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.
Motel
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ed una sigaretta viene
E un'altra va
Nervoso no, soltanto un po'
Quel tanto che precede i nostri incontri
E dopo passerà
Un bacio e tu
Ritorni tu
Negli occhi tuoi
Case ed alberi si inseguono ma
Ma, ci siamo ormai
Noi due, noi due
E il nostro solito rifugio
In quel Motel
Una stanza buia
Per vivere
Questo nostro amore
Grande più di noi
Qui, siamo entrati così
Siamo usciti così
Come due, senza nome
Qui
Qui
Ci accorgiamo che ormai
C'è qualcosa di noi
Un motivo per vivere
Noi due, noi due
Un corpo e un'anima approdati
In quel motel
Due lenzuola stinte
E un letto che
Sono broccati argento
Quando stai con me
Qui
Qui
Ci accorgiamo che ormai
C'è qualcosa di noi
Un motivo per vivere
Qui
Che m'importa se c'è
Solo un vecchio motel
Con le insegne già spente
Qui, tu sei mia
Qui
The opening lines of the song "Motel" by Renato Zero features the singer sharing a quiet moment with his lover, with a cigarette in hand as they anticipate their rendezvous. Zero's vocals are contemplative, almost introspective of the moments leading up to their encounter. His tone is hesitant, yet excited, as he describes the brief nerve-wracking feeling before each meeting. With a calm yet persistent urgency, he assures himself that the moment will soon pass. The lyrical themes shift drastically as Zero and his lover arrive at their favorite getaway, talking about their relationship which has grown stronger over time. The imagery he uses to describe their love, using words such as "body", "soul", and "stained sheets", evokes a sense of intimacy and passion.
The song is a beautiful contemplation of love in the most unconventional place, a motel. Renato Zero has captured the essence of what his character meant to him in the song, and the lyrics reflect an emotional journey of the character he portrays. The song is melancholic, yet sensual, as the narrative reflects on the uncertain future of the relationship. There is a hint of sadness within the lyrics, the future of the relationship uncertain, yet there is hope with the comfort of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Seduta qui, vicino a me
Ed una sigaretta viene
E un'altra va
Sitting here, close to me, smoking a cigarette. Lighting up another one, then extinguishing it.
Nervoso no, soltanto un po'
Quel tanto che precede i nostri incontri
E dopo passerà
Not nervous, just a little bit. The usual feeling before our meetings. And soon it will pass.
Un bacio e tu
Ritorni tu
E l'auto va
A kiss from you, then you return to the car and it drives away.
Negli occhi tuoi
Case ed alberi si inseguono ma
Ma, ci siamo ormai
Noi due, noi due
In your eyes, houses and trees are passing by, but we're already there, just the two of us.
E il nostro solito rifugio
In quel Motel
Una stanza buia
Per vivere
Questo nostro amore
Grande più di noi
Qui, siamo entrati così
Siamo usciti così
And our usual refuge, in that motel. A dark room to live out our love, bigger than ourselves. We entered here like this and we'll leave like this.
Come due, senza nome
Qui
Qui
Like two, without names. Here. Here.
Ci accorgiamo che ormai
C'è qualcosa di noi
Un motivo per vivere
Noi due, noi due
Un corpo e un'anima approdati
In quel motel
We realize now that there's something about us, a reason for us to live. Just the two of us, two bodies and souls landing in that motel.
Due lenzuola stinte
E un letto che
Sono broccati argento
Quando stai con me
Qui
Qui
Two faded sheets and a bed with silver brocade, shining when you're with me. Here. Here.
Che m'importa se c'è
Solo un vecchio motel
Con le insegne già spente
Qui, tu sei mia
Qui
What does it matter if it's just an old motel with faded signs? Here, you are mine. Here.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCA EVANGELISTI, RENATO FIACCHINI, MAURIZIO PICCOLI, PIERO PINTUCCI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francesco Fiorentino
Questa canzone racconta in modo stupendo le emozioni e le sensazioni delle attese che precedono momenti belli. Quando si ama una persona non esiste nulla né il tempo, né lo spazio. Le persone non hanno capito che nell'amore il tempo non esiste, esiste solo un attimo che viene fermato insieme.
Caterona Fiorino
Verissimo ! Sensazioni provate ...
anna66 dm
@Francesco Fiorentino Grazie a te 👍👍👍
Francesco Fiorentino
@anna66 dm Grazie, sei molto gentile-
anna66 dm
Francesco Fiorentino Bellissimo commento! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
antonio buoncristiani
Questo era Renato Zero
Rosa
Eccezionalità....nascosta nella sensibilità di fermarsi ad ascoltare con l'anima....solo per pochi❤❤❤❤
Carla
Felice di aver vissuto le emozioni di Renato dall'inizio fino ad oggi. Non esiste canzone più bella . Le sue canzoni sono per tutti i tempi. Grazie Renato 🎩💖💯🎪
Maria Paola Minniti
Una tra le più belle canzoni di Renato 😍💓❤️🥰
Emanuela DiDonato
Le parole non riusciranno mai a descrivere un sentimento... ma la tua musica insieme alle tue parole, non hanno mai fallito! <3