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."
Lento
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento.
Non ho voglia di seguire il tuo ritmo perche' parlo molto e mi lamento faccio solo quello che sento per davvero, sono io il terrone vero: ignorante sospettoso, brutto, nero.
Solo, sai che non e' solo questione di scelta pe nui ca stai punnamu a quai, nessuno no mai nessuno ha deciso: "Quista e' la strada giusta pe bui" e strade su strade, minuti e poi ure spesi a cercare qualcosa che partendo dal cuore e poi con parole arrivasse libero come a noi a te. Vivo sai che sono vivo soltanto se continuo ogni giorno a fare cosi', nessuno no mai nessuno ha diviso questo amore dal sentirmi vivo qui a 'ncore e a 'ncapu, davanti a me e dentro senza barriere suoni e culture si muovono verso un futuro che ora decdo e mai nessuno puo' togliermi questo pensiero.
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento. Cosi' mi aggrappo alla mia terra piu' che posso sono il primo a mollare l'osso e' troppo duro schiaccia la mia vita, sono solo un rozzo di strada.
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento.
* Questo meridionale muore senza cantare le canzoni che sentiva sempre vicino al mare
**Mettici fuoco
The lyrics to Sud Sound System's "Lento" express the freedom to live life at one's own pace without the pressure of conforming to society's expectations. The singer, Papa Gianni, Treble & GgD, declares that he will only do what he feels like doing and will not follow the rhythms of others. He is proud to be a "terrone vero," or a true southern Italian, and acknowledges that he may be considered ignorant, suspicious, ugly, and black. However, he is unapologetically himself and refuses to change for anyone else.
The second verse speaks to the struggle of finding one's path in life. The singer knows that it is not simply a matter of choice, but rather a journey of exploring different roads and finding what resonates with the heart. He lives for his passion and love for life, and nobody can take that away from him. The third verse focuses on memories of summers past, and the singer longs for another warm summer to come. He acknowledges that he may not have a dream to pursue, but he is content living his life fully in the present.
The chorus, "Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento," or "Slowly, I have my time, I only do what I feel," reinforces the message that everyone should live life at their own pace and stay true to themselves. The song is a celebration of freedom, self-expression, and being unapologetically oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento.
I take my time and do only what I feel like doing. I don't want to follow your rhythm because I talk a lot and complain. I do only what I truly feel like doing. I am the true southerner: ignorant, suspicious, ugly and black.
Non ho voglia di seguire il tuo ritmo perche' parlo molto e mi lamento faccio solo quello che sento per davvero, sono io il terrone vero: ignorante sospettoso, brutto, nero.
Solo, sai che non e' solo questione di scelta pe nui ca stai punnamu a quai, nessuno no mai nessuno ha deciso: "Quista e' la strada giusta pe bui" e strade su strade, minuti e poi ure spesi a cercare qualcosa che partendo dal cuore e poi con parole arrivasse libero come a noi a te.
We are not alone, but it's not just a matter of choice. Nobody has ever decided 'this is the right way for you.' We spend minutes and hours searching for something that starts from the heart and comes out as free as we are. We move ahead, without barriers thanks to music and cultures that head towards a future that I choose and nobody can take that thought away from me.
Vivo sai che sono vivo soltanto se continuo ogni giorno a fare cosi', nessuno no mai nessuno ha diviso questo amore dal sentirmi vivo qui a 'ncore e a 'ncapu, davanti a me e dentro senza barriere suoni e culture si muovono verso un futuro che ora decdo e mai nessuno puo' togliermi questo pensiero.
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento. Cosi' mi aggrappo alla mia terra piu' che posso sono il primo a mollare l'osso e' troppo duro schiaccia la mia vita, sono solo un rozzo di strada.
I take my time and do only what I feel like doing. This is how I hold onto my land as much as possible. I am the first to give up because the bone is too hard and crushes my life. I am just a rough street.
Silouette di donna sul mare d'oro al tramonto, mi ritorna in mente il ricordo di un' estate calda che ogni volta aspetto. Sono io il terrone senza il sogno nel cassetto cosa possono mai sapere lissu' credono di capire cosa sento quiddhru', ma corrono troppo sbagliano a valutare. Stu meridionale more senza cantare le canzuni ca sentia sempre allu mare.* Fuori da ogni prezzo vivo il tempo dove arrivero' un segno mettero' e quando e' festa e' festa e fazzu sempre trenta e trentunu e a casa bruciata la sai ci mintu fuecu.**
A woman's silhouette on the golden sea at sunset reminds me of the memory of a hot summer that I eagerly await every year. I am the southerner without a dream in my pocket. What can they know up there? They think they know what I feel, but they run too much and judge wrongly. This southerner dies without singing the songs he would always hear by the sea. I live the time beyond all prices and I will leave a mark. When it's time to celebrate, I make it always 31 and 31, and when my home burns down, you know I lit the fire.
Lento, ho il mio tempo faccio solo quello che io sento.
Contributed by Grace G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.