He was the son of an Italian father and a Scottish mother. Born in Rome after the return of the Prodan family from China because of the Japanese invasion, where Luca's father had settled a prosper bussines becoming an expert in ancient chinese pottery. Prodan attended Gordonstoun School, a private boarding school in Scotland, and for some time drifted in Manchester and London. In 1981, after a heroin crisis in the late 70's London, he moved to an old anglo-argentinan (Timmy McKern) friend's farm in the central hills of Cordoba Province Argentina seeking peace to try kicking his heroin addiction.
After some time at the farm in the Traslasierra valley, he settled in Hurlingham (a suburb of Buenos Aires), where he founded and led Sumo and the Hurlingham Reggae Band.
Prodan died either of a heart attack or cirrhosis of the liver in Buenos Aires shortly before Christmas 1987.
After his death, he became one of the most recognized icons of Argentine rock culture. Graffiti stating "Luca Not Dead" have been spotted around the world, especially in South America and Europe.
Two posthumous records of pre-Sumo recordings are available and show us an 'insider's' view of the artist. Recorded mostly in the Traslasierra region of Cordoba, Argentina (his initial dwelling place), they bear testimony to his musical inspiration and inspirators: Peter Hammill, Nick Drake, Lou Reed,Joy Division and Bob Marley.
After Luca Prodan's death, two bands were formed from former Sumo members: Divididos and Las Pelotas. These names were taken from Luca's comments about Sumo's dissolution, when he said "Divididos, las pelotas", which translates as "separated, bollocks!".
Strange Things
Luca Prodan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But their aim is unclear
I know I felt much warmer
But that was last year
That was last year
And I remember "Visions of Johanna"
In the heat of summer Rome
Who turned a mouse into a gnome
Into a gnome
Well, there's a year of thunder
A year of ice
Years of blandness
And years of vice
Then there was that girl from… Watzol?
For a year and a half
With the help of my priapic muscle
We had a damned good laugh (?)
A damned good laugh
Though there's a year of thunder
A year of ice
Years of blandness / ¿blunders?
And years of vice
And now I find it's not the same in here
While im lying on the floor
You knew somebody went insane in here
And now they're knocking on my door
Strange things happen 'round the corner
But their aim is unclear
I know I felt much warmer
But that was last year
That was last year
Cause there's years of thunder
Years of ice
Years of blandness / ¿blunders?
And years of vice
But now I find it's not the same in here
While im lying on the floor
You know, somebody went insane in here
And now they're knocking on my door
Well, im feeling alright
Down here in the south of the world
Im feeling alrite, feelin fine,
Feeling everything goin'in the right, you know
I got some music
Some art
I got somebody
I got somebody that's
Crazy as a muddy (?…)
I got somebody else
Cause there's a year of thunder…
Luca Prodan's song "Strange Things" is a deeply poetic and enigmatic exploration of human experiences and the unpredictable nature of life. The song opens with the idea that unexpected events can happen any time and that their aims can be unclear. Despite this uncertainty, the singer feels a sense of nostalgia for the past, particularly for a time when he felt warmer, which could signify a time of happiness or closeness with someone, but that was last year, indicating that it is now gone, and that he must now deal with the current situation.
The singer then reminisces about past experiences, such as the time he was in Rome during summer and had visions of Johanna, which could be a reference to the Bob Dylan song of the same name, and a girl from Vienna who turned a mouse into a gnome. These surreal experiences contrast with the more realistic description of a woman he was involved with, possibly in Watzol, who he had fun with for a year and a half, but ultimately ended things.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges that life has its ups and downs, its years of thunder and years of ice, years of blandness or blunders and years of vice. However, he notes that things are different now and that someone went insane and is knocking on his door. Despite this, the singer seems to find some solace in his current state, stating that he is feeling alright down here in the south of the world and that he has someone who is just as crazy as he is.
Line by Line Meaning
Strange things happened 'round the corner
Unusual occurrences took place nearby.
But their aim is unclear
However, the purpose of these events is uncertain.
I know I felt much warmer
I distinctly remember feeling more contented in the past.
But that was last year
But these positive feelings are from a bygone time.
And I remember "Visions of Johanna"
I reminisce about a Bob Dylan song.
In the heat of summer Rome
I particularly recall listening to it in hot Rome weather.
And then there was that girl from Viena
In addition, I recall a girl I met from Vienna.
Who turned a mouse into a gnome
She performed a seemingly magical feat.
Well, there's a year of thunder
Different years can bring different challenges or difficulties.
A year of ice
Some years can be cruel and harsh.
Years of blandness
Some years can be monotonous and uneventful.
And years of vice
Some years can be marked by immoral or corrupt behavior.
Then there was that girl from… Watzol?
I also recall another girl, whose name I am unsure of.
For a year and a half
I spent a significant period of time with her.
With the help of my priapic muscle
We enjoyed physical intimacy.
We had a damned good laugh (?
We shared many enjoyable experiences together.
Though there's a year of thunder
Despite encountering difficulties along the way.
A year of ice
A cruel and harsh year.
Years of blandness / ¿blunders?
Interspersed with periods of monotony or even mistakes.
And years of vice
As well as encountering immoral or corrupt behavior.
And now I find it's not the same in here
At present, my circumstances have changed and are no longer as fulfilling.
While im lying on the floor
I am in a vulnerable and low position.
You knew somebody went insane in here
I am aware of someone losing their sanity in this environment.
And now they're knocking on my door
I am being confronted by the implications of this situation.
Cause there's years of thunder
Because over time, people can face significant obstacles.
Years of ice
Including cruel and harsh times.
Years of blandness / ¿blunders?
As well as uneventful or even mistaken periods.
And years of vice
Also encountering immorality or corruption in the world.
Well, I'm feeling alright
Despite everything, at the moment I am doing well.
Down here in the south of the world
Living in the southern hemisphere.
I'm feeling alrite, feelin fine,
I am content and doing well.
Feeling everything goin'in the right, you know
Everything seems to be going in the right direction for me at the moment.
I got some music
I have some music in my possession.
Some art
As well as some artwork.
I got somebody
I have the companionship of someone else.
I got somebody that's
That person is…
Crazy as a muddy (?…)
Rather eccentric and unpredictable.
I got somebody else
In addition, I have someone else in my life.
Contributed by James C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.