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.
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Sassi
Gino Paoli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
Io non t'ho saputo amare
non ti ho saputo dare quel che volevi da me
Ogni parola che ci diciamo è stata
detta mille volte
Ogni attimo che noi viviamo è stato
vissuto mille volte
Sassi che il mare ha consumato
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
Sassi che il mare ha consumato
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
Io non t'ho saputo amare
non ti ho saputo dare quel che volevi da me
Ogni parola che ci diciamo è stata
detta mille volte
Ogni attimo che noi viviamo è stato
vissuto mille volte
Sassi che il mare ha consumato
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
The song Sassi by Gino Paoli is a poignant and melancholic reflection on a love that has been lost. The opening lines, "Sassi che il mare ha consumato," which translates to "Stones that the sea has worn away," set the scene of the song. The stones have been shaped over time by the relentless forces of nature, just as the love between the two people in the song has been tested by time and circumstances.
The singer acknowledges that he was unable to love his partner fully and couldn't give her what she needed from him. He expresses regret for this, and his words of love have been worn away, just like the stones by the sea. The repetition of the phrase "sono le mie parole d'amore per te" adds weight to the sorrowful sentiment of the song. " My words of love for you" have become like the stones, eroded and defeated.
The song speaks of the inevitable repetitiveness of life, in which every word and moment shared is merely a repeat of previous ones. Perhaps the singer is suggesting that it is only through the erosion of the repetitiveness of daily life that we can find true meaning in love. In conclusion, Sassi is a touching and wistful song that emphasizes the beauty and fragility of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sassi che il mare ha consumato
My once passionate expressions of love for you have been worn down by the endless ebb and flow of life.
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
These rocks represent the words of love that I failed to express to you in a meaningful way.
Io non t'ho saputo amare
I realize now that I was never able to fully love you.
non ti ho saputo dare quel che volevi da me
I now see that I was unable to provide you with all that you desired from our relationship.
Ogni parola che ci diciamo è stata
Every word we exchange has been spoken countless times before.
detta mille volte
Repetitive and lacking in genuine emotion.
Ogni attimo che noi viviamo è stato
Every moment we spend together has been lived countless times before.
vissuto mille volte
Devoid of spontaneity or novelty.
sono le mie parole d'amore per te
These rocks serve as a constant reminder of my failed attempts to express my affection for you.
Writer(s): PAOLI GINO
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.