Jannacci is widely considered as a master of musical art and cabaret, and in the course of his career has collaborated with many famous Italian musicians, performing artists, journalists, television personalities and comedians. He has written around thirty albums and soundtracks, some of which have since come to be seen as milestones in the history of Italian popular music.
A cardiologist in his day job, he is also regarded as one of the founders of Italian rock and roll music, along with Adriano Celentano, Luigi Tenco and Giorgio Gaber, with whom he collaborated for over forty years.
Enzo Jannacci was born in Milan on June 3, 1935. On his father's side his family is from Puglia: his grandfather, also called Vincenzo, moved to Milan from Bari just before the onset of the First World War. His mother's side of the family is from Lombardy.
His father was an aeronautical official and worked at Forlanini airport (now more commonly known as Linate). He took part in the Italian resistance movement, in particular during the defense of Milanese aviation at Piazza Novelli, an act which later inspired songs such as Sei minuti all'alba ("Six Minutes to Dawn").
After finishing high school at the Liceo Scientifico Leonardo Da Vinci, he graduated in harmony, composition and conducting at the Milan Conservatory.
Later in 1967 he graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of Milan.
He left Italy for South Africa and United States to specialise in cardiac surgery, where he joined the team of Christiaan Barnard, the famous surgeon.
On November 23, 1967 he married Giuliana Orefice, who gave birth to Paolo, their only child, five years later. Today Paolo is a musician and conductor.
Jannacci started his musical career in 1956, becoming the keyboardist of the group "Rocky Mountains". Lead member of the group initially was Tony Dallara, that was later replaced by Giorgio Gaber. In 1957 he became the keyboardist of the Rock Boys, a rock'n'roll group accompanying Adriano Celentano.
In 1958, even keeping on perform with Rock Boys, he formed with Gaber the musical duo "I due corsari" with whom he made his first recordings. In the same years he was able to accompany as a jazz pianist several great names such as Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Bud Powell and Franco Cerri, with whom he recorded several albums.
Jannacci started his solo career in early sixties, recording two songs, "L'ombrello di mio fratello" and "Il cane con i capelli", that already revealed its ironic and surreal style, and in 1962 he debuted on stage with the recital Milanon Milanin.
The following year he made his debut as stand-up comedian in the Milan comedy club Derby; there he met Dario Fo and the duo Cochi & Renato, with whom he collaboated several times over the years.
In 1964 his popularity grew significantly thanks to the recital 22 canzoni, of which he was the author together with Dario Fo, and thanks to the song "L'Armando", his first real success. In 1968 he topped the Italian hit parade with the main success of his career, "Vengo anch'io (no tu no)". The same year he took part at the musical contest Canzonissima '68; he reached the final, but the song he had chosen for the final, "Ho visto un re", was censored by RAI and replaced with "I due zingari".
"Ho visto un re" despite the ostracism (RAI even forbade the radio broadcasting of the song) became a classic and reached 7th place on hit parade.
Jannacci in L'udienza (1971)
Between 1968 and 1972 Jannacci temporarily slowed his activities focusing on his activity of doctor; during these years he however appeared as leading actor in two films, Mario Monicelli's Le coppie (in the segment Il frigorifero) and Marco Ferreri's L'udienza.[5] In 1973 he wrote the comedy play Il poeta e il contadino, that was later turned in a TV-series broadcasted by RAI, and in 1974 he wrote, together with Beppe Viola, the book L'incompiuter. In these years he also successfully composed several film soundtracks, including Mario Monicelli's Romanzo popolare and the Academy Award nominated Lina Wertmüller's Seven Beauties.
In 1975 he published the album Quelli che... which eponymous single was one of his most known songs, especially thanks to the variety show Quelli che... il Calcio that had it as the theme song for eight years.
In 1977 Mina covered ten songs of Jannacci in the album Mina quasi Jannacci, where the songwriter duet with her in the song "E l'era tardi".
In 1978 he composed the soundtrack and collaborated to the screenplay of Saxofone, the directorial debut of his longtime friend Renato Pozzetto. In 1979, after several years off, he went back to make live concerts.
In these years he also collaborated with Paolo Conte, signing successful songs such as "Sudamerica" and "Bartali".
In 1980 Jannacci released the album Ci vuole orecchio that, pulled by the title song, realized excellent sales.
In 1982 he hosted the variety television Gran simpatico; the same year he reformed the musical duo with Giorgio Gaber for the EP Ja-Ga Brothers. Starting from the second half of eighties he focused his activity on stage leading several recitals.
In 1989 he entered the Sanremo Music Festival with the critically apprecciated song "Se me lo dicevi prima"; he came back to Sanremo three more times, in 1990 with "La fotografia" (which won the Critics Award), in 1994 with "I soliti accordi", a duet with the comedian Paolo Rossi, and in 1998 with "Quando il musicista ride".
In 1996 he hosted, together with Piero Chiambretti, the Raitre late night show Il laureato.
Later years and death
The late years were for Jannacci full of tributes and honors, but also difficult on records.[8] While a great number of anthologies and collections are released, between 1994 to his death Jannacci was able to release just two new original albums in 2001 and 2003, with the independent label Ala Bianca. Both the albums won the art music prize Premio Tenco.
On January 1, 2003, his friend Giorgio Gaber died after a long illness at his home near Camaiore. He went to the funeral, which was held two days later at Abbazia di Chiaravalle where Gaber had married Ombretta Colli, but was only able to say that he had lost a brother.
The 2006 collection The Best 2006 is his latest album, a double CD containing 35 tracks, rearranged and produced by his son Paolo with 3 new songs.
In 2010 Jannacci starred in a role of weight in Sergio Castellitto's comedy film La bellezza del somaro. Between 2010 and 2011 he appeared several times in the variety show Zelig as stand-up comedian. On 19 December 2011 Fabio Fazio hosted a TV special about Jannacci, Vengo anch'io. Ovvero Enzo Jannacci, a tribute event full of guests that was the last public appearence for the already diseased Jannacci.
In February 2012 he was celebrated by a radio documentary series, Ho visto un re, Enzo Jannacci, broadcasted by Radio Due.
Jannacci died of cancer on the evening of Friday, March 29, 2013, at around 20:30, at the age of 77 years.
Luna Rossa
Enzo Jannacci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mentre qui che un bignè tira l'altro
E son volati trecento caffè
E di gente che sta fuori a quest'ora
O va in giro a sparare o va al tabarin
Siamo un grappolo umano che con gli occhi sbarrati
Non si stacca da quella TV
Ma che cosa volete di più
Siamo qui da Palermo via Roma per Posillipo, è ovvio,
Milano per forza (anche Genova)
Tutta gente che crede bolina
Sia una nuova polpetta cinese… Ma va?!
Tutta gente stavolta, che ti chiede uno straccio
Per lavarsi il sudore che c'è
Viene fuori tutta l'adrenalina
Se la strizzi salta su anche il parquet
Ehi Luna Rossa
Dai fagli una mossa
Ma per fargli capire che:
"Uno! Due! Tre!" Che quegli altri non son meglio di te
Ehi Luna Rossa dagli come una scossa
Che li fa rimbalzare come tanti birilli anche a tremila
Metri da te
Ora è quasi mattina, uno piange isolato…
L'han lasciato fuori dal tabarin
Mentre il grappolo umano decimato da infarti
Non capisce più niente perché
Non capisce se ha vinto, se ha perso…
Si domanda: "Ma Francesco dov'è?!"
Tra gli spruzzi, le onde, le scotte, le drizze
Spunta fuori anche un cameraman
Oehi Luna Rossa ho detto solo una scossa, si ma non di sparare col mitra alzo zero come fossimo in guerra sul Titanic
Oehi Luna Rossa vai che sei una forza!
Certo che è stata dura ma adesso che voglia
Che voglia di ridere ho!
Ehi Luna Rossa! vai che sei una forza!
Certo ch'è stata dura ma adesso che voglia
Che voglia di ridere che ho
Ehi Luna Rossa! vai che sei una forza
Adesso abbracciali tutti
Che voglia, che voglia
Voglia di ridere ho!
"Oehi! Scusa… Ma abbiam vinto o abbiam perso? No perché… Io son tre ore che giro le maniglie… Ma abbian vinto? Ma c'è la penalità!!… Tira fuori il tangone! Stramba! Ma è finita… Tu di barche non hai mai capito niente! Tu di barche non hai mai capito un cazzo!"
Ehi Luna Rossa
Dai fagli una mossa
Ma per fargli capire che:
"Uno! Due! Tre!" Che quegli altri non son meglio di te
Ehi Luna Rossa dagli come una scossa
Che li fa rimbalzare come tanti birilli anche a tremila
Metri da te
Ehi Luna Rossa
Dai fagli una mossa
Ma per fargli capire che:
"Uno! Due! Tre!" Che quegli altri non son meglio di te
Ehi Luna Rossa dagli come una scossa
Che li fa rimbalzare come tanti birilli anche a tremila
Metri da te
(Grazie a pignoni per questo testo)
The lyrics to Enzo Jannacci's "Luna Rossa" seem a bit nonsensical at first, but they actually capture the chaotic and frenzied energy of a group of people watching a sailing race. The singer marvels at the strange behavior of those around them, shouting as they watch the race unfold on TV. Jannacci uses a mix of Italian dialects and sailor jargon, complicating the language further. The singer describes the group as a "human cluster," made up of people from different cities and backgrounds who are all intensely invested in the race. They scream, sweat, and cheer together, united in their shared enthusiasm for the competition.
As the night wears on, the scene becomes more chaotic. People leave or are kicked out of the bar, and the remaining cluster of fans becomes smaller and more intense. The singer wonders if their team has won or lost and muses on the sensation of victory or defeat. Despite the confusion, though, the group remains loyal to their team, the "Luna Rossa." The final lines of the song are triumphant and joyful, encouraging the Luna Rossa to keep going, to keep racing, and to keep winning.
Line by Line Meaning
Ma ... Eh la Madonn'
Someone is exclaiming something strange is happening and warning others, saying a punch may be thrown and there is confusion about which way to go.
Mentre qui che un bignè tira l'altro E son volati trecento caffè E di gente che sta fuori a quest'ora O va in giro a sparare o va al tabarin Siamo un grappolo umano che con gli occhi sbarrati Non si stacca da quella TV Siamo pronti a gridare, soffiare sudare… Ma che cosa volete di più
The crowd is huddled together with their eyes glued to the TV, anxiously waiting for the outcome as they eat snacks and drink coffee. Some are out at the tabarin while others shoot guns. They are ready to cheer and shout, but they wonder what else they can do.
Siamo qui da Palermo via Roma per Posillipo, è ovvio, Milano per forza (anche Genova) Tutta gente che crede bolina Sia una nuova polpetta cinese… Ma va?! Tutta gente stavolta, che ti chiede uno straccio Per lavarsi il sudore che c'è Viene fuori tutta l'adrenalina Se la strizzi salta su anche il parquet
People have come from Palermo, Rome, Posillipo, Genoa and Milan, all of them thinking they know how to steer the boat. Some are so eager, they'll even use a Chinese meatball if they don't have a regular weight. They're sweating and asking for towels, and adrenaline is pumping so hard it could make the floorboards shake.
Ehi Luna Rossa Dai fagli una mossa Ma per fargli capire che: Uno! Due! Tre! Che quegli altri non son meglio di te Ehi Luna Rossa dagli come una scossa Che li fa rimbalzare come tanti birilli anche a tremila Metri da te
The song urges Luna Rossa to make a move and show what they're capable of. They need to prove they're the best and that the others don't measure up. The hope is that this will shake the others up and make them bounce around like bowling pins, even from 3,000 meters away.
Ora è quasi mattina, uno piange isolato L'han lasciato fuori dal tabarin Mentre il grappolo umano decimato da infarti Non capisce più niente perché Non capisce se ha vinto, se ha perso… Si domanda: Ma Francesco dov'è?! Tra gli spruzzi, le onde, le scotte, le drizze Spunta fuori anche un cameraman
Now it's almost morning, someone is crying outside the tabarin because they've been left out. The crowd is decimated by heart attacks and they don't understand if they won or lost. They're asking where Francesco is and suddenly a cameraman appears among all the spray, waves, sheets and lines.
Oehi Luna Rossa ho detto solo una scossa, si ma non di sparare col mitra alzo zero come fossimo in guerra sul Titanic Oehi Luna Rossa vai che sei una forza! Certo che è stata dura ma adesso che voglia Che voglia di ridere ho!
Luna Rossa is encouraged not to go too far, just enough to make a statement, but not so much that they start a war. They're a force to be reckoned with, and even though it's been tough, there's now a desire to laugh and enjoy the moment.
Ehi Luna Rossa! vai che sei una forza! Certo ch'è stata dura ma adesso che voglia Che voglia di ridere che ho Ehi Luna Rossa! vai che sei una forza Adesso abbracciali tutti Che voglia, che voglia Voglia di ridere ho!
Luna Rossa is still being praised as a force to be reckoned with. Even though it's been hard, there's now a strong desire to laugh and embrace everyone, bringing a sense of joy to the moment.
Oehi! Scusa… Ma abbiam vinto o abbiam perso? No perché… Io son tre ore che giro le maniglie… Ma abbian vinto? Ma c'è la penalità!! Tira fuori il tangone! Stramba! Ma è finita… Tu di barche non hai mai capito niente! Tu di barche non hai mai capito un cazzo!
Someone is asking if they won or lost the race. They've been turning handles for three hours but don't actually know what happened. They're concerned about a penalty and the timing device. They're shouting about taking out the boathook and insulting someone for not being able to sail.
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roberto Schirru
"Mentre qui che un bignè tira l'altro
e son volati trecento caffè
e di gente che sta fuori a quest'ora
o va in giro a sparare o va al tabarin
siamo un grappolo umano che con gli occhi sbarrati
non si stacca da quella TV
siamo pronti a gridare, soffiare sudare?
Ma che cosa volete di più" ha vissuto proprio notti come queste ❤️
"Siamo qui da Palermo via Roma per Posillipo, è ovvio,
Milano per forza (anche Genova)(io aggiungo anche Cagliari 😂❤️)
tutta gente che crede bolina
sia una nuova polpetta cinese? Ma va?!
tutta gente stavolta, che ti chiede uno straccio
per lavarsi il sudore che c'è
viene fuori tutta l'adrenalina
se la strizzi salta su anche il parquet
Ehi Luna Rossa
dai fagli una mossa
ma per fargli capire che:
?Uno! Due! Tre!? Che quegli altri non son meglio di te
Ehi Luna Rossa dagli come una scossa
che li fa rimbalzare come tanti birilli anche a tremila
metri da te"
Bella canzone per questo giorni, sembra appena scritta ❤️
Anna Maria Vassena
Con la febbre che c'è adesso con Luna Rossa all'AC questa canzone vi sta
Roberto Schirru
@Anna Maria Vassena esatto,oltre a tutte le altre similitudini c'era già Checco 😂
Anna Maria Vassena
Tra l'altro c'è pure un Francesco non Bruni Jannacci eri un Ganzo !!!!
Roberto Schirru
L ho appena scoperta ed è super attuale ahahah ❤️
Red Flag
Occhio che stramba!
fastrelief
Io ho il disco originale e il rullante suona in modo diverso come diverso pare tutto il missaggio, forse l'ascolto in cuffia fa sembrare diverso il sound.
fastrelief
@Alfonso Sammarco E' uscita nel 2001 sul disco Come gli Aeroplani, grande album.
Alfonso Sammarco
Quando è stata incisa questa splendida canzone?