Renato Fiacchini was born in Rome in the Via di Ripetta, next to the Via del Corso.
He quit his studies early to devote himself to his true passion, playing music and singing - though initially with little success. He replied to the criticisms (including the recurring insult Sei uno zero! - "You're a zero!") by assuming the alter-ego of Renato Zero. After several different jobs, including an appearance in an advertisement for ice-cream, he recorded his first singles in 1965: "Tu, sì", "Il deserto", "La solitudine", which were never issued. His first published single, "Non basta sai/In mezzo ai guai" (1967), sold a total of 20 copies.
In the late 1960s Zero's career was favoured by the glam-rock fashion, which he had somehow presaged with his sexual ambiguity and androgynous appearance. At the same time, this led him to be accused of cloning characters like David Bowie. In 1973 he issued his first LP, No! Mamma, no! (live), but with little success. The follow-up Invenzioni met the same fate.
Birth of the "Zerophilia"
It was not until 1976 that he scored his first hit with the single "Madame". "Madame" and the album including it, Trapezio, established a regular and loyal audience for Zero. This was to increase exponentially in the following years, until he could boast a huge following of die-hard fans that he dubbed "Sorcini" ("Little Mice").
The late 1970s were indeed years of great success for Zero's character, with the LPs Zerofobia ("Zerophobia", 1977), Zerolandia (1978) and Erozero (1979) topping the Italian charts. At this time Renato Zero was amongst the two or three most popular singers in Italy and his song "Il Carrozzone" was already regarded, also by critics, as one of the best Italian songs ever.
In 1979 Zero played himself in the movie "Ciao Nì" (his usual greeting to his fans, which can be roughly translated as "Hi pal!"). In Italy this film was to be more successful than the blockbuster "Superman".
The 1980s
In the 1980s he began to abandon make-up and greasepaint, but this did not rid Zero of his mania for grandeur: in the 1980 tour, for example, he entered the scene riding a white horse. In 1982 he began a collaboration with the opera director Renato Serio, who was to write the string arrangements for almost all of Zero's following LPs. In late 1983 he took part in RAI's Fantastico 3, then the most popular Italian TV show.
His career continued to be successful until 1984, with top-charts songs like "Amico" ("Friend") and "Spiagge" ("Beaches"). That year, however, his album Leoni si nasce and the tour of the same name, in which he appeared disguised as a lion and escorted by four aborigines, were commercial failures. The album Zero of 1987 marked the low point of his career: instead of playing in arenas and stadiums, Zero had to sing almost for free in the piazzas and discos of Italy's minor cities.
1990s and 2000s: the Comeback
In 1991 Renato Zero participated to the Sanremo Music Festival with "Spalle al muro", and from that moment on his career began to rise again. In 1993 he was nr.1 in the Italian charts with the LP Quando non sei più nessuno. The following year Imperfetto repeated this success. During his tour concerts would regularly sell out, and he returned to his famous dress changes during the spectacles, although in a less kitsch and more balanced style.
In 2004 his tour "Cattura il sogno/Il sogno continua" (Catch the dream/The dream continues) was awarded from Pollstar magazine as the most successful of the year in Italy and as well as one of the most successful worldwide (#30). The recording af the Roman concerts, held at Olimpico Stadium in June, was the best selled musical DVD of 2004. In 2005 he took part to the Italian stage of Live 8, in the Circo Massimo. In November his new album Il dono ("The Gift") topped the charts and maintained #1 until the end of the year. In December 2005 he performed in the Vatican with a song dedicated to Pope John Paul II. Renato Zero's most recent tour started in February 2006 and is entitled Zero movimento. During some concerts held at the time of the campaign for the April 2006 elections he declared himself against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Ecco noi
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stagioni passate, promesse mancate noi.
Testimoni di un'ansia d'amare, che non c'è più.
Come sono cambiato e tu…non sembri tu…
Che ne è, di noi?
Perché mai
Si diverte la sorte a confondere i piani tuoi?
La certezza diventa di colpo fatalità…
Ti ha stancato già…
E poi, cedere al sordo piacere, di chiunque sia…
Che disagio! Che agonia!!!
Balliamo ancora, Maria!
Una volta, Maria…
Dentro un ricordo, che fai?
Ti senti stupido e ridicolo, lo sai!
Ieri,
Fieri
Di appartenerci, noi…
Ieri,
Misteri…
Oggi, la realtà, brucia!
Balla,
Eri bella…
Vola farfalla, vai…
Balla, all'amore…
Al desiderio che…muore!!!
C'era una volta, Maria…
La nostalgia…
Una danza, un giro…e via
The lyrics to Renato Zero's song "Ecco noi" (Here we are) speak of the passing of time and the changes it brings. The singer reflects on how he and those around him have changed, wondering what has happened to them. He questions why fate seems to take pleasure in confusing one's plans; certainty can suddenly become a fatalistic event. The song also explores the idea of giving in to the pleasure of others at the expense of oneself, and the agony that can come with it. Despite these themes of discomfort and uncertainty, there is still a sense of nostalgia and love as the singer urges Maria to dance and reminisces about the past.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is lost, unsure of how they ended up where they are. The singer reflects on what has happened to the love and passion that once existed in their life, and the disappointment of unfulfilled promises. He laments how people have changed and grown apart from each other, even though they still hold onto memories of the past. The pleas to dance and live in the moment can be seen as a way to escape the pain of the present and hold onto cherished memories.
Overall, "Ecco noi" is a reminder of the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. It urges listeners to live in the present and not get lost in the past or the uncertain future.
Line by Line Meaning
Ecco noi!!!
Here we are!!!
Stagioni passate, promesse mancate noi.
Past seasons, unfulfilled promises from us.
Testimoni di un'ansia d'amare, che non c'è più.
Witnesses of a love anxiety that is no longer there.
Come sono cambiato e tu non sembri tu Che ne è, di noi?
How I've changed and you don't seem like yourself. What happened to us?
Perché mai Si diverte la sorte a confondere i piani tuoi?
Why does fate enjoy confusing your plans?
La certezza diventa di colpo fatalità Quando ottieni quel che volevi, Ti ha stancato già E poi, cedere al sordo piacere, di chiunque sia Che disagio! Che agonia!!!
Certainty suddenly becomes a curse, when you obtain what you wished for, you get tired of it quickly. And then, submitting to the deaf pleasure of whoever it may be, what discomfort! What agony!!!
Balliamo ancora, Maria! Una volta, Maria Dentro un ricordo, che fai? Ti senti stupido e ridicolo, lo sai!
Let's dance again, Maria! Once, Maria, inside a memory, what do you do? You feel stupid and ridiculous, you know!
Ieri, Fieri Di appartenerci, noi Ieri, Misteri Oggi, la realtà, brucia!
Yesterday, we were proud to belong. Yesterday, we were surrounded by mysteries. Today, reality burns!
Balla, Eri bella Vola farfalla, vai Balla, all'amore Al desiderio che muore!!!
Dance, you were beautiful. Fly butterfly, go. Dance to love, to the dying desire!!!
C'era una volta, Maria La nostalgia Una danza, un giro e via
Once upon a time, Maria, nostalgia. One dance, a turn and away.
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
giovannimilan Pollastri
Album incredibile! Scritto, suonato e interpretato da artisti al top! Tutti enormi i nomi che hanno partecipato a questo disco, e il risultato è stato veramente superlativo! Lo ascolto ancora oggi con grande entusiasmo.
Chris 95
Concordo. Secondo me è uno dei migliori che ha fatto
Boris Genovese
Artide Antartide rappresenta la massima espressione delle poesia del maestro Renato. I testi toccano temi sempre attuali del sociale. Psicologia, sentimento, odio, droga, amore, rapporti genitoriali....
Questo testo descrive in modo dettagliato la monotia nell'amore di coppia, l'amore che si spegne giorno dopo giorno lasciando il posto alla routine di tutti i giorni dove la sicurezza copre passione e sana gelosia. L'assenza di appagamento nel conquistare un qual cosa che già ci appartiene....
Arianna Vettese
@alessandro agnelli e il primo?
alessandro agnelli
Ho sempre considerato Artide Antartide il secondo disco più bello di Renato, fino a quando ho avuto occasione di ascoltare Tregua, e allora Artide è sceso al numero tre, ma resta un capolavoro. Le mie preferite STRANIERI, PIONIERI, IL JOLLY, CIAO STEFANIA, MARCIAPIEDI, STERILI...e mi fermo sennò le dico tutte
ktuscia
Grande, unico, testo musica... poesia dell'anima...non ci sono parole per esprimere la sua grandezza....
Andrea Varzi
"Quando ottieni quel che volevi, ti ha stancato già..."
Grande e inconcludente verità!
Letizia Cantoni
Le canzoni di Renato sono tante piccole perle che lui indossa con un suo teatrale unico stile che io ammiro da impazzire 🖤
fratellocuore
I.N.D.U.B.B.I.A.M.E.N.T.E....il più bell'album di RENATO
Bax71 Bax71
Che musica! Credo di essere vivo grazie a lui.grazie ancora grazie Renato