During his long career, Rota was an extraordinarily prolific composer, especially of music for the cinema. He wrote more than 150 scores for Italian and international productions from the 1930s until his death in 1979—an average of three scores each year over a 46-year period, and in his most productive period from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s he wrote as many as ten scores every year, and sometimes more, with a remarkable thirteen film scores to his credit in 1954. Alongside this great body of film work, he composed ten operas, five ballets and dozens of other orchestral, choral and chamber works, the best known being his string concerto. He also composed the music for many theatre productions by Visconti, Zeffirelli and Eduardo De Filippo as well as maintaining a long teaching career at the Liceo Musicale in Bari, Italy, where he was the director for almost 30 years.
Rota was born Giovanni Rota Rinaldi on 3 December 1911, into a musical family in Milan. Rota was a renowned child prodigy—his first oratorio, L'infanzia di San Giovanni Battista, was written at age 11 and performed in Milan and Paris as early as 1923; his three-act lyrical comedy after Hans Christian Andersen, Il Principe Porcaro, was composed when he was just 13 and published in 1926. He studied at the Milan conservatory there under Giacomo Orefice and then undertook serious study of composition under Ildebrando Pizzetti and Alfredo Casella at the Santa Cecilia Academy in Rome, graduating in 1930.
Encouraged by Arturo Toscanini, Rota moved to the United States where he lived from 1930 to 1932. He won a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Philadelphia, where he was taught conducting by Fritz Reiner and had Rosario Scalero as an instructor in composition. Returning to Milan, he wrote a thesis on the Renaissance composer Gioseffo Zarlino. Rota earned a degree in literature from the University of Milan, graduating in 1937, and began a teaching career that led to the directorship of the Liceo Musicale in Bari, a title he held from 1950 until 1978.
Rota had one daughter, Nina Rota, from a relationship with pianist Magda Longari. He died, age 67, from a coronary thrombosis in Rome.
The Godfather: Speak Softly Love
Nino Rota Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
We're in a world, our very own
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love so softly love
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love so softly love
“Speak Softly, Love” beautifully encapsulates the depth and intimacy of a romantic relationship through its poignant lyrics. The opening lines set a tender tone, inviting the beloved to engage in a gentle and affectionate manner. The phrase "speak softly" suggests a need for intimacy and privacy, indicating that their love is something precious meant to be shared only between them. The imagery of being held against a warm heart evokes feelings of safety and comfort, emphasizing the physical and emotional connection they share. As the singer feels the “tender trembling moments” start to unfold, it highlights the anticipation and excitement inherent in love, suggesting that each shared gaze and whisper can spark profound emotional experiences. This world they've created together is depicted as exclusive, suggesting that their bond transcends the mundane aspects of life. The mention of “few have ever known” reinforces the rarity and sanctity of their love, suggesting that such deep connections are not easily found or replicated.
The lyrics further develop this romantic tableau by introducing vivid imagery in the second stanza, with “wine-colored days” evoking warmth and richness. The color wine symbolizes passion and indulgence, which paints their days in hues of joy and vitality. By associating their love with sunshine, a natural element, it suggests that their relationship is a source of light and happiness in their lives. The “deep velvet nights” contrast the brightness of the days, emphasizing intimacy and romance that thrives in darkness. The idea that they are “one” during these moments reaffirms the idea of unity, indicating that their souls intertwine in a way that is profound and spiritually fulfilling. This strong cohesion between day and night symbolizes the balance of their relationship; where daytime signifies joy, life, and vibrancy, the night embodies tranquility, depth, and the essence of intimate connection.
The refrain, “Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky,” suggests an overwhelming desire to keep their love private and cherished. It reinforces the notion that their relationship is sacred and best experienced in silence, away from the prying eyes of the world. The elements of the sky—vast, open, and limitless—indicate that while their love is deeply personal, it also exists within a larger space of creation and cosmic acceptance. The vows made are intimate commitments, promising lifelong love, which adds gravity to their connection. There's an air of vulnerability in these pledges; expressing that their existence—and perhaps their purpose—becomes intertwined because of this love. The allure of secrets shared with the sky elevates their relationship, suggesting that true love is a celestial affair, eternal and unbreakable.
Ultimately, the lyrics culminate in a celebration of love’s transformative power. “My life is yours and all because / You came into my world with love so softly love” conveys a deep appreciation for the impact that this partner has had on the singer’s existence. It highlights how love can redefine a person’s sense of self and belonging, making once disparate lives seamlessly interconnected. The phrase “softly love” does not just denote tenderness but also embodies a kind of gentle power that can profoundly alter life’s trajectory. The song becomes a testament not only to the beauty of romantic love but also to its ability to ground and transform those who experience it. In essence, the lyrics of “Speak Softly, Love” paint a lush auditory portrait of love that is both intimate and vast, evoking a realm where two souls can flourish together in the warmth of their shared existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Speak softly, love and hold me warm against your heart
Whisper tenderly, my beloved, and embrace me closely, enveloping me in your affection.
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
I sense the power of your speech as delicate, quivering instants of intimacy begin to unfold.
We're in a world, our very own
We exist in a realm uniquely crafted for us, isolated from the outside.
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
Experiencing a profound connection that is rare and treasured by only a handful of souls.
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Days tinted with rich hues of passion, basking in the warmth of sunlight and happiness.
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Luxurious, dark evenings filled with intimacy, where our souls intertwine as a singular entity.
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
Whisper sweetly, my darling, so that only the heavens above can witness our private declarations.
The vows of love we make will live until we die
The promises we exchange will endure throughout our lives, remaining unbroken even in death.
My life is yours and all because
My existence belongs to you entirely, and this is the reason for my devotion.
You came into my world with love so softly love
You entered my life gently, bringing with you a profound love that transformed my reality.
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Days imbued with deep emotional tones, cherished and illuminated by the sun's embrace.
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Sumptuous, dark nights characterized by our unity, where our spirits are profoundly connected.
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
Speak gently, my love, so that only the vast sky above bears witness to our intimate exchanges.
The vows of love we make will live until we die
The pledges we voice in love will withstand the test of time, persisting until our final breath.
My life is yours and all because
My existence is wholly yours, a reflection of the affection and devotion you inspire in me.
You came into my world with love so softly love
You entered my life with such gentle affection, bringing a quiet yet powerful love that reshaped my being.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lawrence Kusik, Nino Rota
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VassilyR
youtube has made to me a recommendation that i can't refuse
@safaljsingh
Will people stop copying this comment 😂😂😂
@safaljsingh
We need to find who wrote the original one
@bovaskanal5499
@@safaljsingh He will be sleeping with dislikes
@davegreene8588
@@bovaskanal5499
Better than fishes.
@rickyratcomics
Comments section made an offer I cant refuse
@designer_ghass2623
A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man
-- Don corleone -- parte1
@jeffersondelossantos6222
What if he's working for his family and he suffering of pain because he is far
@davegreene8588
@@jeffersondelossantos6222
Don Vito didn't think of that.
@Ferruccio_Guicciardi
"Women and children can be careless but not men." - Vito Corleone.