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)
Paper Charms
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we got cold
you uncorked your wine
how far we drove drunk
on a car of paper charms
Light drawing sun cartoons
Sunday fairs and red ballons
How far we seemed to fly
calling life a sugar spoon
pain was a bird to fight
sending feathered sticky kites
through the night
Spring saw us leaving
thinking to slide down a moony river
but reaching just a cardboard sea
the promised wonderland
Cross the drums
battle sounds
soon we lost
our paper wings
Knew the thirst
knew the pain
learned to walk
To the man
trying to stand
we composed
our best songs
Iron shoes
tramped on us
mad fanfare
of dirty tunes
Then we knew
taste of dust
learned to fight
To the man
shaking fists
we composed
our last songs
New every morning
our poems will turn with care
just like the sunflowers
cause we know the taste of time
how, how far we drove swan
from our fading paper town
far from your sticky moons
shiny kites and red ballons
your nowhere wonderland...
The song "Paper Charms" by Premiata Forneria Marconi is a nostalgic reflection on youthful innocence and idealism. The lyrics tell a story of two friends, likely lovers, who used to embark on wild and carefree adventures together. They would drink wine, drive around in a "car of paper charms", and enjoy simple pleasures like drawing sun cartoons and watching Sunday fairs with red balloons. Life seemed like a sugar spoon, with pain nothing more than a bird to fight and sticky, feathered kites soaring through the night.
However, as they grew older and faced the harsh realities of the world, their once-idyllic existence began to crumble. They left their hometown in the spring, hoping to find a moonlit river only to be disappointed by a cardboard sea in a promised wonderland. They lost their paper wings and had to learn to walk; they endured "iron shoes" and "dirty tunes", but they never lost their passion for music. They composed their best and last songs, knowing that their poems would turn with care like sunflowers because they knew the taste of time.
Ultimately, the song is a poignant reminder that life can be fleeting and that we should cherish the moments of joy and innocence because they are finite. It speaks to the universal experience of growing up, losing our innocence, and learning to fight the battles that come with maturity.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times, swan
Addressing the swan as a symbol of grace, the singer reflects on the numerous times they have been through together
we got cold
There were times when they faced adversities, and that led to their hearts getting colder
you uncorked your wine
The swan used to take the lead and help them loosen up, urging them to open up to possibilities
how far we drove drunk
They went on joyrides while being under the influence of the swan's influence
on a car of paper charms
Together, they were driving a vehicle that, although flimsy, had the potential to bring them immense pleasure and joy
Light drawing sun cartoons
They had fun playing with light and shadows, creating drawings of the sun with their fingers and hand gestures
Sunday fairs and red ballons
They fondly remember Sundays spent having fun at fairs with balloons coloured red
How far we seemed to fly
They reminisce about the sense of freedom they felt while flying and soaring high
calling life a sugar spoon
They declared life to be sweet, and they intended to relish every last bit of it
pain was a bird to fight
While problems did not escape them, they saw themselves as warriors, ready to fight back with determination
sending feathered sticky kites
Despite facing difficulties, they sent kites made of feathers that flew high with the wind's aid, sticking to the sky with positivity and resilience
through the night
Their determination was so intense that they worked tirelessly through the night, never giving up
Spring saw us leaving
During spring, as the weather got warmer, they felt the urge to move away and explore more of life's adventures
thinking to slide down a moony river
As they set out to discover new experiences, they hoped to slide down a beautiful river illuminated by the moon's radiance
but reaching just a cardboard sea
Instead of discovering paradise, they found a sea made of flimsy material, akin to cardboard, that challenged their beliefs
the promised wonderland
Their expectations of finding a wonderland were dashed, and they felt let down by their newfound surroundings
Cross the drums
The singer describes their journey through life as they navigated its complex rhythms
battle sounds
Life seemed like an endless battle, with the sounds of conflict ringing in their ears
soon we lost
Despite their best efforts, they lost their way and found themselves stumped
our paper wings
Their trusty wings made of paper no longer served their purpose, and they were forced to ground themselves
Knew the thirst
Reality hit them hard as they recognised the overwhelming thirst for success and meaning they shared
knew the pain
With success came pain, and they came to understand both sides of the coin
learned to walk
They took their first steps into their newfound reality, accepting it and becoming resilient warriors
To the man
They address the people in their audience and convey their message of resilience
trying to stand
The people they address want to stand up and fight, and the singers join hands with them
we composed
As artists and singers, they have a message that encourages people and lifts spirits
our best songs
The best way they know to express their message is through their songs
Iron shoes
They face significant obstacles, symbolised by the image of people wearing shoes made of iron
tramped on us
They describe the situation as the people, metaphorically, walking all over them and taking advantage of their vulnerability
mad fanfare
The people who are against them are almost in a state of insanity, cheering themselves on violently, and creating chaos
of dirty tunes
The noise they make is gritty and unpleasant, and they refuse to listen to the beautiful melodies the positive singers create
Then we knew
The singers learned a valuable lesson from this experience
taste of dust
The realisation of their vulnerabilities left them with a bitter taste in their mouth
learned to fight
Despite the negativity they faced, they learned to fight back and stand up for what they believed in
shaking fists
They address the people trying to harm them, who shake their fists in anger, and express their resolve to continue fighting back
our last songs
The singers express their determination to keep fighting through their music and create lasting memories for the world, even if their time is running out
New every morning
Despite the difficulties faced, they eagerly embrace each new day as a chance to keep fighting to spread their positivity
our poems will turn with care
They treat their creative work with respect and care, knowing it is their responsibility to spread positive messages
just like the sunflowers
As the sun powers the growth of sunflowers, they are powered by their creative energy and positivity
cause we know the taste of time
They have come to understand how valuable time can be, using every moment to spread their word
how, how far we drove swan
They reflect on their shared journeys and reminisce about how far they have come in life
from our fading paper town
The place they came from is merely a memory now, and they have moved beyond its limitations
far from your sticky moons
The sweet memories that used to comfort them have faded away, with even the shine of the moon losing its luster
shiny kites and red ballons
The red balloons and glowing kites that they once celebrated feel like distant and faded memories now
your nowhere wonderland...
Finally, they lament the loss of their exciting and wonder-filled reality, which now feels like it belongs to another world- a nowhere wonderland.
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.