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.
Grattacieli di sale
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
stanco di pregare, ancora no!
non è mai abbastanza questa mia presenza
finché avrò la forza io insisterò
Dammi quello che mi spetta
e dopo me ne andrò
non posso fare a meno del cervello, no!
Hai rubato il sole
hai nascosto il mare
mentre un uomo muore
tu dove sei?
Nei grattacieli di sale nascondi la tua viltà
per affidare ad un bottone l'intera umanità
che non sa... che non sa
Tutti i tuoi figli malati, uomo
come li nutrirai?
con le tue sporche cazzate
ma quando **** il fumo
di questa tua maledetta città
che fa? che fa?
Questa tua ambizione è un sottile male
toglimi anche il cuore tra i robot
Nei grattacieli di sale
costringi la verità
se questo mondo è sbagliato
tu dici: "Si rifà...si rifà"
Ma imprigionare il vento
nei grattacieli non puoi
finché il sorriso ed il pianto
apparterranno a noi
Finché il tuo sporco veleno
nessuno mai ******
finché non ti vedranno succhiato
da quella tua maledetta città
...che fa?
The song "Grattacieli di sale" by Renato Zero is a powerful and evocative protest song that speaks out against the corruption, greed, and indifference of those in power who exploit and oppress the poor and marginalized. The lyrics are emotionally charged and express a deep sense of frustration, anger, and despair at the immorality and injustice of the world. The song begins with the singer expressing his exhaustion and disillusionment with the endless cycle of struggle and survival, of searching, stealing, and praying for a better life. He asserts that his mere presence and willpower are not enough to make a difference in a society that is rigged against him.
The chorus accuses those in power of stealing the sun and hiding the sea, while people are dying and suffering. The use of the second person singular "tu" (you) is confrontational and accusatory, suggesting a direct and personal responsibility for the injustices and crimes committed. The image of "grattacieli di sale" (skyscrapers of salt) is metaphorical and unsettling, suggesting a sterile and corrosive environment in which nothing can grow and nothing is nourishing or fulfilling. The line "mentre un uomo muore tu dove sei?" (while a man is dying where are you?) is poignant and powerful, highlighting the contrast between the human cost of oppression and the callous indifference of those who profit from it.
The second verse addresses the issue of hunger and poverty, and the hypocrisy of the powerful who claim to care but do nothing substantial to alleviate the suffering. The singer challenges the notion that words and promises can feed hungry children or cure sick people, and exposes the reality of a city (presumably Rome, where Renato Zero was born) that is polluted, corrupted, and doomed to implode. The use of profanity ("sporche cazzate") is jarring and reinforces the tone of frustration and anger. The metaphor of "grattacieli di sale" is resumed, but this time it is the truth that is being imprisoned and distorted by those who control the narrative.
The last part of the song is a defiant and hopeful statement of resistance and resilience. The singer asserts that the wind of change cannot be trapped in the skyscrapers of salt, and that the power of human emotions (smiles and tears) is indestructible and universal. The use of the word "succhiato" (sucked) in reference to the city is reminiscent of a vampire image, suggesting that the city is draining the lifeblood of its inhabitants and will eventually consume itself. The repeated question "che fa?" (what do you do?) is a challenge and a call to action, urging the listener to join the fight against oppression and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Stanco di cercare, stanco di rubare
Tired of searching, tired of stealing
stanco di pregare, ancora no!
Tired of praying, not yet!
non è mai abbastanza questa mia presenza
My presence is never enough
finché avrò la forza io insisterò
I will persist as long as I have the strength
Dammi quello che mi spetta
Give me what I deserve
e dopo me ne andrò
And then I will leave
non posso fare a meno del cervello, no!
I can't do without my brain, no!
Hai rubato il sole
You've stolen the sun
hai nascosto il mare
You've hidden the sea
mentre un uomo muore
While a man dies
tu dove sei?
Where are you?
Nei grattacieli di sale nascondi la tua viltà
In salt skyscrapers you hide your cowardice
per affidare ad un bottone l'intera umanità
To entrust the entire humanity to a button
che non sa... che non sa
That doesn't know...that doesn't know
Tutti i tuoi figli malati, uomo
All your sick children, man
come li nutrirai?
How will you feed them?
con le tue sporche cazzate
With your dirty bullshit
ma quando **** il fumo
But when smoke ****
di questa tua maledetta città
From your damned city
che fa? che fa?
What does it do? What does it do?
Questa tua ambizione è un sottile male
Your ambition is a subtle evil
toglimi anche il cuore tra i robot
Take my heart away among the robots
Nei grattacieli di sale
In salt skyscrapers
costringi la verità
Force the truth
se questo mondo è sbagliato
If this world is wrong
tu dici: "Si rifà...si rifà"
You say: "It will be redone...redone"
Ma imprigionare il vento
But imprisoning the wind
nei grattacieli non puoi
You can't in the skyscrapers
finché il sorriso ed il pianto
As long as the smile and the tear
apparterranno a noi
Belong to us
Finché il tuo sporco veleno
As long as your dirty poison
nessuno mai ******
No one will ever ****
finché non ti vedranno succhiato
Until they see you sucked
da quella tua maledetta città
By your damned city
...che fa?
...what does it do?
Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.