FF’s first album, 1.0, was released in 1999 in Italy by Mescal and soon travelled beyond national borders. Universal Music Japan engineered a Japanese release in 2000, and Omnium Recordings an American/Canadian/Mexican one in early 2001, to a wide acclaim. In the mean time, Fiamma and Alberto had built up a permanent (and predominantly female and very young, consistently with the attitude of the project) live band. This includes the versatile Lady Jessica Lombardi, here (Emilian bagpipes, flutes, electric bass) and Italian-Eritrean female dj Medhin Paolos (loops and samples). The band has been invited to WOMAD 2001 in Palermo; to the CMJ Music Marathon in New York in the same year (the event cancelled because of the Twin Towers tragedy); to the Detroit Festival of the Arts in 2002 and to many festivals and gigs in Italy and abroad.
In September 2003 FF signed to American label Omnium Recordings and released their second album, Home. The new release is even more focused on northern Italian roots than the former one (almost all of the 11 tracks are traditionals, and traditional artists of the old generations feature prominently), but it is also more extreme in sound, with a harder, more “live” approach to electronica. The album was accompanied by a contract with an agent in the USA, SRO Artists, and an American tour, which saw FF perform on the most important American world music festivals and clubs of the period (Chicago, Detroit, Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Louis...). Since January 2004 Home is in distribution in Sweden (by CDA); since March in the UK (by Discovery); on April 16th it will be released in Italy, too (by Mescal).
L.i.l.t.
Fiamma Fumana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to the end titles
No past, no future
Only an eternal present
Ring roads, hypermarkets
Cars slowing down to pick up prostitutes
But if I listen to the stones paving the streets
Lingua Italiana Locale Trasparente
L.I.L.T.
Voice of the world, voice of the earth
Time over time marking the beat
Song of the people, song of history
Does it come from the outside or the inside?
Cradle song to lull to sleep
Serenade to stir passion
Working song, partisan hymn
I want to sing them different but the same
Local Italian language
I want to speak it different but the same
Live in my time without ever forgetting
Mothers, grandmothers, lands, peoples
Local Italian See-through Languages
Old sounds, new meanings
We are still here
Fiamma Fumana's "L.i.l.t." is a song that explores the complexities of language, identity, and history. The song is an ode to the Lingua Italiana Locale Trasparente (L.I.L.T.), which translates to Local Italian See-through Language. The singer of the song reflects on how language is deeply intertwined with their sense of self and their connection to their ancestors and the land.
The opening lines of the song set the stage for its overarching theme of timelessness and the eternal present - the "last pages" and "end titles" suggest a conclusion, but the lack of a past or future skews this sentiment towards an endless cycle. The subsequent lines describe the unremarkable urban environment of ring roads and hypermarkets, but the singer's attention shifts to the stones paving the streets, which evoke an older song. This distinction between the modern and the ancient is mirrored in the titular acronym, which reflects a desire for a transparent and accessible Italian language that is grounded in local history and identity.
The refrain of "Voice of the world, voice of the earth / Time over time marking the beat / Song of the people, song of history" further emphasizes the timelessness of language and music, and the question of whether these forms of expression originate from external or internal sources further complicates the relationship between language and identity. The song ends on a triumphant note, with the singer expressing a desire to "speak them different but the same" and to honor their cultural heritage while living in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Last pages, end of the story
The song is symbolic of ending stories and beginnings, as final pages of stories symbolize conclusions.
Welcome to the end titles
The song greets the audience to the final part of the story, a place where endings are usually mentioned.
No past, no future
The song focuses on the present moment, ignoring both the past and the future.
Only an eternal present
The present moment is all that matters to the author, he/she focuses on the present moment only.
Ring roads, hypermarkets
The song mentions modern transportation and commercial infrastructure that is seen in many urban areas.
Cars slowing down to pick up prostitutes
The author is criticizing the negative aspects of modern life in cities, such as prostitution that occurs on the streets.
But if I listen to the stones paving the streets
The author contrasts the modern noise of the streets and the ancient sounds of the stones underfoot.
I hear a different, older song
By listening to the stones, the author feels he/she can hear a song of the streets from an earlier, purer time.
Lingua Italiana Locale Trasparente
The author introduces the acronym L.I.L.T, which stands for a 'Transparent Local Italian Language,' emphasizing the need to preserve a local dialect in the face of globalization.
Voice of the world, voice of the earth
The author suggests that the song is representative of the voices of the world and the earth.
Time over time marking the beat
The song's beat and rhythm are a constant reminder of time's passage and the continuity of history.
Song of the people, song of history
The song is both a song of the people and a song of history, reflecting a sense of connectedness among all people and all events throughout time.
Does it come from the outside or the inside?
The song's message and inspiration can come from either outside or inside sources, posing a philosophical question for the listener.
Cradle song to lull to sleep
The song can act as a lullaby, creating a sense of comfort and being soothed.
Serenade to stir passion
The song can also stir up passion and inspiration, energizing the listener.
Working song, partisan hymn
The song can also reflect the struggles and hard work of the common people or be used to unite people for a common cause.
I want to sing them different but the same
The author wants to innovate and update the old songs by retaining the essence of the original source and message.
Local Italian language
The author emphasizes the importance of preserving a local dialect of the Italian language.
I want to speak it different but the same
The author wants to use the local language in new ways while maintaining its traditional structure and meaning.
Live in my time without ever forgetting
The author suggests that it is possible to live in the present moment without forgetting our past traditions and cultural heritage.
Mothers, grandmothers, lands, peoples
The author reminds the listeners of the importance of family, place, and culture in shaping our collective identity and heritage.
Local Italian See-through Languages
The author emphasizes the importance of transparent, clear, and honest communication in the local Italian dialect.
Old sounds, new meanings
The author suggests that old songs of the past can still have relevance in the present-day if their messages are updated and given new meanings.
We are still here
The author suggests that despite the challenges that globalization and modernity pose to local cultures, the people, and their traditions still endure.
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.