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.
Segnali Di Vita
Franco Battiato Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Il senso le amicizie le opinioni
Che voglia di cambiare che c'è in me
Si sente il bisogno di una propria evoluzione
Sganciata dalle regole comuni
Da questa falsa personalità
Le luci fanno ricordare
Le meccaniche celesti
Rumori che fanno sottofondo per le stelle
Lo spazio cosmico si sta ingrandendo
E le galassie si allontanano
Ti accorgi di come vola bassa la mia mente?
È colpa dei pensieri associativi
Se non riesco a stare adesso qui
Segnali di vita nei cortili e nelle case all'imbrunire
Le luci fanno ricordare
Le meccaniche celesti
Le luci fanno ricordare
Le meccaniche celesti
The song "Segnali di Vita" by Franco Battiato is a reflective ballad about the changes that occur in life over time. Battiato contemplates how time can alter one's perspective, altering friendships, and opinions. In the song, he expresses a desire for change and reflects on his own evolution as a person. He wants to break free of the common rules and the fake personalities that life sometimes demands, asserting that he feels the need for a personal revolution.
The second half of the song delves into the overarching cosmic themes of the universe. Battiato paints a picture of a serene evening, where the signals of life can be seen in the courtyards and homes. The lights make him remember the mechanics of the cosmos, evoking the vastness of space and the growing distance between galaxies. He acknowledges the racing thoughts that fill his head, and how it's challenging to stay present when associative ideas are triggered.
Overall, the lyrics of "Segnali di Vita" showcase Battiato's philosophical musings on life and existence, his desire for personal growth, and the transcendent themes of the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Il tempo cambia molte cose nella vita
The passage of time causes many changes in life
Il senso le amicizie le opinioni
The meaning, friendships and opinions are subject to change
Che voglia di cambiare che c'è in me
There is a desire for change within me
Si sente il bisogno di una propria evoluzione
The need for personal growth is felt
Sganciata dalle regole comuni
Released from common rules
Da questa falsa personalità
From this false personality
Segnali di vita nei cortili e nelle case all'imbrunire
Signs of life in courtyards and houses at dusk
Le luci fanno ricordare
The lights bring memories to mind
Le meccaniche celesti
The workings of the universe
Rumori che fanno sottofondo per le stelle
Noises hum in the background beneath the stars
Lo spazio cosmico si sta ingrandendo
The cosmic space is expanding
E le galassie si allontanano
And the galaxies are moving away from each other
Ti accorgi di come vola bassa la mia mente?
Do you notice how low my mind is flying?
È colpa dei pensieri associativi
It's because of associative thoughts
Se non riesco a stare adesso qui
If I can't be present here now
Le luci fanno ricordare
The lights bring memories to mind
Le meccaniche celesti
The workings of the universe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Franco Battiato, Giusto Pio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind