He is considered one of the most original personalities in Italian music from the 1970s to now. Battiato's songs are dreamy, controversial collages of images and sensations, very experimental and convoluted, rich of esoteric, philosophical and East Asian religious themes.
His collaborations (from 1994 onward) with the nihilistic-cynical philosopher Manlio Sgalambro have added further depth to his apparently nonsensical lyrics, with references to Emil Cioran, Friedrich Nietzsche and other anarchistic and problematic thinkers.
Cuccurucucù
Franco Battiato Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Le serenate all'istituto magistrale
Nell'ora di ginnastica o di religione
Per carnevale suonavo sopra i carri in maschera
"Il mare nel cassetto"
"Le mille bolle blu"
Da quando sei andata via non esisto più
"Il mondo è grigio il mondo è blu"
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
L'ira funesta dei profughi afgani
Che dal confine si spostarono nell'Iran
Cantami o diva dei pellerossa americani
Le gesta erotiche di Squaw "pelle di luna"
Le penne stilografiche con l'inchiostro blu
La barba col rasoio elettrico non la faccio più
"Il mondo è grigio il mondo è blu"
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Lady Madonna
I can try
With a little help from my friends
Whoa goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Come on baby let's twist again
Once upon the time you dressed so fine, Mary
Like just a woman
Like a Rolling Stone
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Cuccurucucu paloma
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
Lady Madonna
I can try
With a little help from my friends
Oh goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Come on baby let's twist again
Once upon the time you dressed so fine, Mary
Like just a woman
Like a Rolling Stone
The song "Cuccurucucu" by Franco Battiato is a poetic portrayal of nostalgia, loss, and confusion. The repeated chant of "Cuccurucucu paloma, ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava" creates an eerie and melancholic tone throughout the song. The first verse depicts the artist's fond memories of singing with his classmates during gym or religious class, and even playing music during carnival season. He had dreams of exploring the universe and the deep blue sea, but after the departure of a loved one, he feels his existence and the world around him has lost its vibrancy. The second verse takes a different turn and includes references to the struggles of Afghan refugees and the erotic exploits of Native American women, as well as a personal realization of the changes he's undergone, including giving up on using an electric razor. The following references to other popular songs and artists seem almost like a stream of consciousness, reflecting a sense of longing and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuccurucucu paloma
The sound of a dove that represents the emotion of the song
Ahia-ia-ia-iai cantava
The sounds that accompany the singing of the dove
Le serenate all'istituto magistrale
The serenades singing in the teaching institute
Nell'ora di ginnastica o di religione
During gym or religious class
Per carnevale suonavo sopra i carri in maschera
Playing music on the carnival floats
Avevo già la luna e urano nel leone
Having the feeling of being special and out of this world
"Il mare nel cassetto"
Feeling confined in a small space like the sea in a box
"Le mille bolle blu"
Feeling nostalgic for the past and childhood days
Da quando sei andata via non esisto più
Feeling lost and incomplete without a special someone
"Il mondo è grigio il mondo è blu"
Having a melancholic view of the world
L'ira funesta dei profughi afgani
Feeling empathy and despair towards Afghan refugees
Che dal confine si spostarono nell'Iran
The difficulties and challenges that these refugees face
Cantami o diva dei pellerossa americani
Asking for guidance and inspiration like a Native American Goddess
Le gesta erotiche di Squaw "pelle di luna"
Expressing sexual desires and fantasies
Le penne stilografiche con l'inchiostro blu
The luxury and elegance of using fountain pens with blue ink
La barba col rasoio elettrico non la faccio più
No longer caring about appearance and grooming habits
"Il mondo è grigio il mondo è blu"
Having a melancholic view of the world
Lady Madonna
Referencing the song by The Beatles
I can try
Having the desire to move forward and change the world
With a little help from my friends
Believing that success comes from the support of others
Oh goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Referencing the song by The Rolling Stones about a lost love
Come on baby let's twist again
Inviting someone to have fun and dance
Once upon the time you dressed so fine, Mary
Reflecting on beautiful past memories
Like just a woman
Appreciating the beauty of women
Like a Rolling Stone
Referencing the song by Bob Dylan about someone who has lost everything
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Franco Battiato, Giusto Pio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind