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.
Istanbul
Litfiba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Padrone dell' Universo
Misericordioso e compassionevole
Onnipotente
Nel giorno del giudizio
A te Rivolgiamo la nostra preghiera
E a te chiediamo l'aiuto
Indicaci la strada giusta
Ho viaggiato nel freddo
Faccia a faccia con la mia
Ombra che si gettava
Nel bianco velo del tempo
Istanbul Istanbul
Ho viaggiato nel freddo
Senza volto senza età
Pilotando un
Corpo senza guida a Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul baluardo sacro per
L'incrocio delle razze degli uomini brucierà
L' ho cercato nel freddo
Se ne stava solo là
Il mio volto nel fango di Istanbul
Istanbul Istanbul baluardo sacro per
L'incrocio delle razze degli uomini brucerà
Istanbul, Istanbul
Forze oscure in Istanbul Istanbul, Istanbul
Forze oscure in Istanbul
Istanbul, Istanbul
The lyrics of Litfiba's song Istanbul depicts a journey, both physical and symbolic. The first verse of the song is a prayer to the Lord, asking for guidance and help to find the right path. The following verse talks about the singer's physical journey through Istanbul, where he travels in the cold, facing his own shadow cast onto the white veil of time. The reference to Istanbul in this verse may symbolize the singer's journey towards self-discovery, where he faces and confronts his shadow self.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Istanbul Istanbul baluardo sacro per l'incrocio delle razze degli uomini brucierà," which translates to "Istanbul Istanbul sacred bulwark for the intersection of races of men will burn." This line can be interpreted in various ways, but it could be seen as a warning that Istanbul, a city that has seen the intersection of various cultures and races throughout history, is at risk of destruction.
The second verse continues with the theme of a physical journey but adds a layer of spiritual confusion, where the singer describes himself as flying a body without direction, symbolizing his search for meaning and direction in life. The song ends with the repeated reference to "Forze oscure in Istanbul," or "Dark forces in Istanbul," adding to the ominous tone of the lyrics and suggesting that the city is at risk of falling under negative influences.
Line by Line Meaning
Ringrazio il signore
I thank the Lord, the master of the universe, merciful and compassionate, almighty.
Nel giorno del giudizio
On the day of judgment,
A te Rivolgiamo la nostra preghiera
we turn to you with our prayer,
E a te chiediamo l'aiuto
and ask for your help,
Indicaci la strada giusta
show us the right way,
La strada giusta
the right path.
Ho viaggiato nel freddo
I have traveled in the cold,
Faccia a faccia con la mia
face to face with my
Ombra che si gettava
shadow that was casting
Nel bianco velo del tempo
in the white veil of time.
Istanbul Istanbul
Istanbul Istanbul.
Senza volto senza età
Without face, without age,
Pilotando un
piloting a
Corpo senza guida a Istanbul
body without guidance in Istanbul.
Istanbul baluardo sacro per
Istanbul sacred stronghold for
L'incrocio delle razze degli uomini brucierà
the intersection of races of men will burn.
L' ho cercato nel freddo
I looked for it in the cold,
Se ne stava solo là
it was just there
Il mio volto nel fango di Istanbul
my face in the mud of Istanbul.
Forze oscure in Istanbul Istanbul, Istanbul
Dark forces in Istanbul, Istanbul.
Forze oscure in Istanbul
Dark forces in Istanbul.
Istanbul, Istanbul
Istanbul, Istanbul.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Antonio Aiazzi, Gianni Maroccolo, Pietro Pelu, Federico Renzulli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind