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.
India
Paolo Conte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dal dolce ambrato color
guardi l'amor
come un signor
india
che sembra sia
copiato in cartoleria
da una decalcomania
fuori grida l'indiana città
attualità
velocità
india
un sorriso ha
fra i tuoi capelli di dea
una selvaggia azalea
e il mondo colonial
si crede intellettual
come un teatro in silenzio
e il mondo colonial
si crede spiritual
ah india
e raffinata poesia
lascia che sia
la storia tua
seta
del dondolio
delle movenze d'oblio
dell'orientale fruscio
e il mondo colonial
si crede spiritual
india
dolce aromatica dea
tu sei l'idea
di un'azalea
india
In Paolo Conte's song "India", the lyrics describe an exotic and enchanting country that captivates the singer's attention. The song begins by describing India’s sweet amber color and how the country symbolizes love and refinement. The singer compares India's aesthetic to a wealthy gentleman and believes that it could be copied onto stationary as a decal.
The song's chorus then highlights the stark contrast between the traditional and modern aspects of India's bustling cities, with their speed and contemporary flair, and the timeless beauty of the Indian goddess in her wild tresses, like a flowering Azalea. The singer muses about colonial powers’ reactions to India as if it were a silent theatre. The “world colonial” claims false intellectual prowess, and at the same time, colonial explorers imagine themselves to be spiritually informed or enlightened by the country's exoticism.
Throughout the song, Conte provides a unique and enchanting portrayal of India, with its graceful movements and mystical ambiance, as a land that captivates and inspires the singer. Despite foreign ventures treating India as a "silent theatre," the singer allows the country's beauty to shine, be it through the fricative rustle of fabrics or sensual visuals present in the lovely country, making the song a celebration of India's exquisite history and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
india
Paolo Conte addresses India as a personified entity, perhaps as an object of desire, admiration or wonder.
dal dolce ambrato color
India is characterized by its sweet, amber color, which may evoke a sense of exoticism or otherworldliness.
guardi l'amor
India watches over love, perhaps suggesting that the country is a repository of romantic, emotional or spiritual inspiration.
come un signor
India assumes the dignified manner of a gentleman, reinforcing its sense of elegance, sophistication and refinement.
che sembra sia
India seems to resemble something that has been copied onto stationery or transferred using a decal, suggesting that it is a source of artistic or graphic inspiration.
copiato in cartoleria
India appears as if it has been duplicated onto a piece of stationery, adding to its sense of being an object of beauty, wonder or admiration.
da una decalcomania
India resembles something that has been lifted or transferred using a decal, conjuring images of a vintage art form that is both creative and nostalgic.
fuori grida l'indiana città
The Indian city screams outside, suggesting that it is a place of noise, chaos or activity, perhaps even hinting at its vibrancy, danger or allure.
attualità
The city is a place of modernity, innovation or progress, perhaps reflecting its status as a hub of technology, trade or culture.
velocità
The city represents speed, motion or progress, perhaps highlighting the sense of dynamism, change or excitement that it embodies.
un sorriso ha
India has a smile that suggests its warmth, friendliness or charm, perhaps indicating its hospitable, welcoming or attractive nature.
fra i tuoi capelli di dea
India's hair resembles that of a goddess, perhaps suggesting its beauty, grace or otherworldliness.
una selvaggia azalea
India is a wild, untamed azalea, evoking images of nature, freedom or vitality.
e il mondo colonial
The colonial world assumes a position of dominance or superiority over India, reflecting the historical context of this song and the legacy of imperialism.
si crede intellettual
The colonial world believes it is intellectual or sophisticated, perhaps assuming a patronizing or condescending attitude towards India.
come un teatro in silenzio
The colonial world appears like a silent theater, perhaps implying a sense of artificiality, insincerity or pretense.
si crede spiritual
The colonial world views itself as spiritual or enlightened, perhaps suggesting a sense of superiority, detachment or aloofness.
ah india
Paolo Conte exclaims with emotion and affection, reaffirming his fascination with India and his sense of admiration, wonder or delight in its beauty, culture or history.
e raffinata poesia
India is a refined and poetic entity, perhaps implying a sense of mystery, depth or sophistication.
lascia che sia
India is allowed to be itself, to exist and to thrive, perhaps suggesting a sense of respect, acceptance or reverence.
la storia tua
India's history, culture or traditions are acknowledged, perhaps reflecting a sense of appreciation, curiosity or admiration for its past.
seta
India is a place of silk, perhaps referring to its textile industry, or to its sense of luxury, refinement or exoticism.
del dondolio
India is characterized by its gentle swaying or bending, perhaps suggesting a sense of movement, fluidity or grace.
delle movenze d'oblio
India's movements belong to a distant or forgotten age, perhaps evoking a sense of history, nostalgia or longing.
dell'orientale fruscio
India's rustling is that of the East, perhaps suggesting its unique, exotic or distinctive character.
dolce aromatica dea
India is a sweet, fragrant goddess, perhaps reflecting its sense of beauty, allure or grace.
tu sei l'idea
India is an idea, perhaps indicating its symbolic, mythical or abstract nature.
di un'azalea india
India resembles an azalea, a flower that is associated with grace, beauty or subtlety.
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.