Gino Paoli (born 23 September 1934) is an Italian singer-songwriter.
Read Full Bio ↴Gino Paoli (born 23 September 1934) is an Italian singer-songwriter.

Paoli was born in Monfalcone, but moved very early to Genoa.

After several different jobs, he was called by Ricordi with his friends Luigi Tenco and Bruno Lauzi. His first success was the single "La gatta". This was followed by "Sapore di sale", arranged by Ennio Morricone. In the same year he attempted suicide by shooting at his heart, but he survived.

In 1974 he returned with the LP I semafori rossi non sono Dio, followed by Il mio mestiere (1977). Both showed a more mature inspiration than his 1960s works. In the 1980s Paoli procuded a series of successful albums, and in 1985 he toured Italy together with Ornella Vanoni.

In 1987 he was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies for the Italian Communist Party. He abandoned politics in 1992.

He was married with actress Stefania Sandrelli, from whom he divorced. Their daughter Amanda Sandrelli is also an actress.
wikipedia.org

Al di là
Gino Paoli Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Se tu non fossi così piccola
Io ti regalerei delle cose grandi
Grandi e meravigliose

Per te
Per te comprerei la luna
E poi
Poi la sera spegnerei il sole

Per farti dormire
Nel laghetto dei giardini pubblici
Le perle per te io cercherei
E sono sicuro
Che io le troverei
Ma sei tanto tanto piccola
E non posso che regalarti
Cose piccole come te
E per prima
Attaccata a una catenina di latta

Quella piccola cosa
Che è il mio cuor

Overall Meaning

In Gino Paoli's song "Al di là," the lyrics convey a sense of profound affection and a desire to give immense love and care to someone who is depicted as small or young. The opening lines express the singer's willingness to offer grand and wonderful things if the person were not so small. It symbolizes the singer's longing to provide extravagant gestures and experiences to enhance the recipient's life.

The lyrics suggest that the singer would buy the moon for the person, symbolizing their willingness to go to great lengths to fulfill their desires. Furthermore, they would even extinguish the sun in the evening to create a tranquil environment for the person to sleep peacefully. This showcases the singer's devotion and willingness to create a world conducive to the recipient's contentment.

The mention of the "laghetto dei giardini pubblici" (the pond in the public gardens) accentuates the tenderness and innocence of the relationship. It portrays the singer's willingness to embark on an adventure to find pearls, metaphorically representing precious and rare treasures symbolizing the love and devotion they have for the person. The singer is confident that they will find these pearls, further illustrating their dedication and determination in providing delightful and unexpected gifts.

However, despite their desire to offer grand gestures and magnificent gifts, the singer recognizes that the person is "tanto tanto piccola" (so very small), and therefore, they can only give small things that are comparable to the person's size. They acknowledge their limitations in meeting the person's desires and can only present gifts that are as small and delicate as the recipient.

Finally, the mention of the "catenina di latta" (tin chain) symbolizes the singer's heart being attached to a small, insignificant object, demonstrating the deep emotional attachment and devotion they feel for the person. It implies that their entire being, represented by their heart, is connected to the person, even in something as simple as a humble piece of tin. This line emphasizes the profound and immeasurable love the singer holds for the recipient, surpassing any material or grand gestures they may desire to offer, as even something small is beyond measure when it is filled with love.

Line by Line Meaning

Se tu non fossi così piccola
If you weren't so small

Io ti regalerei delle cose grandi
I would give you big things

Grandi e meravigliose
Large and marvelous

Per te
For you

Per te comprerei la luna
For you, I would buy the moon

E poi
And then

Poi la sera spegnerei il sole
Then in the evening, I would turn off the sun

Per farti dormire
To make you sleep

Nel laghetto dei giardini pubblici
In the small pond of the public gardens

Le perle per te io cercherei
I would search for pearls for you

E sono sicuro
And I'm sure