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.
Per non essere così
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Non è un gioco, il carnevale!
Mi scelsi un abito... Provai ad essere diverso...
Per non essere così!
Dio! Come sono, ridicolo...
Quando tento di piacere!
Se mai mi nutrirò, di fantasie, per non morire...
Per non essere cosi!
Un'altra volta, realtà...
Senza più, una bugia!
Io sul filo, in equilibrio...
Guai... Se io guardassi, giù!
Guai... Se mi tradissi!
Se tu, leggessi... Paura!
Paura, di me...
Di questo vuoto, che c'è,
Quando lo smalto, va via...
Sarò l'ombra, di nessuno...
Ancora un'ombra, senza età!
Coltiverò i miei dubbi...
Rabbia ed ingenuità!
Amerò la gente, come me...
Che ogni volta, cambia pelle...
Che un giorno, è sull'asfalto,
Un altro giorno, è fra le stelle!
Per non essere cosi... Cosi! Cosi!!
Siamo qui, impazienti... Siamo, qui!
Aspettando, un carnevale!
Che si risvegli, ancora, quella voglia di tentare...
Per non essere cosi!
Un desiderio a metà,
Quante altre volte realtà...
Coraggio... Non andar via!
Paura!
La stessa!
Paura!
Non passa!
Quando io, sul marciapiede,
Chiedo amore...
E invece tu ...
Apri il portafoglio,
E paghi, quell'ora, in più!
Ambiguo!
Diverso!
Perverso!
E adesso, come mi vuoi ?!
Più donna!?
Più uomo!
Non tremo...
Adesso decido, io!
Quale sarà il ruolo, mio!
Hai paura ?
Tenta la sorte... O preferisci, la morte
The song "Per Non Essere Così" by Renato Zero is about struggling with one's own identity and trying to fit in with society's expectations. The lyrics suggest that the singer is tired of trying to please others and be someone that they are not. The song starts by referencing a carnival, saying that even the singer's latest feat is nothing special and that life is not just a game. They then describe trying to dress differently and be their own person in order to avoid being seen as just like everyone else.
The chorus "per non essere così" means "to not be like this" and serves as a reminder that the singer is striving to be unique and true to themselves. They express fear of being judged by others and of the emptiness they feel when they try to conform to societal norms. The singer acknowledges their own doubts and naivety but still sees value in being authentic and loving people who, like them, are constantly changing.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not be afraid to take risks or challenge societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Anche l'ultima prodezza, va...
Even the latest brave act, goes...
Non è un gioco, il carnevale!
The carnival is not a game!
Mi scelsi un abito... Provai ad essere diverso...
I chose a dress... I tried to be different...
Per non essere così!
To not be like this!
Dio! Come sono, ridicolo...
God! How ridiculous I am...
Quando tento di piacere!
When I try to please!
Se mai mi nutrirò, di fantasie, per non morire...
If ever I nourish myself with fantasies, to not die...
Per non essere cosi!
To not be like this!
Un desiderio a metà,
A wish halfway,
Un'altra volta, realtà...
Another time, reality...
Senza più, una bugia!
Without another lie!
Io sul filo, in equilibrio...
Me on the wire, in balance...
Guai... Se io guardassi, giù!
Woe... If I look down!
Guai... Se mi tradissi!
Woe... If I betray myself!
Se tu, leggessi... Paura!
If you read... Fear!
Paura, di me...
Fear, of myself...
Di questo vuoto, che c'è,
Of this emptiness that is there,
Quando lo smalto, va via...
When the nail polish goes away...
Sarò l'ombra, di nessuno...
I'll be no one's shadow...
Ancora un'ombra, senza età!
Still a shadow, without age!
Coltiverò i miei dubbi...
I'll cultivate my doubts...
Rabbia ed ingenuità!
Anger and naivety!
Amerò la gente, come me...
I'll love people, like me...
Che ogni volta, cambia pelle...
Who changes skin every time...
Che un giorno, è sull'asfalto,
Who one day, is on the asphalt,
Un altro giorno, è fra le stelle!
Another day, is among the stars!
Per non essere cosi... Cosi! Cosi!!
To not be like this... Like this! Like this!!
Siamo qui, impazienti... Siamo, qui!
We are here, impatient... We are here!
Aspettando, un carnevale!
Waiting for a carnival!
Che si risvegli, ancora, quella voglia di tentare...
That awakens once again, the desire to try...
Per non essere cosi!
To not be like this!
Un desiderio a metà,
A wish halfway,
Quante altre volte realtà...
How many other times, reality...
Coraggio... Non andar via!
Courage... Don't go away!
Paura!
Fear!
La stessa!
The same!
Paura!
Fear!
Non passa!
Doesn't go away!
Quando io, sul marciapiede,
When I, on the sidewalk,
Chiedo amore...
Ask for love...
E invece tu ...
And instead you...
Apri il portafoglio,
Open the wallet,
E paghi, quell'ora, in più!
And pay that extra hour!
Ambiguo!
Ambiguous!
Diverso!
Different!
Perverso!
Perverted!
E adesso, come mi vuoi?!
And now, how do you want me?!
Più donna!?
More feminine?!
Più uomo!
More masculine!
Non tremo...
I don't tremble...
Adesso decido, io!
Now I decide!
Quale sarà il ruolo, mio!
What will be my role!
Hai paura ?
Are you afraid?
Tenta la sorte... O preferisci, la morte
Take a chance... Or do you prefer death
Contributed by Elizabeth S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Valentina Locchi
Una favola! Forse questo è il più bel disco dal vivo che hai fatto! Grande Renatone!
Gianluca Boriolo
Un bellissimo concerto prometeo. Grande renato.
Grazie per la tua musica.
Ale Naty
Semplicemente magnifica❤️🥰🥰
Nelida Andrada
toda la obra de Renato es magnifica
Simone Riggi
Bellissima 😎
Pino Cormio
Renato sei l amico che mi ha fatto crescere dall adolescenza a farmi diventare uomo con i veri valori della vita dal 78 ad oggi ascolto il mio grande amico il più grande di tutti RENATO ZEROOOOO
moghen68
Caro Renato ti ascolto da 50 anni volevo solo dirti GRAZIE
Paolo Poli
Stupenda
markossize
Una delle migliori...
Anna Cefariello
Da brividi immenso sei Renato