Centro Di Gravità Permanente
Franco Battiato Lyrics


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Una vecchia bretone
Con un cappello e un ombrello di carta di riso e canna di bambù
Capitani coraggiosi
Furbi contrabbandieri macedoni
Gesuiti euclidei
Vestiti come dei bonzi per entrare a corte degli imperatori
Della dinastia dei Ming
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
Che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
Avrei bisogno di
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
Che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
Over and over again

Per le strade di Pechino erano giorni di maggio
Tra noi si scherzava a raccogliere ortiche
Non sopporto i cori russi
La musica finto rock la new wave italiana il free jazz punk inglese
Neanche la nera africana

Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
Che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
Avrei bisogno di
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
Che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
Over and over again

You are a woman in love
Baby I need your love
I want your love
Over and over again
Come in into my life




Baby, I want to give you my soul
Baby, I need your love

Overall Meaning

Centro di gravità permanente, which translates to "Center of permanent gravity," is a song by Franco Battiato that was released in 1981. The song describes the singer's search for a permanent center of gravity, something that will never change his mind regardless of the people or things around him. The lyrics mention various characters, including a Breton woman with a paper and bamboo umbrella, courageous captains, Macedonian smugglers, Jesuits drawn from Euclid, and members of the Ming Dynasty's imperial court. Battiato sings about his dislike for Russian choruses, fake rock music, Italian new wave, English punk, and African music.


The lyrics of Centro di gravità permanente are very rich with imagery and symbolism. The characters mentioned can be interpreted as representing different worldviews or philosophies, with the search for a permanent center of gravity representing the singer's desire for a stable and unchanging belief system. The idea of a center of gravity is also associated with science and physics, where it defines the point around which an object's weight is evenly distributed, and the object remains balanced. The song can thus be seen as a meditation on the balance between stability and change, both in the personal and the social spheres.


The lyrics also touch on themes of cultural identity and the rejection of conformity. Battiato sings about his search for something authentic and original, rejecting various music styles and cultures that he perceives as artificial or derivative. This rejection of conformity is also reflected in the refrain, where he asks for love that will never change or be influenced by external forces. Overall, Centro di gravità permanente is a deep and thought-provoking song that invites reflection on the search for stability and authenticity in a rapidly changing world.


Line by Line Meaning

Una vecchia bretone
A Breton woman


Con un cappello e un ombrello di carta di riso e canna di bambù
Wearing a hat and carrying a paper, rice, and bamboo umbrella


Capitani coraggiosi
Brave captains


Furbi contrabbandieri macedoni
Sly Macedonian smugglers


Gesuiti euclidei
Euclidean Jesuits


Vestiti come dei bonzi per entrare a corte degli imperatori
Dressed as Buddhist monks to enter the emperors' court


Della dinastia dei Ming
Of the Ming dynasty


Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
I'm looking for a center of permanent gravity


Che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
That never changes my mind about things and people


Avrei bisogno di
I would need


Over and over again
Repeatedly


Per le strade di Pechino erano giorni di maggio
On the streets of Beijing, it was May


Tra noi si scherzava a raccogliere ortiche
We joked about gathering nettles


Non sopporto i cori russi
I can't stand Russian choirs


La musica finto rock la new wave italiana il free jazz punk inglese
Fake rock music, Italian new wave, English free jazz punk


Neanche la nera africana
Not even African black music


You are a woman in love
You are a woman in love


Baby I need your love
Baby, I need your love


I want your love
I want your love


Come in into my life
Come into my life


Baby, I want to give you my soul
Baby, I want to give you my soul


Baby, I need your love
Baby, I need your love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Franco Battiato, Giusto Pio

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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