The man who goes by the name Neffa was born Giovanni Pellino in 1967 in Sca… Read Full Bio ↴The man who goes by the name Neffa was born Giovanni Pellino in 1967 in Scafati, Italy, a small town near Naples, but he spent much of his youth in the northern cities of Turin and Bologna.

He began his musical career as a drummer in various hardcore bands, one of which was the influential Negazione, using the name "Jeff," but later decided to switch to hip-hop. Pellino, who at this point was performing under the name Neffa, in honor of the Paraguayan Cremonese soccer star, hooked up with DJ Gruff and Deda to form Sangue Misto, a hip-hop group whose debut, 1994's SXM, is often considered the first great Italian rap album.

In 1996 Neffa decided to try out his luck as a solo artist, and recorded the appropriately titled Neffa & I Messaggeri della Dopa in 1996 with a group of Italian and American artists collectively called I Messaggeri della Dopa. The musician stuck with stalwarts Gruff and Deda for his next record, 1998's 107 Elementi, followed the next year with the five-song EP Chicopisco.

It was after this that Neffa decided to explore his other musical interests, namely soul, funk, and R&B, all of which are heard in his 2001 album, Arrivi e Partenze. Although he received a lot of criticism from the Italian rap community, the album did well commercially, and gained Neffa attention from a more mainstream audience. He followed up the success of Arrivi e Partenze two years later with I Molteplici Mondi di Giovanni, Il Cantante Neffa, and in 2006 his third album as a singer, Il Mondo Nuovo, was released in Italy.

The Hill
Neffa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I’ve been playing with devil
and he made me cry
all alone in the distance
in the darkest night

I’ve been calling for an angel
and he made me fly

spred my wings took the highway
to the wide blue sky

There’s a hill on an island
and a story to tell
a tale of witches and pirates
and a magic spell

By the light of a candle
I can see the two seas
and I feel I belong here
finally released

I’ve been playing with devil

I’ve been calling for an angel
There’s a hill on an island

Overall Meaning

The aforementioned lyrics belong to an Italian song called “The Hill” by Neffa. The song is a perfect amalgamation of Neffa’s signature rap style and soulful songwriting skills. The song talks about the journey from darkness to light, from despair to hope and from pain to joy. In the opening stanza, Neffa talks about playing with the devil and the consequences it had on him. He felt alone, lost in the dark, and cried. The lines suggest that he was going through a tough time, and as a result, he indulged in things he shouldn't have.

In the next stanza, he talks about calling for an angel, someone who could help him find his way out of the darkness. He flew high, spreading his wings, taking the highway to the wide blue sky. The use of the metaphorical language in this part implies that he was searching for something or someone to hold onto to help him navigate through life's turbulent waters.

The titular "hill" in the song symbolizes a place of refuge and freedom. Neffa mentions a story of witches and pirates, suggesting a mystical quality about the place. He talks about feeling that he belongs there and that he is finally released. The line "by the light of a candle, I can see the two seas" implies that he found something spiritual or enlightening on that hill. Overall, “The Hill” talks about one's journey from the darkness to light and the integral part of faith in that process.

Line by Line Meaning

I’ve been playing with devil
I have been engaging in destructive behavior.

and he made me cry
Which ultimately resulted in me experiencing deep emotional pain.

all alone in the distance
I was emotionally distant and withdrawn from others during this time.

in the darkest night
And my life felt bleak and devoid of hope.

I’ve been calling for an angel
I sought help and guidance from someone I viewed as being virtuous.

and he made me fly
They ultimately helped me gain a new perspective and rise above my troubles.

spred my wings took the highway
Their help gave me the courage to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

to the wide blue sky
Where I can find freedom and happiness.

There’s a hill on an island
There is a place that holds great significance to me.

and a story to tell
This place has a rich history and tradition that is worth sharing.

a tale of witches and pirates
The story involves mysteries and legends of dark magic, and brave sea warriors.

and a magic spell
A supernatural force is believed to protect and guide those who visit the place and seek its hidden secrets.

By the light of a candle
In the soft glow of a flame, I can see my way forward.

I can see the two seas
I have a distinct view of life's dualities and opportunities.

and I feel I belong here
I feel a deep sense of connection to this special place.

finally released
I am finally free from my past, and I am ready to move on to a brighter future.

Writer(s): Giovanni Pellino, Paolo Emilio Albano Copyright: 21 Esaurimento Nervoso S.r.l., Pisco Music S.r.l., Emi Music Publishing Italia S.r.l.

Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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