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)
From Under
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a poet connecting raindrops
a rock'n'roll star, a gambler's seven
a saint on a train to heaven
if you don't like your number
trying to get out from under
providence comes and offers sweetly
swallow the dream you like
some buy a dream crutch to survive
somebody says, "don't sell me lies" ...
so providence kindhearted lady
sent round all her salesmen
with toy revolutions and more ...
cadillac gurus
old jesus new circus
blind fifties revivals
the wind up pelvis band
keeps on playing
still someone's saying
"don't sell me lies"
so providence called her last friend
heroin the charming ocean
patient enough for every problem
silent enough to drown so many good friends
providence of illusion
providence whore of fat kings
leave them alone!
lady you'll never get them
lady you'll never win
they are miles from your zoo
even sad
even dying of sadness
they are the winners
beautiful winners
they are the land of your fall ...
The lyrics of Premiata Forneria Marconi's song "From Under" are very cryptic, but seem to evoke a sense of detachment and disillusionment with the world around us. The opening lines describe various archetypes, including a lover, a poet, a rockstar, and a saint, all of whom appear to be struggling in their own unique ways. The common thread connecting them seems to be a sense of being trapped or confined, represented by the phrase "trying to get out from under".
The chorus introduces the concept of "providence", which appears to be offering some kind of solution or escape from this sense of confinement. However, there is a note of caution, as the line "somebody says, 'don't sell me lies'" suggests that there may be a sense of skepticism or mistrust regarding this supposed salvation. The subsequent verse introduces a range of surreal images, including "cadillac gurus", "old jesus new circus", and the "wind-up pelvis band", which seem to represent different aspects of American popular culture. However, even these seemingly joyful and colorful images are tinged with a sense of sadness or futility, as the refrain "still someone's saying, 'don't sell me lies'" recurs.
The final verse introduces the character of "heroin the charming ocean", who is described as patient enough to solve any problem and silent enough to drown many good friends. This figure seems to represent addiction or escapism, which offers temporary relief but ultimately leads to destruction. The chorus concludes with a sense of resignation, as the "lady" who represents "providence" is depicted as powerless to save these individuals who are "beautiful winners" even in their despair.
Line by Line Meaning
a lover collecting ladies
A person who has a habit of pursuing romantic relationships with multiple women
a poet connecting raindrops
A writer who finds meaning in the smallest things, and can turn anything into a beautiful metaphor
a rock'n'roll star, a gambler's seven
A famous musician who lives a wild lifestyle and takes risks, like a lucky throw of the dice
a saint on a train to heaven
A holy person who is on the path to an afterlife of paradise
if you don't like your number
If you are dissatisfied with your current situation or circumstances
trying to get out from under
Attempting to escape from something that is weighing you down or holding you back
providence comes and offers sweetly
Good fortune or luck arrives unexpectedly and pleasantly
swallow the dream you like
Embrace the idea or goal that inspires and excites you
some buy a dream crutch to survive
Some people rely on unrealistic expectations or fantasies to cope with hardships
somebody says, "don't sell me lies"
Someone is skeptical of false promises or deceptions
so providence kindhearted lady
Good fortune is personified as a benevolent woman
sent round all her salesmen
Opportunities and blessings come knocking unexpectedly
with toy revolutions and more ...
With exciting and innovative new ideas and possibilities
cadillac gurus
Charismatic and influential people with extravagant and luxurious lifestyles
old jesus new circus
Religious figures and traditions blended with modern-day spectacle
blind fifties revivals
Nostalgic attempts to recreate or relive past eras, without seeing the flaws or problems in them
the wind up pelvis band
A musical group with a focus on sexuality and provocative movement
keeps on playing
Continuing to go forward or persevere, despite obstacles or opposition
still someone's saying
Despite the allure or excitement of certain ideas, there are still people who refuse to be misled or fooled
"don't sell me lies"
I am not interested in being deceived or misled
so providence called her last friend
Good luck has run out or abandoned someone
heroin the charming ocean
Addiction to drugs as a numbing or escape mechanism
patient enough for every problem
Addiction is so insidious and pervasive that it can seem like the only solution to life's difficulties
silent enough to drown so many good friends
Addiction can isolate and damage even the strongest of friendships and relationships
providence of illusion
Good fortune or success that is only a temporary facade
providence whore of fat kings
Good luck as a tool or plaything for the wealthy and powerful
leave them alone!
Stop pursuing or coveting the superficial and shallow pleasures that come with wealth and power
lady you'll never get them
Someone who chases after unattainable or fleeting goals or desires will never truly be satisfied or fulfilled
lady you'll never win
This pursuit is not a competition that can ever be won or lost, but rather a cycle of disappointment and craving
they are miles from your zoo
These unattainable goals or desires are far removed from one's current reality, and may never be achievable
even sad
Despite feeling down or dejected
even dying of sadness
Despite feeling completely overwhelmed and hopeless
they are the winners
The people chasing after shallow and fleeting pleasures may seem to be happier or more successful, at least on the surface
beautiful winners
These people may even be seen as attractive or admirable, despite their shallow nature
they are the land of your fall ...
But ultimately, seeking after these superficial pleasures will lead to one's downfall or failure
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.