The meeting of 5 punk (though it was then on the decline), new wave and simply rock music fans with then no musical background gave birth to Litfiba.
The band was born in Florence in 1980. The name Litfiba is the mixing of several words: Località ("place"), ITalia (Italy), FIrenze ("Florence") and via dei BArdi ("Bardi street" where the band was based). The original band was composed of four members: Federico Renzulli (nicknamed Ghigo) on guitars, Gianni Maroccolo on bass, Sandro Dotta on solo guitar (who left the band after a few weeks) and Francesco Calamai on drums. Vocals were then performed by Renzulli. Antonio Aiazzi on keyboards and Piero Pelù on vocals joined the band shortly after.
From the early 1980s until now, the band evolved from a British influenced new wave pop-rock to a more personal and inspired rock music, always with Italian singing. Litfiba is often considered Italy's most important and influential rock band.
Piero Pelù left the band July 11th, 1999 pursuing a solo career.
Ghigo then decided to follow on immediately with a renewed and rejuvenated band. New singer Gianluigi Cabo Cavallo, bass and drums player Gianluca Venier e Ugo Nativi from the funk-rock band Malfunk join Litfiba.
The new group deprived of its historical frontman releases 4 albums (Elettromacumba, Insidia, LiveOnLine, Essere o sembrare)
In the beginning of November 2006 Cabo decided to leave Litfiba.
Àfrica
Litfiba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah,.....
...
Guga, guga, yeah
Heyeah,..
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 L'anno zero, la foreste di metallo
Vedi che mi trasforma, da fiore a scimmia e una scintilla
Africa, Africa, Africa
Potere di un gran guerriero, che lancia casa per vivere cosi'
L'Africa, Africa, Africa, Africa,.... L'Europa
Tam, tam, senza giungla, potere nero potere bianco
Buono quel che e' buono e male quel che e; male
Ognuno ha il suo modo di giudicare
Se e' buono quel che e' buono, e male quel che e' male
Ognuno ha la ragione per condannare
Africa, Africa, .... in Europa
Fuoco rosso fuoco, mi allungo fino alle nuvole
Potere della memoria, potere bianco potere nero
E' buono quel che e' buono, e' male quel che e' male
Ognuno ha una ragione per condannare
E' buono quel che e' buono, e' male quel che e' male
Africa, Africa, ....
No alle intolleranze, No al razzismo
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, uhe
The lyrics of Litfiba's song Africa are a powerful statement against intolerance and racism. The song begins with tribal chants and drumbeats, creating an atmosphere evocative of Africa. Then, the lyrics mention "the year zero" and "metal forests," suggesting a dystopian world where nature has been destroyed. In this context, the reference to "flower turning into monkey" and "spark" could connote the transformation of humanity into a primitive and violent species.
However, the chorus brings the focus back to Africa, as the singer repeats the continent's name several times with increasing intensity. The line "Fire, red fire, I reach up to the clouds" could express the idea of Africa as a symbol of liberation and strength, untamed and unyielding. The second verse repeats the references to power (black and white), but it also includes the statement "Everyone has a reason to condemn." This line suggests that no group or culture is wholly good or bad, and that judgments and prejudices are subjective and arbitrary.
The last lines of the song present a clear message against intolerance and racism, stating "No to intolerance, No to racism." The repeated countdown from six to one gives the song a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of this message of unity and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Uga, uga uga e
Expressing a primal, earthy energy
Yeah,.....
A continuation of the primal energy, with a sense of excitement
...
Guga, guga, yeah
More primal energy and excitement
Heyeah,..
A continuation of the primal energy and excitement
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 L'anno zero, la foreste di metallo
Counting down to the year zero, a metaphorical representation of a metal forest where everything has been reset and reborn
Vedi che mi trasforma, da fiore a scimmia e una scintilla
Transformation from something fragile and beautiful into something wild and primitive, sparked by a certain stimulus
Africa, Africa, Africa
Repeatedly calling upon the power and essence of Africa
Fuoco, rosso fuoco, mi allungo fino alle nuvole
A depiction of passion, power and ambition that rises to its peak, reaching for the clouds
Potere di un gran guerriero, che lancia casa per vivere cosi'
The power and spirit of a great warrior that sacrifices everything for their way of life
L'Africa, Africa, Africa, Africa,.... L'Europa
The repeated call to Africa, contrasted with Europe
Tam, tam, senza giungla, potere nero potere bianco
The sound of African drums, representing the power and clash of black and white cultures
Buono quel che e' buono e male quel che e; male
The standard for what is considered good or bad is different for each person
Ognuno ha il suo modo di giudicare
Each person has their own way of making judgments
Se e' buono quel che e' buono, e male quel che e' male
If something is good, it's good, and if it's bad, it's bad
Ognuno ha la ragione per condannare
Each person has their reasons for condemning
Africa, Africa, .... in Europa
The constant call for Africa, even within the context of Europe
Potere della memoria, potere bianco potere nero
The power of memory, and the power struggle between white and black cultures
E' buono quel che e' buono, e' male quel che e' male
The standard for good and bad is objective
Ognuno ha una ragione per condannare
Each person has their reasons for condemning
E' buono quel che e' buono, e' male quel che e' male
The standard for good and bad is objective
Africa, Africa, ....
Continuing to call for Africa
No alle intolleranze, No al razzismo
Rejecting intolerance and racism
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, uhe
Counting down, with a final exclamation
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chicio
Il vero Rock italiano.
A distanza di quasi 30 anni questa canzone è ancora una BOMBA.
Nicola Gonnella
a distanza di 24 anni, questa canzone è attualissima, e fa veramente riflettere molto. 896 likes, non bastano: grandissimi Liftba
Marco Ambrosino
Non nasce dal colore né dall appartenenza ,quell odio che ti prende e cattiva coscienza ..capolavoro assoluto anche nel 2023
Antonio Unicatt
Liftiba da sempre la più GRANDE Rock Band italiana di tutti i tempi... SIETE IL SANGUE CHE SCORRE NELLE MIE VENE !!!
Emil_79
Sonorità metal! Mai più vera questa canzone con il periodo che viviamo oggi..... Erano avanti anni luce con questa! Grandi Litfiba sempre!
Vincenzo Benanti
Sempre brividi quando si ascoltano i litfiba, li ho sempre amati! Le loro canzoni sono eterne...
Dom Ras
Che pezzone!!! ♥️♥️🎸
Cristina Carboni
Eccezzionale.. Litfiba unici..mai più nessuno come loro..il Top..i numeri uno in assoluto
Francesco Zampaglione
Quanto erano avanti. Unici Litfiba
Odisseo
che Voce particolare!
solo in Italia gli artisti vengono sottovalutati!
Meritava il triplo del successo che ha avuto!!!!!!!!!