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).
Via del ritorno
Fiamma Fumana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dazzling sky
Tree-lined roads in the sun
Grey factories
Working women
And the motorway, far away
In the shadow of the courtyards
Sports clubs and kindergartens
HAY LADDIE
HAY LADDIE - O
I have other skies in my eyes
More windy and pure
Stretching over foreign lands
In my hair I have the sand
Of desert trails
On my lips other loves
But the song remains
The song of old
And now I have returned
The song "Via del Ritorno" by Fiamma Fumana talks about the beauty of the singer's hometown, as well as her attachment to it. The first stanza describes the physical beauty of the place, with white clouds, a dazzling sky, and tree-lined roads, while the second paints a picture of everyday life, with grey factories and working women. However, the singer still feels a sense of longing for the place, even as she has traveled to foreign lands, with other skies in her eyes, and the sand of desert trails in her hair. The song ends with the repeated phrase of "Hay Laddie" and a declaration that, despite everything, the song of the old place still remains with her, and now she has returned.
The song celebrates the idea of home and how it can stay with people even as they travel and experience new things. It also shows the beauty in the mundane and everyday experiences, such as sitting in the shadow of courtyards or sports clubs and kindergartens. Fiamma Fumana is known for their use of traditional and contemporary sounds to create unique and captivating music, as well as for their commitment to promoting minority cultures and languages.
Line by Line Meaning
White clouds
The sky is decorated with fluffy clouds that look like cotton balls.
Dazzling sky
The bright blue sky shines like a diamond in the sun.
Tree-lined roads in the sun
The roads are covered with trees that provide shade and make the scenery more beautiful on a sunny day.
Grey factories
The factories are old, big buildings that are colored in gray and maybe symbolize industrialization.
Working women
The women are hard at work, maybe working in the factories or somewhere else. They are strong and powerful in their own way.
And the motorway, far away
The highway is not in sight, but it is far off in the distance.
Old men sitting
Elderly men are relaxing, taking a break from their daily routine.
In the shadow of the courtyards
They sit in the shelter of courtyards, partially shielded from the scorching sun.
Sports clubs and kindergartens
The area has facilities for children to play and for adults to get fit and healthy.
HAY LADDIE
This could be a nonsensical sound or a traditional Scottish greeting.
HAY LADDIE - O
This phrase could also be a traditional Scottish greeting with an emphasis on the exclamation.
I have other skies in my eyes
The artist has seen different places with different skies that are just as lovely as what she sees now.
More windy and pure
These other skies are gustier and more pristine than the current skies.
Stretching over foreign lands
The skies are above foreign countries, which are unfamiliar and new to the singer.
In my hair I have the sand
The singer has traces of the desert in her hair, indicating that she has recently traveled there.
Of desert trails
The artist has followed pathways through the barren desert land.
On my lips other loves
The artist has experienced new forms of affection in different lands.
But the song remains
Despite being in different places and experiencing different things, the song stays the same - most likely referring to the song the singer is singing or the melody of life that carries on regardless of location.
The song of old
The song is old, possibly reflecting the customs and traditions that persist over time.
And now I have returned
The artist has come back to this familiar place after being away for a while.
Contributed by Hudson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.