sight of what's important - our family. While we're busy trying to capture the world, the world waits for us. And ultimately, the same cycle of parenting, misunderstanding, and trying to preserve memories will repeat itself with the next generation.

Line by Line Meaning

Le foto si sono ingiallite
The old photographs have turned yellow over time

Sarà il troppo poco guardarle
It's insufficient to only look at them

Dovrebbero prendere aria
They should be aired out

Se vuoi conservarle
If you want to preserve them

Seduto su quella poltrona
Sitting on that armchair

Con gli abiti ormai così larghi
With clothes that are now too big for me

Che lì la mia mano affondava
My hand sank into them there

Volendo abbracciarti
Wanting to hug you

Ricordo le brevi parole
I remember your short words

Che mi hai ripetuto più volte
That you repeated to me many times

E io non volevo ascoltare
And I didn't want to listen