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.
Voglia
Renato Zero Lyrics
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Tu che tenti di piacere di più,
Tu quante altre volte tu.
Finirà che il mondo scoprirà che tu esisti.
Vai tranquillità verso l'uomo che vuoi,
Vai sicura che poi gli piacerai,
Ci stai a dare un calcio ai guai,
A dire no alla noia che ti toglie la voglia, e poi…
Tu la spinta per tornare su, ancora su.
E allora dai, lasciati andare in questo mare,
Un mare che non ti aspettavi più,
Calore che sai solamente tu.
Tu..
Su te io ci scommetterei,
Io per te mille altre volte mi brucerei.
Sei tu quell'angelo che prima o poi decollerà,
Sei tu che conti, solo tu.
Il resto è la, fin quando la sete si placherà,
Di te io mi ubriaco e mi confondo,
Non puoi tentarmi e poi lasciarmi,
No, non farlo mai
E mi dirai che sono sempre un vagabondo,
Eppure ancora qui mi fermerò.
È solo per te che canterò,
Per teeee…!!!
The lyrics of this song express encouragement and support for someone who may be feeling unsure about their place in the world or their ability to succeed. The singer urges the listener to be confident in themselves, to approach the person they want with ease, and to not let boredom or trouble get in their way. The chorus reinforces this message, with the singer assuring them that they are still there, singing for them and believing in them.
The lyrics suggest a sense of longing and passion for life, as well as a strong connection to the subject of the song. The singer views this person as special and expects great things from them, encouraging them to embrace their own abilities and pursue their dreams. The song celebrates the value of being true to oneself and having confidence in one's own abilities, while also acknowledging the challenges that come along the way.
Overall, the lyrics of this song convey a message of hope, encouragement and support, reminding the listener that they are not alone and that they have the potential to achieve greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu che aspetti che sia vita anche tu,
You, who wait for life as well, just like me,
Tu che tenti di piacere di più,
You, who tries to please more than anyone else,
Tu quante altre volte tu.
You, how many more times,
Finirà che il mondo scoprirà che tu esisti.
The world will eventually discover that you exist.
Vai tranquillità verso l'uomo che vuoi,
Go calmly towards the man you want,
Vai sicura che poi gli piacerai,
Go convinced that he will like you later on,
Ci stai a dare un calcio ai guai,
You are ready to kick away the problems,
A dire no alla noia che ti toglie la voglia, e poi…
Saying no to the boredom that takes away your desire and then…
Per te io sono ancora qui che canto,
I am still here singing for you,
Tu la spinta per tornare su, ancora su.
You are the push to keep going higher and higher.
E allora dai, lasciati andare in questo mare,
So come on, let yourself go in this sea,
Un mare che non ti aspettavi più,
A sea you didn't expect anymore,
Calore che sai solamente tu.
A warmth that only you know.
Tu..
You…
Su te io ci scommetterei,
I would bet on you,
Io per te mille altre volte mi brucerei.
I would burn for you a thousand more times.
Sei tu quell'angelo che prima o poi decollerà,
You are that angel that will eventually take off,
Sei tu che conti, solo tu.
You are the one that matters, only you.
Il resto è la, fin quando la sete si placherà,
The rest will be there, as long as the thirst is quenched,
Di te io mi ubriaco e mi confondo,
I get drunk and confused over you,
Non puoi tentarmi e poi lasciarmi,
You can't seduce me and then leave me,
No, non farlo mai
No, don't ever do that.
E mi dirai che sono sempre un vagabondo,
And you will tell me that I am always a vagabond,
Eppure ancora qui mi fermerò.
And yet, I will stop here once again.
È solo per te che canterò,
It's only for you that I will sing,
Per teeee…!!!
For you…!!!
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.