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.
Il Cielo
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ho guardato al cielo…
ma il mio destino è cieco… e non lo sa!
E non c'è pietà,
per chi non prega, e si convincerà…
che non è solo una macchia scura…
il cielo!
Quante volte,
avrei preso il volo…
ma le ali,
le ha bruciate già…
la mia vanità!
e la presenza di chi è andato, già…
Rubandomi, la libertà!
Il cielo!
Quanti amori
conquistano il cielo!
Perle d'oro, nell'immensità!
Qualcuna cadrà,
qualcuna invece il tempo, vincerà!
Finche avrà abbastanza stelle…
il cielo!
Quanta violenza,
sotto questo, cielo!
un altro figlio nasce e non lo vuoi…
gli spermatozoi, l'unica forza,
tutto ciò, che hai!
Ma che uomo, sei,
(live: Se non riprendi un barattolo di vernice insieme a me e ricominciamo a dipingere questo mondo grigio questo mondo così stanco, dell'amore che vuoi, dell'amicizia che rincorri da sempre. Dipingiamolo di noi, di noi zerofolli, di noi zeromatti, a noi che basta un sorriso, una stretta di mano e a me che basta semplicemente dirvi... Vi amo!)
Se non hai…
il cielo!
The song "Il cielo" by Renato Zero is a reflective piece that explores the theme of fate and the role it plays in our lives. The lyrics begin with the singer looking up at the sky, contemplating his destiny, which he sees as blind and beyond his control. He laments the lack of mercy for those who do not pray, indicating the influence of religion on his worldview. Throughout the song, the artist juxtaposes the beauty and majesty of the sky with the violence and cruelty of the world below it. He asserts that love is the only force that can conquer the sky, yet it is not always enough to overcome the harshness of reality. In the end, the singer questions what kind of person his listeners are and challenges them to join him in a quest to create a better world.
The song offers several poignant messages about the human condition, such as how fate can seem overwhelming and indifferent to our desires, how love is ultimately the only hope for redemption, and how our daily actions shape the world around us. The artist's use of metaphors and imagery, such as referring to the sky as a "dark stain" and "gems of gold," adds depth and complexity to the lyrics. Furthermore, he employs a conversational tone and a call to action in his live performances, imbuing the song with a sense of urgency and personal responsibility.
Overall, "Il cielo" is a thought-provoking song that invites listeners to contemplate their lives and their role in society. Its themes are timeless and relatable, making it a classic in Italian music history.
Line by Line Meaning
Quante volte,
ho guardato al cielo…
ma il mio destino è cieco… e non lo sa!
I have looked at the sky so many times, but my fate is unknown and blind to it.
E non c'è pietà,
per chi non prega, e si convincerà…
che non è solo una macchia scura…
il cielo!
There is no mercy for those who don't pray, and they will realize that the sky is not just a dark spot.
Quante volte,
avrei preso il volo…
ma le ali,
le ha bruciate già…
la mia vanità!
e la presenza di chi è andato, già…
Rubandomi, la libertà!
Il cielo!
I would have flown away so many times, but my vanity and the presence of those who have already left me have burned my wings, stealing my freedom.
Quanti amori
conquistano il cielo!
Perle d'oro, nell'immensità!
Qualcuna cadrà,
qualcuna invece il tempo, vincerà!
Finche avrà abbastanza stelle…
il cielo!
So many loves conquer the sky, becoming golden pearls in its vastness. Some of them will fall, but others will last until the sky has enough stars.
Quanta violenza,
sotto questo, cielo!
un altro figlio nasce e non lo vuoi…
gli spermatozoi, l'unica forza,
tutto ciò, che hai!
So much violence under this sky, another child is born and unwanted. Spermatozoa are the only power you have.
Ma che uomo, sei,
(live: Se non riprendi un barattolo di vernice insieme a me e ricominciamo a dipingere questo mondo grigio questo mondo così stanco, dell'amore che vuoi, dell'amicizia che rincorri da sempre. Dipingiamolo di noi, di noi zerofolli, di noi zeromatti, a noi che basta un sorriso, una stretta di mano e a me che basta semplicemente dirvi... Vi amo!)
Se non hai…
il cielo!
But who are you, if not someone who can paint this tired, gray world with love and friendship? You, who only need a smile or a handshake, and you only need to say... I love you! If you don't have the sky, what do you have?
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@giuseppesolinas8953
Se tutti gli ITALIANI che non hanno mai visto un concerto di Renato Zero.. Lo andassero a vedere ...ci vorrebbe uno stadio di 5 milioni di posti ... immenso GRANDE CUORE.. Grazie per le tue meravigliose poesie.. ❤😘
@giovannacaputo2733
concordo vero io ci sono andata a vedere il suo concerto.
@user-yg9cj3qy3w
❤
@enricofalzone9911
La sua voce, le sue canzoni, fanno vibrare l'anima, di colui che Canta e l'anima di colui che lo ascolta. Grazie Renato! ❤️
@antoniorotelli1707
,m4
@GristinaMario-ep5ul
Il cielo della panini portiere dellotel di veronasuno allaba he bella fiaba ci sentiamo dopoxwuacosa fuori luogo sempre x gioco❤❤❤🎉🎉
@filippobellardinelli6330
Lo
Ascoltano tutte le generazioni perché è un genio nel suo genere e ti tocca il
Cuore quando canta le poesie.
Stupendo
@robertopantanetti4866
Che bello vedere un grande Artista che si emoziona e si commuove davanti al suo pubblico ..!!! Meraviglioso...che Dio ti benedica per le emozioni che ci regali !!!
@SuperPaola1963
Questo video mi fa letteralmente sciogliere... prima un sorriso caldo, radioso, poi il pianto, l'emozione davanti al pubblico. Un video davvero meraviglioso... lo consumo a forza di guardarlo!
@martamar2784
9