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.

La casa cinese
Paolo Conte Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stai cercando una strada
tutto quello che vuoi
ecco un'anima nuda
di che non lo sai
e invece ho chiesto che cosa
stai cercando laggiù
c'è la casa cinese
dipinta di blu

Questo buio non aiuta
ci perdina semmai
la domanda è svanita
nel vuoto del poi
la memoria incantata
ecco quello che vuoi
nella casa cinese
ti divertirai

Son pensieri scaduti
li hai cambiati non so
traversando la vita
degli altri però
mi domandi una strada
tutto quello che vuoi

ma la casa cinese
non la troverai

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paolo Conte's song "La casa cinese" are poetic and open to interpretation. At the beginning of the song, the singer is searching for a way, a path in life, and comes across a naked soul that they do not know. They ask what they are searching for and the response is "the Chinese house painted in blue". This is a metaphor for a place of happiness and contentment, a place that the singer is searching for but cannot seem to find.

As the song progresses, the darkness around them seems to hinder their search and they are left with unanswered questions. However, the delicately crafted imagery of the "memoria incantata" or enchanted memory offers a glimmer of hope. The Chinese house still exists as a source of joy and happiness, but perhaps it is unattainable.

The final verse reveals the desperation of the singer's search. They have exchanged their original thoughts for those of others and are still seeking a path. They ask for directions and guidance, but the Chinese house cannot be found. The song is ultimately a commentary on the human condition, the endless search for happiness and the elusive nature of contentment.

Line by Line Meaning

Stai cercando una strada
You are searching for a path

tutto quello che vuoi
Everything that you desire

ecco un'anima nuda
Here is a bare soul

di che non lo sai
Of which you do not know

e invece ho chiesto che cosa
And yet I asked what you seek

stai cercando laggiù
You are seeking it over there

c'è la casa cinese
There is the Chinese house

dipinta di blu
Painted in blue

Questo buio non aiuta
This darkness does not help

ci perdina semmai
Perhaps it blinds us

la domanda è svanita
The question has vanished