He released his first albums under the Jovanotti byname to later switch into his real name (Lorenzo), as of the mid-nineties.
Most of his output is hip-hop influenced, although not most of his work should be viewed as hip hop music per se. Many of his songs are not hip hop related and may probably be best viewed as part of the earlier Italian cantautore tradition. Some of his earlier work is also closer to keyboard-heavy 1980s pop. Most of his songs are sung in the Italian language; he also released a Spanish-language greatest hits album. His live album includes a short version of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight". Jovanotti appears on several international compilations, most notably Red Hot + Rhapsody, a 1998 tribute to George Gershwin, on which he performed "I Got Rhythm". Jovanotti has also appeared in one Luciano Pavarotti's charity concert in 1996.
His CD, Buon Sangue, includes influences from both rock and old school hip hop. It is one of his most innovative works to date. Edoardo Bennato collaborated on one track, while bass player Saturnino co-wrote two of the songs.
One of his most recent CDs, "Ora", breaks new ground with a new style of production.
Mani Libere 2008
Jovanotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Quante domande mi affollano la testa
In questi giorni di grande dolore
Oggi è il primo giorno del tempo che ci resta
Un giorno buono per incominciare
Quante persone ci son passate già
Da questo incrocio pieno di domande
Milioni di milioni da qui all'eternità
Ma la risposta non è mai abbastanza grande
Per riempire il vuoto che ci manca
Per riempire il cuore dell'umanità
I got so many questions running up inside my mind
I got so many questions running up inside my mind
Life is long but it isn't still enough time
To answer all the questions I got inside my mind
Io vorrei spingermi un poco più aldilà
Dove la musica è un fuoco che ci unisce
E fa brillare tutta la realtà
Dove la verità non appassisce
Sunshine is a friend of mine
Rainfall is a friend of mine
Earthquake is a friend of mine
Bodyshake is a friend of mine
Technology is a friend of mine
Electricity is a friend of mine
Bassline is a friend of mine
La conga is a friend of mine
Il ritmo is a friend of mine
Il cielo is a friend of mine
Underwater is a friend of mine
The holy spirit is a friend of mine
Silence is a friend of mine
Violence not a friend of mine
My friend is a friend of mine
My enemy is a friend of mine
Mani libere, mani mani libere
Mani libere, mani mani libere
Mani libere, mani mani libere
Mani libere, mani mani libere
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
I got so many questions running up inside my mind
I got so many questions running up inside my mind
Life is long but it isn't still enough time
To answer all the questions I got inside my mind
Quante persone ci son passate già
Da questo incrocio pieno di domande
Milioni di milioni da qui all' eternità
Ma la risposta non è mai abbastanza grande
Per riempire il vuoto che ci manca
Per riempire il cuore dell'umanità
Per riempire il vuoto che ci manca
Per riempire il cuore dell'umanità
Sunshine is a friend of mine
Rainfall is a friend of mine
Bodyshake is a friend of mine
Earthquake is a friend of mine
Balla questo ritmo che ti fa buon sangue
Schiarisce le idee e poi ti scioglie le gambe
Crea una connessione con le onde e le distanze
Un solo ritmo sei milioni di altre danze
Balla questo ritmo che ogni cosa si trasforma
Quello che era strano poi diventerà la norma
Quello che non c'è ancora è già da qualche parte
Quello che è passato ha influenza sulla sorte
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mani libere, oh, oh, oh, oh
Io sono un punto esclamativo al centro del mediterraneo
Niente di umano mi è estraneo
Io sono un punto esclamativo al centro del mediterraneo
Niente di umano mi è estraneo
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
Make your body rock it move it move it
The lyrics of Jovanotti's song 'Mani Libere 2008' express the artist's contemplation of life and the existence of humanity. The repeated lines "I got so many questions running up inside my mind" convey the confusion and turmoil one can experience when faced with the complexity of life's big questions. Jovanotti wonders about the purpose of life, the existence of humanity, and why we all struggle with the same unanswered questions. He also questions why people keep passing through an intersection full of questions and uncertainties with no definitive answers.
In the poem, Jovanotti looks to music as a powerful force that unites people and brings clarity to life. He invites his listeners to dance to the rhythm of life, as it renews energy, lightens the mind, and removes tension. With "Mani Libere'' (meaning "free hands"), he suggests throwing one's hands in the air, releasing oneself from worries and anxieties. The phrase "make your body rock it move it move it" repeats to encourage listeners to let go of their fears and embrace the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Make your body rock it move it move it
Encouragement to move and dance
Quante domande mi affollano la testa
Expressing the multitude of questions in one's mind
In questi giorni di grande dolore
In the midst of a difficult time
Oggi è il primo giorno del tempo che ci resta
Each day is a chance to make the most of our time
Un giorno buono per incominciare
A good day to start taking action
Quante persone ci son passate già
Reflecting on the many who have come before us
Da questo incrocio pieno di domande
Life is full of difficult decisions
Milioni di milioni da qui all'eternità
Countless people who have lived and will live
Ma la risposta non è mai abbastanza grande
There is no ultimate answer that can fill the void
Per riempire il vuoto che ci manca
Trying to fill the emptiness within us
Per riempire il cuore dell'umanità
Hoping to bring peace and happiness to all people
Io vorrei spingermi un poco più aldilà
Desire to go beyond the limitations of the present
Dove la musica è un fuoco che ci unisce
Where music brings people together
E fa brillare tutta la realtà
Where everything is illuminated and clear
Dove la verità non appassisce
Where the truth remains eternal
Sunshine is a friend of mine
Appreciating the different elements in life
Rainfall is a friend of mine
Earthquake is a friend of mine
Bodyshake is a friend of mine
Technology is a friend of mine
Electricity is a friend of mine
Bassline is a friend of mine
La conga is a friend of mine
Il ritmo is a friend of mine
Il cielo is a friend of mine
Underwater is a friend of mine
The holy spirit is a friend of mine
Silence is a friend of mine
Appreciating the value of quiet and stillness
Violence not a friend of mine
Rejecting violence and aggression
My friend is a friend of mine
Recognizing the importance of our friends
My enemy is a friend of mine
Choosing to see our enemies as potential friends
Balla questo ritmo che ti fa buon sangue
Inviting people to dance to the rhythm that makes them feel good
Schiarisce le idee e poi ti scioglie le gambe
Dancing can clear the mind and loosen the body
Crea una connessione con le onde e le distanze
Dancing can connect us across time and space
Un solo ritmo sei milioni di altre danze
One rhythm can inspire countless dances
Quello che era strano poi diventerà la norma
What was once strange can become familiar
Quello che non c'è ancora è già da qualche parte
The future already exists in some form
Quello che è passato ha influenza sulla sorte
The past can have an impact on our present and future
Mani libere, mani mani libere
Free hands represent freedom and liberation
Io sono un punto esclamativo al centro del mediterraneo
Feeling like an exclamation point in the world
Niente di umano mi è estraneo
Identifying with all aspects of humanity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LORENZO CHERUBINI, MICHAEL FRANTI, RICCARDO ONORI, SATURNINO CELANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind