Paolo Conte (born 6 January 1937 in Asti, Piedmont, Italy) is a craggy-voic… Read Full Bio ↴Paolo Conte (born 6 January 1937 in Asti, Piedmont, Italy) is a craggy-voiced italian singer, pianist and composer. He both writes and performs his own material and his grainy, resonant voice redolent of Francophone singers like Jacques Brel adds a certain charm to his wistful, sometimes melancholic lyrics.

His performing career began as a vibraphone player in local and touring bands. He began songwriting with his brother Giorgio Conte early on and eventually began writing songs of his own. As a poet, painter and lawyer as well as a musician, he first earned attention during the late '60s and early '70s as the creative force behind hits from Adriano Celentano and Patty Pravo. Conte began his solo career with a 1974 self-titled LP, with subsequent efforts like 1987's Aguaplano and 1990's Parole D'Amore Scritte a Macchina enjoying considerable success throughout Europe. 1998's Paolo Conte, a greatest-hits collection, was his first U.S. release. His compilation album is titled The Best of Paolo Conte.

Some of his hits were used in many movies, for example "Come di" (1999), "Via con me" in French Kiss (1995), Welcome to Collinwood (2002) , "Sparring Partner" in 5x2 (2004), "Chiamami Adesso" in The Lake House (2006), and the "Fritz" Coca Cola commercial that was widely shown in US movie theaters in early 2006. French humourist Pierre Desproges used both in his Chroniques de la haine ordinaire. The lyrics of "Insieme a te non ci sto più" was performed by Caterina Caselli in the Italian 2001 hit-at-Cannes La Stanza del Figlio.

Paolo Conte was a lawyer for years and has only retired recently.

Happy Feet
Paolo Conte Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cosa leggerai? Con che libro affascini il tuo cuore?
E se ti perderai nel labirinto di un amaro autore?

Ma i tuoi piedi: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap Ma i tuoi piedi: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap
Happy feet… Ta-dah-tah Happy feet… Ta-dah-tah
Happy feet… Oh, Oh I Love it…

Telefonerai? Probabilmente a me, tuo schiavo d’amore…

Ti divertirai? Che traguardi vuoi farmi trovare?

A che mostra andrai? Un picasso in fiamme ti può andare?
Ne discuterai…con qualcuno che ne sa parlare?…

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Paolo Conte's song Happy Feet are a playful inquiry into the interests and passions of the person being addressed in the song. The singer asks about what books the person is reading, wondering if they have become lost in the maze of a difficult author. Yet, despite these intellectual pursuits, the singer remarks on the person's "happy feet", tapping energetically to an upbeat rhythm. The word "tap" punctuates the song like a refrain, emphasizing the physicality and joy that the feet bring.

Asking if they will call, the singer suggests that the person will likely call them, as if under some kind of spell. They then ask what exciting goals the person has in mind for them. Musing on different art exhibits, the singer wonders if the person would rather see a Picasso on fire or have a discussion with someone who knows how to talk about art.

Overall, the song seems to be a celebration of both intellectual exploration and physical movement, recognizing that both are essential components of a happy and fulfilling life.

Line by Line Meaning

Cosa leggerai? Con che libro affascini il tuo cuore?
What will you read? Which book captivates your heart?

E se ti perderai nel labirinto di un amaro autore?
And if you get lost in the labyrinth of a bitter author?

Ma i tuoi piedi: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap Ma i tuoi piedi: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap
But your feet: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap But your feet: Tap-tap-ta-ta-tap

Happy feet… Ta-dah-tah Happy feet… Ta-dah-tah
Happy feet... Ta-dah-tah Happy feet... Ta-dah-tah

Happy feet… Oh, Oh I Love it…
Happy feet... Oh, Oh I love it...

Telefonerai? Probabilmente a me, tuo schiavo d’amore…
Will you call? probably to me, your love slave...

Ti divertirai? Che traguardi vuoi farmi trovare?
Will you have fun? What achievements do you want me to find?

A che mostra andrai? Un picasso in fiamme ti può andare?
Which exhibition will you go? A burning Picasso may suit you?

Ne discuterai…con qualcuno che ne sa parlare?…
Will you talk about it...with someone who knows how to talk about it?

Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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