He made his debut in 1962 and quickly placed high at or won a number of Italian popular song festivals, including the Canzonissima festival in 1969.
In 1970, he represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest with Occhi Di Ragazza. His career went into a decline in the 1970s but underwent a revival in the 1980s. He won the Festival of San Remo in 1987, placed second in 1995 and third in 2000.
It is estimated that Morandi has sold 30 million records and CDs. He has written a number of autobiographical books and appeared in 18 films.
In TV he has played in 1984 Claude Jade's husband Davide in TV-Series Voglia di volare.
Questi Figli
Gianni Morandi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dove andranno mai
tanta fretta nelle gambe
e sempre dentro ai guai
questi figli, questi figli
gomma ai denti e poi
jeans di moda e mani in tasca
musica e bignèe !
Ma che figli questi figli
troppa libertà
sempre zitti tristi allegri
e chi li capirà
quanti affanni questi figli
e privazioni a noi
con gli amici e amore in testa
non li fermi mai !
Che ora abbiamo fatto
non fa bene pensare
in fondo a modo loro
mi tengono nel cuore
ma se spengo la luce
sto lì a rimuginare
Gesù fammi dormire
domani a lavorare !
Questi figli senza sbagli
gidano coi no
no ai divieti, no ai consigli
ti sparano le idee !
Tutti uguali questi figli
sudano ironia
soldi e sabati all'ingrosso
per schizzare via !
Che ora abbiamo fatto
non fa bene pensare
in fondo a modo loro
mi tengono nel cuore
chissà poi io com'ero
oh mamma mia 'sti figli
Gesù fammi dormire
guai a te se me li togli !
Gianni Morandi's song "Questi Figli" portrays the struggle of parents to apprehend their children's behavior in the face of the changing societal norms, and the challenges they face to relate to their young ones. The lyrics depict the youths as fiercely independent, always in trouble, seeming to rush through life, and never willing to heed advice or rules. The chorus, "questi figli, questi figli, dove andranno mai" epitomizes the incertitude that surrounds their future.
Morandi opines that parents have to be understanding and patient, for the kids are trying to find their footing in the world. He admires their tenacity, ability to navigate abstract concepts such as love, life, money, and an unflinching loyalty to friends. He acknowledges that it's hard for parents to let go and trust that their offspring will eventually find their way. As protective as they are, parents have to come to terms with the fact that they can only do so much, and it's up to their progenies to make sense of an ever-evolving world.
Morandi's song resonated with many Italians, particularly the older generation, as it highlights the generation gap, a divide that has always existed and continues to present itself in different ways. The song captures the emergence of a new culture and the disillusionment it brings to parents who can barely keep up. It's a mirror image of the clash between tradition and modernity that affects parents and children as they learn to adapt to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Questi figli, questi figli dove andranno mai
These children, where will they end up going?
Tanta fretta nelle gambe e sempre dentro ai guai
They are always in a hurry and getting into trouble.
Questi figli, questi figli gomma ai denti e poi
These children have bubble gum in their mouths and wear fashionable jeans with their hands in their pockets, enjoying music and donuts!
Jeans di moda e mani in tasca musica e bignè!
They dress fashionably and hold themselves with a lazy, casual stance while enjoying their hobbies.
Ma che figli questi figli troppa libertà
But these children have too much freedom.
Sempre zitti tristi allegri e chi li capirà
They are either completely silent, miserable, or overly jolly, and no one understands them.
Quanti affanni questi figli e privazioni a noi
These children have too many worries, and we suffer for it.
Con gli amici e amore in testa non li fermi mai!
With their friends and love on their minds, they cannot be restrained.
Che ora abbiamo fatto non fa bene pensare
It is not good to think of what we have done.
In fondo a modo loro mi tengono nel cuore
After all, they are in their own way dear to me.
Ma se spengo la luce sto lì a rimuginare
But, if I turn off the light, I will be left to think and brood.
Gesù fammi dormire domani a lavorare!
Help me sleep and get some rest, Jesus, for I have to work tomorrow!
Questi figli senza sbagli gidano coi no
These kids live by always saying no to everything.
No ai divieti, no ai consigli ti sparano le idee!
They go against everything, refuse to take advice or follow directions, and shoot down every idea.
Tutti uguali questi figli sudano ironia
All these children seem to use irony as a shield from all criticism.
Soldi e sabati all'ingrosso per schizzare via!
They spend a fortune on stuff and party hard on weekends to escape.
Chissà poi io com'ero oh mamma mia 'sti figli
I wonder how I was at their age! These kids drive me crazy!
Gesù fammi dormire guai a te se me li togli!
Jesus, help me sleep and don’t ever take them away from me!
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.