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/

Rock Show
Enrico Ruggeri Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Abbiamo macchine scure nei vetri
Anche se a volte trasportano il niente
Tra la paura di troppe attenzioni
E il terrore di uscire dal cuore
Di tutta la gente

Sorrisi che costano cari
Tornano i conti che abbiamo pagato

E dentro l'anima dietro agli occhiali
Ricordi confusi e ferite
Curate d'un fiato

Pochi attimi soli per restare da soli
Per sentirci migliori
E per fermare quel treno

Perché la vita è una recita a tema
Che tutto confonde
Mentre una luce si accende
Altre non scaldano più
E lo spettacolo è un sogno
Che questo silenzio nasconde
E le profonde ragioni del cuore
Fanno da spina dorsale allo show
Se c'è da piangere andare o morire
Lo farò perché io posso vivere
Solo così

Abbiamo troppe famiglie allargate
E tutti quanti ci guardano dentro
In ogni posto migliore del mondo
Sappiamo trovare soltanto
Gli alberghi del centro
Pochi attimi veri e momenti sinceri
Per sentirci migliori
E intanto passa quel treno

Perché la vita è un copione già scritto
Che ancora sorprende
Per ogni stella che splende
C'è chi precipita giù
E lo spettacolo è l'acqua che bagna
E poi lascia le sponde
E questo amore che ho perso stasera
Farà da spina dorsale allo show
Se c'è da vendere l'anima ancora
Lo farò perché io posso vivere
Solo così

Perché la vita è una recita a tema
Che tutto confonde
Per ogni stella che splende
C'è chi precipita giù
E lo spettacolo è l'acqua che bagna
E poi lascia le sponde
E questo amore che ho perso stasera
Farà da spina dorsale allo show
Se c'è da vendere l'anima ancora

Lo farò perché io posso vivere
Solo così

Overall Meaning

In this song, Enrico Ruggeri reflects on the complexities of life and the various struggles that people face as they navigate through it. He describes dark cars with tinted windows that sometimes transport nothing, perhaps alluding to the emptiness that people feel despite their external appearances. He also mentions the high cost of smiles, possibly referencing the effort it takes to maintain a façade of happiness in the face of difficulties. Through the use of metaphors such as "life is a themed performance", the singer implies that individuals are often lost in the roles they have to play, and it becomes challenging to discern the genuine from the fake. He notes that while some experiences leave warm memories and unite people together, others leave scars that may never fully heal. Ultimately, Ruggeri seems to assert that people must keep going, even if it means putting on a show, selling their souls or facing their deepest fears to keep alive.

The lyrics of the song and its title, "Rock Show", have been interpreted in different ways by different people. Some suggest that it is a commentary on the music industry itself, where performers are forced to maintain an image of glamour in order to succeed. Others see it as a broader metaphor for society, where people often struggle to conform to societal expectations and hide their true selves to fit in. Additionally, the lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation, which allows listeners to relate to the song on a personal level.

Line by Line Meaning

Abbiamo macchine scure nei vetri
We ride in dark cars, although sometimes they transport nothing. We try to avoid attention and fear disappointing those around us.

Sorrisi che costano cari
We force smiles and hide the pain that we have paid for. Memories and wounds lurk behind our glasses, waiting to be healed.

Pochi attimi soli per restare da soli
We crave solitude for a few moments, to feel better and stop that train called life.

Perché la vita è una recita a tema
Life is a scripted performance that often confuses us. Some bright moments arise, while other things lose their glow.

Abbiamo troppe famiglie allargate
We have too many complicated families, all looking into our business. In every beautiful corner of the world, we can only find hotels in the city center.

Pochi attimi veri e momenti sinceri
We desire genuine moments and authentic experiences to feel better. But that train of life passes us by, leaving us with a sense of longing.

Perché la vita è un copione già scritto
Life is a pre-written script that still surprises us. We see stars shine but also see people crash and burn, and the spectacle is like water that ebbs and flows.

E questo amore che ho perso stasera
Tonight, I lost this love that used to be the backbone of my show. But if I have to sell my soul, I will just to keep living, for that is the only way to survive.

Contributed by Annabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS