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)
The World Became the World
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the world
The gentle rain was falling.
No breath of wind, no cry of beast or bird
Too quiet, too still, I turned ...
To see the raindrops like a thousand
Poet's words
Splash their circles on the stones,
Ans seem to wash over everything with love
And for a moment the courtyard heard.
Until the sun came bursting through the clouds
Hung up his rainbows in the sky
And with a laugh of flames said, "Now go
Chase the gold"
And the world became the world ...
Now we're all travellers some seekers
And some sought
Who leave the courtyard to be caught
In nets of self, damned certainty and choice;
But do you believe our voice?
You ... you've got what must belong to me,
I need! I'll bleed for more possesions.
You ... you've got no right to disagree
Bow! Kneel! Or fear my aggresions.
Thank God if sometines your oyster
Holds a pearl
When the world remains the world ...
The song "The World Became the World" by Premiata Forneria Marconi begins with a picturesque scene of rain falling in the courtyard. The singer marvels at how the raindrops seem to splash poetically on the stones and bring love to everything. However, this peaceful moment is short-lived as the sun breaks through the clouds, and the world changes. The sun hangs up its rainbows and challenges everyone to chase after the gold. The song then turns to a commentary on the struggles of life, where everyone is a traveler, seeking something, but often caught in the trappings of self-certainty and choice. The song offers a bit of hope, suggesting that sometimes, unexpectedly, one can find a pearl in life's "oyster."
The song presents a range of themes that are open to interpretation. Some see it as a metaphor for the transience of life, with the rain representing the fleeting nature of existence, while others see it as a commentary on the human condition, where people are caught up in the illusions of their own making. The idea that there is room for serendipity in life is also a central idea in this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside my window in the courtyard
Observing the surroundings through a window in the courtyard
Of the world
In the context of the entire world
The gentle rain was falling.
It was raining softly
No breath of wind, no cry of beast or bird
There was complete silence, devoid of any sounds
Too quiet, too still, I turned ...
It was too silent, so I turned my attention elsewhere
To see the raindrops like a thousand
To witness raindrops that seemed like
Poet's words
Words that could have been written by a poet
Splash their circles on the stones,
When the raindrops made circular ripples on the stones
And seem to wash over everything with love
It appeared as if the rain was cleansing everything with love
And for a moment the courtyard heard.
For a brief moment, it appeared as if the courtyard was listening
Until the sun came bursting through the clouds
Until the sun emerged from behind the clouds in a vibrant manner
Hung up his rainbows in the sky
The sun created a rainbow in the sky
And with a laugh of flames said, "Now go
The sun laughed in a fiery manner and said
Chase the gold"
To pursue the riches of this world
And the world became the world ...
This is how the world remains
Now we're all travellers some seekers
We are all wanderers, some searching for something
And some sought
While others are still being searched for
Who leave the courtyard to be caught
Those who exit the courtyard to be ensnared
In nets of self, damned certainty and choice;
Trapped by their own beliefs and decisions
But do you believe our voice?
Do you really believe us?
You ... you've got what must belong to me,
You possess something that I desperately desire
I need! I'll bleed for more possessions.
I am willing to even shed blood for acquiring more material goods
You ... you've got no right to disagree
You are not allowed to disagree with me
Bow! Kneel! Or fear my aggressions.
Bow down, or be prepared to face the consequences of my anger
Thank God if sometimes your oyster
One should be grateful if at times their opportunities
Holds a pearl
Lead to something valuable and precious
When the world remains the world ...
Despite everything, the world continues to be as it is
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timhi9379
It seems to me that time stops when this masterpiece is played.
@kenrik2105
Growing up in the 1970s, PFM was one of my favorite bands, behind Yes, ELP, Genesis and Vangelis. About equal to Camel and Supertramp. Those were indeed the days of prog rock.
@mariodaniel7115
Could you please mention an album from Supertramp with similar genre to this one from PFM?
@cmcynic_
So it seems that this was referenced in Jojolion
@cagedcreature439
The world became ZA WARLDO!!
@rjgrimes9402
Yeah it is
@magicorubik
yep
@user_veegoevers
There was album cover in jojolion
@kury3339
Y E S
@officialpennsyjoe
So, this is why Dio's stand was so strong to begin with...