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
Un vecchio bambino
Gino Paoli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Un vecchio bambino
In un giardino
Vecchie foglie gialle
Che cadono dagli alberi
A due a due
Un cane bastardo
Senza museruola
Portato via dall'accalappiacani
Un vecchio bambino
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Un vecchio bambino
In un giardino
Un cane bastardo
Senza museruola
Portato via dall'accalappiacani
Un vecchio bambino
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Un vecchio bambino
In un giardino
The lyrics to Gino Paoli's song "Un vecchio bambino" tell the story of an old man who is reminiscent of his youth as he plays with a robin in a garden. The first stanza describes the old man as a "vecchio bambino," or an old child, which highlights his childlike curiosity and innocence. As he plays with the robin, he is surrounded by old yellow leaves falling from the trees, which are described as dancing couples. This metaphorical description adds to the nostalgic and wistful tone of the song.
The second stanza introduces a stray dog without a muzzle that was taken away by the dogcatcher. This detail adds a touch of sadness and loss to the scene, as the old man likely empathizes with the dog's situation. The third stanza repeats the first, emphasizing the old man's childlike behavior and the joy that he finds in playing with the robin.
Overall, "Un vecchio bambino" is a song about cherishing the simple pleasures of life and the memories of youth. While the tale of the old man and the garden is specific to the song, it contains universal themes that anyone can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Playing with a robin
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
In un giardino
In a garden
Vecchie foglie gialle
Old yellow leaves
Che cadono dagli alberi
Falling from the trees
A due a due
In pairs
Come coppie che ballano
Like dancing couples
Un cane bastardo
A mongrel dog
Senza museruola
Without a muzzle
Portato via dall'accalappiacani
Taken away by the dog catcher
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Playing with a robin
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
In un giardino
In a garden
Un cane bastardo
A mongrel dog
Senza museruola
Without a muzzle
Portato via dall'accalappiacani
Taken away by the dog catcher
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
Che gioca con un pettirosso
Playing with a robin
Un vecchio bambino
An old child
In un giardino
In a garden
Writer(s): Gino Paoli
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rossella Lippolis
Infinita poesia che stravolge il cuore.
MrRudvant
Degna di stare fra le più belle, ma purtroppo meno conosciuta! Forse è qui l' anima più poetica ed intima di Paoli. Un piccolo gioiello! Grazie di esistere, Gino!
Simona Adamoli
quanta poesia.......