He was born in Saigon, French Indochina, now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to an Italian father and a French mother. He moved to Rome, Italy at the age of 11 where he attended school and started his career as musician coming to success around 1972. He also lived in the USA and Ireland. In 1976, Cocciante covered the Beatles song "Michelle" for the musical documentary All This and World War II.
In 1991 he won the Sanremo Festival with the song "Se stiamo insieme", and for Christmas 1997 legendary Spanish operatic tenor and friend Plácido Domingo invited him to sing at Domingo's annual Christmas in Vienna concert, together with Sarah Brightman and Helmut Lotti.
As of 2008, Cocciante has three musicals running, probably Notre-Dame de Paris being the most known. This musical may later be put into competition against another musical in progress, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame (musical).
Source: Wikipedia
Tu sei il mio amico carissimo
Riccardo Cocciante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
non diventi egoismo n� frattura mai
difendiamo ogni istante la nostra lealt�
sono certo - ci credo - e cos� sar�
Pericoli tanti e tante gelosie
rabbie, impazienza, piccole manie
ti mander� all'inferno e cos� farai tu
un po' pi� alti, una spanna in s�
Tu sei il mio amico carissimo
non tradirmi mai
n� soldi, n� donne, n� politica
potranno dividerci
tu sei il mio amico carissimo
non tradirmi mai...
Tifosi avversari senza tregua ormai
nemici magari per una sera e poi
sicuri che quando emergenza verr�
un aiuto ognuno di noi due dar�
gli ostacoli sono vivificanti follie
e le discussioni senza mai bugie
ti mander� all'inferno
e cos� farai tu
ma saremo poi amici ancora di pi�
un po' pi� alti, una spanna in su
The song "Tu sei il mio amico carissimo" by Riccardo Cocciante is a beautiful tribute to the bond of friendship. The song talks about the natural competitiveness within humans and how it shouldn't turn into selfishness or break the bond of friendship. The lyrics encourage the friends to defend their loyalty every step of the way and remain steadfast in their relationship with each other, no matter the danger or struggle. The lyrics also contend with the many hazards that come with friendships, such as jealousy, rage, impatience, and little quirks. However, the song reassures that despite all these obstacles, true friends will overcome them and come out of the other end even closer.
Cocciante uses vivid imagery and playful language to convey the genuine affection between the two friends. He describes how even when they are in opposition, such as during a sports match, they will still come to each other's aid in times of need. The song also acknowledges the fact that disagreements and discussions are natural parts of any friendship, but they should never be based on lies. Despite any disagreements, true friends will always learn to accept each other's differences and remain close.
In summary, the song "Tu sei il mio amico carissimo" is a beautiful song that celebrates the uniqueness of friendship. It speaks to the fact that despite the many pitfalls and struggles that come with friendship, true friends will always overcome them and come out closer than ever before. The lyrics encourage loyalty, honesty, and acceptance in any friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Perch� l'agonismo che � dentro di noi
The competitive spirit that exists within us
non diventi egoismo n� frattura mai
should not turn into selfishness or cause a rift
difendiamo ogni istante la nostra lealt�
let us always defend our loyalty
sono certo - ci credo - e cos� sar�
I am certain - I believe - and thus it will be
Pericoli tanti e tante gelosie
Many dangers and jealousies
rabbie, impazienza, piccole manie
Anger, impatience, little quirks
ti mander� all'inferno e cos� farai tu
I will send you to hell and so will you
ma saremo poi amici ancora di pi�
But then we will be even better friends
un po' pi� alti, una spanna in s�
A little higher, a step up
Tu sei il mio amico carissimo
You are my dearest friend
non tradirmi mai
Never betray me
n� soldi, n� donne, n� politica
Neither money, nor women, nor politics
potranno dividerci
Can divide us
Tifosi avversari senza tregua ormai
Opposing fans without mercy now
nemici magari per una sera e poi
Enemies for perhaps one evening and then
sicuri che quando emergenza verr�
Certain that when an emergency arises
un aiuto ognuno di noi due dar�
Each of us will offer help
gli ostacoli sono vivificanti follie
Obstacles are invigorating madness
e le discussioni senza mai bugie
And discussions without lies
ma saremo poi amici ancora di pi�
But then we will be even better friends
un po' pi� alti, una spanna in su
A little higher, a step up
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.