PFM introduced new sounds, such as the synthesizer, to the Italian musical world. They were also among the first to combine symphonic classical and traditional Italian musical influences in a rock music context. Such innovations and their longevity have made them among the most important bands in the international Progressive rock genre.
The original core members of PFM (Franco Mussida, Franz Di Cioccio, Flavio Premoli, and Giorgio Piazza) came together in the mid 1960's while playing together as backup musicians for many different Italian pop, rock and folk singers such as Lucio Battisti, Mina, Adriano Celentano and Fabrizio De André. They appeared on many recordings for other artists during this period and quickly established themselves as top players on the Italian rock and pop scene. Mussida, Premoli, Piazza and Di Cioccio then formed the group "I quelli" (English translation "Them", or "Those Guys") in 1968. I quelli released one album and some successful Italian singles.
Premiata Forneria Marconi was officially formed in Milan, Italy in 1970 when the members of I quelli met Mauro Pagani from the group Dalton. Pagani helped the group expand their sound to include violin and flute. By this time they were already highly experienced musicians and easily able to play the kind of complex progressive heavy rock played by the leading English and American groups. Their early live performances included covers by groups such as King Crimson and Jethro Tull. Other early influences included Chicago, Ekseption, and The Flock.
They had a long name, as Italian progressive bands tended to have back then, and so were usually referred to as "La Premiata", and later "PFM". After rejecting Isotta-Fraschini (an Italian car maker) the group finally settled on Pagani's suggestion, "Forneria Marconi" (meaning "Marconi Bakery"), borrowed from the sign of a shop in the small town of Chiari, near Brescia. However, record producer and friend Alessandro Colombini suggested the name was not strong enough, so the title "Premiata" (award-winning) was added. Some objected that "Premiata Forneria Marconi" was too long a name, but the group's philosophy stated that the more difficult to remember a band's name, the more difficult to forget it.
The most recent line-up of PFM follows:
- Franco Mussida: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12 string guitar, mandolin, vocals (1970–present)
- Franz Di Cioccio: drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals (1970–present)
- Patrick Djivas: bass, programming (1974–present)
- Lucio Fabbri: violin, keyboards (1979–1987, 2000–present )
- Gianluca Tagliavini: piano, Hammond, Minimoog, other keyboards (2005–present)
- Piero Monterisi: additional drums (2006–present)
Former members of PFM follows:
- Flavio Premoli: piano, keyboards, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, lead vocals (1970–1980, 1997–2005)
- Giorgio Piazza: bass (1970–1974)
- Mauro Pagani: flute, piccolo, violin, vocals (1970–1976)
- Bernardo Lanzetti: lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1975–1977)
- Gregory Bloch: violin (1976–1977)
- Walter Calloni: additional drums (1982–1987)
- Roberto Gualdi: additional drums (1997–2005)
Chocolate Kings
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to heal our battle wounds
with photographs of big fat mama
the chocolate kings arrived
to feed us full of good intentions
and fatten us with pride
stars and canybars!
shirly temple dipped her dimples
in favorite nurcery rhymes
big mamas love was pure and simple
and gentle dollar signs
sang out lullabies
so sorry
her superman is losing fans
and i am so sorry
so sorry
they've packed her bags
they've stacked her flags
and we are so sorry
her supermarket kingdom is falling
her war machines on sale
no one left to worship the heroes
her tv gods have failed
hope she takes a look in the mirror
while she is on her way home ...
her supermarket kingdom is falling
her war machines on sale
no one left to worship the heroes
her tv gods have failed
so sorry
her superman is losing fans
and i am so sorry
so sorry
they've packed her bags
they've stacked her flags
and we are so sorry
new you and i know big fat mama
she took us for a ride
but musclemen are out of business
the chocolate kings are dying
you don't wanna waste your life for chocolate heaven
you like to stay alive
like to stay alive
The lyrics of Premiata Forneria Marconi's "Chocolate Kings" are a commentary on the downfall of the American consumerist culture during the mid-1970s. The opening stanza of "when I was born they came to free us, to heal our battle wounds" is referring to American intervention in World War II, when the United States was seen as a liberator that helped ease the suffering of those affected by the war. However, the subsequent lines "with photographs of big fat mama the chocolate kings arrived" changes the tone of the song. 'Big fat mama' here likely refers to the United States, which provided goods and resources, such as chocolate, to rebuild European nations after the war. The 'chocolate kings' are likely referencing America's commercialization and consumerism.
The following lyrics describe how the country's culture was filled with artificial, superficial offerings that were served to the public in place of genuine affection or values. The reference to Shirley Temple and nursery rhymes carries nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time that contrasts with the way of life encouraged by consumerism. The lyrics "her tv gods have failed" is a critique of those who promote television or Hollywood as the answers to life's questions. It also suggests that, these heroes, once idolized universally are now losing their luster and, so "her supermarket kingdom is falling, her war machines on sale".
Overall, the lyrics of "Chocolate Kings" describe the decline of American values and its superficial culture that developed after the war, hinting at a sense of disillusionment with the country's leadership and the artificial consumerism that dominated American life.
Line by Line Meaning
when i was born they came to free us
At the time of my birth, people came to free us from an unknown oppression
to heal our battle wounds
They wanted to heal the wounds of our battles
with photographs of big fat mama
These people brought photographs of a woman known as 'Big Fat Mama'
the chocolate kings arrived
The 'Chocolate Kings' arrived to offer us something appealing and satisfying
to feed us full of good intentions
Their intentions were to provide us with satisfying and fulfilling things
and fatten us with pride
But ultimately, they wanted to boost our egos and make us proud of what they offered
stars and canybars!
This could mean that they offered us attractive things such as popular candy bars
shirly temple dipped her dimples
Shirley Temple, a popular child actress, used her charm to make the offer seem more attractive
in favorite nurcery rhymes
She used familiar and comforting nursery rhymes to lure us in even more
big mamas love was pure and simple
The love offered by Big Fat Mama was simple and unadulterated
and gentle dollar signs
But underneath it all, it was all about making money
sang out lullabies
The lullabies were meant to soothe and comfort us, making them more likely to accept the offer
her superman is losing fans
The person in power, possibly a government leader, is losing support from the people
and i am so sorry
The singer expresses sympathy for this person's loss of support
they've packed her bags
The person is leaving or being forced out of their position of power
they've stacked her flags
Their symbols of power and authority have lost their significance
her supermarket kingdom is falling
Her domain, perhaps a capitalist society, is collapsing
her war machines on sale
Even the tools of her power, such as weapons, are being sold off
no one left to worship the heroes
The people have lost faith in their leaders and idols
her tv gods have failed
The media that once upheld these people as 'gods' have failed to keep them in power
hope she takes a look in the mirror
The artist hopes this person will reflect on their actions and the state of the world they created
while she is on her way home ...
Perhaps this person has been removed from power and is returning home after a downfall
new you and i know big fat mama
Now, the singer and the listener understand the true intentions of Big Fat Mama
she took us for a ride
Big Fat Mama deceived us with her attractive offer
but musclemen are out of business
Those who used physical strength and power to control others are becoming irrelevant
the chocolate kings are dying
Similar to the musclemen, those who offer attractive but ultimately destructive things are losing their grip on society
you don't wanna waste your life for chocolate heaven
The singer encourages the listener to not waste their life pursuing empty and unfulfilling pleasures
you like to stay alive
Instead, the artist urges the listener to prioritize staying alive and living a meaningful life
Contributed by Jonathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MassiveObsession
Lato A
From Under – 00:00 (testo: Marva Jan Marrow, Mauro Pagani – musica: Ivan Graziani, Franco Mussida, Flavio Premoli)
Harlequin – 07:35 (testo: Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Chocolate Kings – 15:28 (testo: Marrow, Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Lato B
Out of the Roundabout –20:11 (testo: Bernardo Lanzetti, Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Paper Charms – 28:07 (testo: Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Formazione
Bernardo Lanzetti – voce
Mauro Pagani – flauto, violino, voce
Flavio Premoli – tastiera, voce
Franco Mussida – chitarra, voce
Patrick Djivas – basso
Franz Di Cioccio – batteria, percussioni, voce
Christian Mario Longo
Premiata Forneria Marconi - Chocolate Kings, 1975
A Side
1 - From Under 00:00
2 - Harlequin 07:36
3 - Chocolate Kings 15:28
B Side
4 - Out of the Roundabout 20:11
5 - Paper Charms 28:08
Line-up
Bernardo Lanzetti: vocals
Mauro Pagani: flute, violin
Franco Mussida: guitars
Flavio Premoli: keyboards
Franz di Cioccio: drums, percussions
Patrick Djivas: bass guitar
MassiveObsession
Lato A
From Under – 00:00 (testo: Marva Jan Marrow, Mauro Pagani – musica: Ivan Graziani, Franco Mussida, Flavio Premoli)
Harlequin – 07:35 (testo: Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Chocolate Kings – 15:28 (testo: Marrow, Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Lato B
Out of the Roundabout –20:11 (testo: Bernardo Lanzetti, Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Paper Charms – 28:07 (testo: Pagani – musica: Mussida)
Formazione
Bernardo Lanzetti – voce
Mauro Pagani – flauto, violino, voce
Flavio Premoli – tastiera, voce
Franco Mussida – chitarra, voce
Patrick Djivas – basso
Franz Di Cioccio – batteria, percussioni, voce
Ricky Tomato
🤘HeyNow ! ! ! ✊RightOn ! ! ! ✌❤N' Rock&Roll,,, ReallyDigsMySoul 😎
TheBlackycat
My introduction to PFM and Italian prog 45 plus years ago. Never thought I would ever see them live, but was fortunate to see them twice at NEARfest. Such a great band.
Paolo Finessi
La più alta dimostrazione delle capacità della band. Strumenti che si fondono evocando magie oniriche, spazi, visioni, accompagnati da una voce che domina la scena in modo deciso e tagliente, che affascina. Un album ascoltato per la prima volta nel 76 (un caso) ma che ancora riascolto come fosse la prima. Bellissimo.
Antônio carlos Totola
Esse álbum, Photo of Gosths e L' isola di Niente são obras primas do PFM
cucù
Grande voce con timbro alla Peter Gabriel , siamo a ottimi livelli di qualita' , PFM rappresenta i vertici del rock progressivo italiano ed internazionale.
Exabundantiacordis
Più simile a Roger Chapman dei Family !!!
JHP
Peter Gabriel was influenced by Roger Chapman. I think Bernardo is somewhere in between them two. Love it!
jdmresearch
@Exabundantiacordis Agreed. It's really similar.
Walter Pizzocaro
A obra prima impecável do PFM ! Puta SOM BICHO !!!