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)
Jet Lag
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in a jet lag
Feelin' rhythm in my body of another time
Sundown lasted through the night
This supernatural flight
Got flash preview of deja vu
I'm way too early
Catch up to my suitcase
I'm on the blink, I'm out of synch
Is it tomorrow?
Can I regain, replace the same
Time that I borrowed?
Travelin', ridin' the time machine
Wanderin', sailing through no man's land
Fool the sun
Jump the gun
I've flown the map, the culture gap
Non-stop arrival
My words are strange, can't make the change
Language in limbo
Don't know your rules, your keys and tools
Or even your neighbours
Can I regain, replace the same
Habits I borrow?
Travelin', ridin' the time machine
Wonderin', who I'll be
When I've been here awhile
Will I join the dance
Will I make up the miles...
I gotta get my senses aligned
I'm in a jet lag
Feelin' rhythm in my body of another time
This supernatural flight
Seekin' tides
Swallow the borderlines
Easy glide
History intertwines
I can read the signs
Growin' wide
Takin' and lettin' go
Gentle glide
Over a slow rainbow
I can read the signs
Thoughts in spirals circle down my mind...
The lyrics of "Jet Lag" by Premiata Forneria Marconi vividly describe the confusion and disorientation that come with traveling across different time zones. The singer is struggling to adjust to the new time zone, feeling off-balance and out of sync. They are experiencing a sense of deja vu, a feeling of having been here before, yet everything feels new and different. They are unsure of their surroundings, the people, the culture, and even the language.
The singer takes a nostalgic and introspective tone, reflecting on the habits and routines they left behind and questioning whether they will be able to readjust when they return home. The song is a metaphor for the process of adapting to major changes in life, such as moving to a new place, starting a new job, or ending a relationship. The supernatural flight described in the song becomes a symbol of a deeper journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta get my senses aligned
The artist is disoriented and needs to regain balance after travelling.
I'm in a jet lag
The artist is experiencing the symptoms of jet lag after a long flight.
Feelin' rhythm in my body of another time
The artist's body clock is off and it feels like they are in a different time zone.
Sundown lasted through the night
The artist is in a new location where the sun sets and rises at different times compared to their usual time zone.
This supernatural flight
The artist is experiencing a surreal and otherworldly feeling during their travels.
Got flash preview of deja vu
The artist is experiencing a feeling of having seen or experienced something before.
I'm way too early
The artist arrived at their destination earlier than expected.
My body's strange can't make the change
The artist's body is struggling to adjust to the new time zone.
Catch up to my suitcase
The artist needs to retrieve their luggage after their flight.
I'm on the blink, I'm out of synch
The artist is disoriented and feels out of sync with their surroundings.
Is it tomorrow?
The artist is in a new time zone and is not sure what day it is.
Can I regain, replace the same time that I borrowed?
The artist is asking if they will be able to regain the time lost due to travelling.
Travelin', ridin' the time machine
The artist is travelling and experiencing a shift in time zones.
Wanderin', sailing through no man's land
The artist is travelling through unfamiliar territory.
Fool the sun, jump the gun
The artist is trying to outsmart time and the effects of jet lag.
I've flown the map, the culture gap
The artist has travelled far and experienced different cultures.
Non-stop arrival
The artist has arrived at their destination without stopping.
My words are strange, can't make the change
The artist is struggling to communicate due to language barriers.
Language in limbo
The artist's language skills are not fully functional in the new location.
Don't know your rules, your keys and tools, or even your neighbors
The artist is in unfamiliar territory and is not familiar with the customs, people, and practices of the new location.
Can I regain, replace the same habits I borrow?
The artist is questioning if they will be able to adapt to the new customs and practices they encounter while travelling.
Wonderin', who I'll be when I've been here awhile
The artist is curious about how they will change and adapt after spending time in the new location.
Will I join the dance, will I make up the miles
The artist is unsure if they will be able to become fully immersed in the culture and customs of the new location.
Seekin' tides, swallow the borderlines
The artist is searching for a connection between different locations, cultures, and people.
Easy glide, history intertwines
The artist is experiencing a smooth transition from one location to another, while encountering the historical and cultural connections between them.
I can read the signs
The artist is able to understand and interpret the cultural and historical signs they encounter while travelling.
Growin' wide, takin' and lettin' go
The artist is expanding their horizons and experiencing personal growth while letting go of old ways.
Gentle glide, over a slow rainbow
The artist is travelling smoothly and enjoying the journey while experiencing different and new things.
I can read the signs, thoughts in spirals circle down my mind...
The artist's thoughts and observations are swirling around their mind as they experience and process new things while travelling.
Contributed by Liliana L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.