The use of local dialect is an integral part of Sud Sound System's music. Such a use is not a choice: you can choose to sing in English, considering it to be an appropriate language for music, but you can't choose something which is part of your character, part of your daily vocabulary. The local dialect is not the only linguistic expression used in Salento reggae, but it is however the most natural choice because it is part of the artists themselves.
In June 1991, the 12" "Fuecu/T'a sciuta bona" was released and its impact on the Italian music scene was certainly noticeable; this record, like few others in that period, had something new to say. It was a unique record for its musical freshness due to its use of the Salento dialect combined with reggae rhythms. It consequently met with great success.
1992 saw the release of two 12" records: one with the tracks "Reggae Internazionale" and "Punnu Ieu," the other with "Turcinieddhri" and "Chiappalu." These new tracks immediately became popular and were constantly requested at the numerous concerts which followed. A long series of appearances began with foreign exponents of the roots, reggae and raggamuffin scene: Macka B and Mad Professor, Little Owie, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Asher D, Chunny Rankin, Daddy Freddy, Thriller Jenna, Sweete Irie. In 1993 and 1994, various tours took S.S.S. to different European countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland and Britain.
In the first few months of 1994 they christened their label Ritmo Vitale (Vital Rhythm) with a production called Salento Showcase '94,a compilation CD comprising many of the singers who were constantly appearing on the Salento reggae scene at that time. The album was successful and brought along a certain consolidation of the reggae and raggamuffin movement in that region.
In 1995 and the first few months of 1996 Sud Sound System was absorbed by the intense production of the album "Comu na petra," a fine piece of work that uses the Salentine tambourine players to lay down the basis for the type of raggamuffin they are known for; a raggamuffin with a certain sting which has always been an important part of the nature of the group. The tracks which most feel that 'sting' are: "Afro ragga mtaranta jazz" and "Crisce."
"Comu na petra" was preceded by a compilation entitled "Tradizione" which complied the group's recordings during the 1991-1996 period. Both records were produced in conjunction with the newspaper "Il Manifesto."
La Brava Gente
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh no! A ci te dae lu core ogne giurnu de chiui, e nun ci pensa mai, alla ricompensa nun ci pensa mai.
Laza e Sud Sound System moi, insieme alla Marina a quai.
A tutta la gente de core.
Sine moi!
Per l'amore che tu dai per il bene che tu fai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
...
Per la speranza che tu crei per l'aiuto che tu dai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
Pe ci difende l'onestà a favore della lealtà, pe ci dae aiutu e nu varda alla ricompensa, pe ci vive de ddhra luce ca ne moscia verità, per questo sai la brava gente mai cadrà!
Sine Moi!
Pe ci cerca cu te capisce cu la forza de l'umiltà, a discapitu de ci ferisce cu l'arroganza e vanità, perchè ci te parla cu lu core sai ca nu scunne falsità. Intra li anni, intra li secoli, l'amore pe tutti è na bontà
...
...
Per l'amore che tu dai per il bene che tu fai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
...
Per la speranza che tu crei per l'aiuto che tu dai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
Canta sempre cu lu core, binchi le parole de amore, cussi sulu te ponnu dare la ragione cu puei evitare;
Ca lu munnu 'ndaffaratu ca nu riesce bide quanta gente ncede ca alla verità 'ncora nci cride. La gente la dimostra intra ogne cosa ca face. L'amore è superiore cu diffondi pace. Te dimostru ca ince lu bene subbra lu male.
La gente bona nu po cadire!
...
Per l'amore che tu dai per il bene che tu fai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
...
Per la speranza che tu crei per l'aiuto che tu dai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
...
(Grazie a Fabio per questo testo)
The lyrics of Sud Sound System's La Brava Gente promote the values of honesty, loyalty, humility, and love. The song praises those who act with kindness and selflessness, without expecting rewards or recognition. The "brava gente" (good people) referred to in the song will never fall or fail, as their actions are guided by their hearts and their beliefs. The lyrics encourage listeners to do the same, to choose love and goodness over arrogance and selfishness, and to live with integrity and compassion.
The song also touches upon the struggles and challenges faced by those who try to live by these values, and the need for support and encouragement from others. The mention of the Marina (a naval force) and the call for the 'Sud Sound System' suggest a need for unity and collaboration among individuals and communities who share these beliefs.
Overall, La Brava Gente is a powerful anthem of hope, perseverance, and solidarity, celebrating the strength and resilience of those who choose to live by the principles of honesty, loyalty, humility, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
La brava gente non cadrà mai!
The good people will never fall!
Oh no! A ci te dae lu core ogne giurnu de chiui, e nun ci pensa mai, alla ricompensa nun ci pensa mai.
Oh no! They do it from the heart every day, and never think about the reward.
Laza e Sud Sound System moi, insieme alla Marina a quai.
Laza and Sud Sound System here, along with Marina too.
A tutta la gente de core.
To all the people with a good heart.
Sine moi!
Sing with me!
Per l'amore che tu dai per il bene che tu fai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
For the love you give and the good that you do: the good people will never fall!
...
...
Per la speranza che tu crei per l'aiuto che tu dai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
For the hope you create and the help you give: the good people will never fall!
...
...
Pe ci difende l'onestà a favore della lealtà, pe ci dae aiutu e nu varda alla ricompensa, pe ci vive de ddhra luce ca ne moscia verità, per questo sai la brava gente mai cadrà!
To defend honesty in favor of loyalty, to give aid without looking for a reward, to live in a light that shows the truth – for this reason, the good people will never fall!
Sine Moi!
Sing with me!
Pe ci cerca cu te capisce cu la forza de l'umiltà, a discapitu de ci ferisce cu l'arroganza e vanità, perchè ci te parla cu lu core sai ca nu scunne falsità. Intra li anni, intra li secoli, l'amore pe tutti è na bontà
To seek out those who understand with the strength of humility, despite those who hurt with their arrogance and vanity, because when you speak from the heart, you know there is no falsehood. Across the years, across the centuries, love for all is a goodness.
...
...
...
...
Canta sempre cu lu core, binchi le parole de amore, cussi sulu te ponnu dare la ragione cu puei evitare;
Ca lu munnu 'ndaffaratu ca nu riesce bide quanta gente ncede ca alla verità 'ncora nci cride. La gente la dimostra intra ogne cosa ca face. L'amore è superiore cu diffondi pace. Te dimostru ca ince lu bene subbra lu male.
Sing always from the heart, speak words of love, so you can give the reason for what can be avoided. Because the busy world cannot see how many people believe in the truth. People show it in everything they do. Love is superior for spreading peace. I'll show you that good outweighs evil.
La gente bona nu po cadire!
Good people can't fall!
...
...
Per l'amore che tu dai per il bene che tu fai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
For the love you give and the good that you do: the good people will never fall!
...
...
Per la speranza che tu crei per l'aiuto che tu dai: la brava gente non cadrà mai!
For the hope you create and the help you give: the good people will never fall!
...
...
Contributed by Juliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.