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."
Me Piaci Mare
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me piace tutta g'energia ca sprigiona
Sacciu ca se nu lu rispetti nu perdona
Ma ci vive de mare sempre lu ama
RIT
Oh ce me piaci mare
Inchime la capu de sale
De storie lontanee
A mille cose belle famme speraree
Oh ce me piaci mare
(oh ce me piaci)
Damme mprima chu culure
Perce aggiu colorare
Culuri grigi ca me fanno mpaccire...
Egnu sempre quai
Specie quandu cha le strade cede raggia
Insegname tie
Ge parole ca me dannu tanta calma
Ogghiu sentu chu rusciu ca me facie capire
Pe mie ede lu maestru ca me mpara a cantar
Ma ci essimu denanzi a tie ma ci nu capisce
Lancia sogni comu barche
Ma nu te canusce
RIT
Me libera deli pensieri
Quannu me spogliu me futtu a mare
L'acqua ca me avvolge me dae na sensazione totale
De libertà e de enrgia ca me face sentire
Ca è forte e ranne
E ca ede come a n'essere vitale
Ca se ausa se bascia,se stizza,se calma,
Ca tene na vita continua
De giurnu se cangia culure
E de notte face cu balla la luna
Capace cu rida,cu fuce,cu dorme,cu rusce comu se sona..
Musica comu mare
Musica comu sule
Me piace lu riflesu ca emana
Me piace tutta g'energia ca sprigiona
Sacciu ca se nu lu rispetti nu perdona
Ma ci vive de mare sempre lu ama
Egnu sempre quai
Specie quandu cha le strade cede raggia
Insegname tie
Ge parole ca me dannu tanta calma
(la sai perceneee)
Ogghiu sentu ng'ardore de mare
Ca me dae piacere
Me inche de sale
Ogghiu bisciu la luce dellu sule
Ca se specchia gia subbra e me dae nu bagliore
Ogghiu sentu lu mare ca rusce
Ca su n'onda veloce me porta e me nuce
Te descrivo che tonalità
De na sciurnata de mare
Ca pe tutti sai ca ede fonte vitale
Settatu nanti a iddhru me mintu a meditare
Me rilassu cu le storie de nu vekkiu pescatore
Ca ntra lu mare troa lu bene comu lu male
Oh ce me piaci mare
(oh ce me piaci)
Inchime la capu de sale
Cuntame de storie lontanee
A mille cose belle famme sperare
Oh ce me piaci mare
(oh ce me piaci)
Damme mprima chu culure
Perce aggiu colorare
Culuri grigi ca me fanno mpaccire...
(Grazie a debby per questo testo)
The song Me Piaci Mare by Sud Sound System is a tribute to the sea and all of its energy and beauty. The lyrics express a deep love and admiration for the sea, its colors, its sounds, and its ability to provide a sense of freedom and escape from the stresses of daily life. The opening lines express this admiration and suggest that if one does not respect the sea, then they will be punished, but those who love it will always be welcomed.
The chorus is a declaration of love for the sea, with the singer exclaiming "Oh, I love you sea!" It speaks of the calming effects that the sea has on the singer, and how it inspires hope and a sense of peace. The lyrics describe the sea as a source of life and energy, one that is constantly changing and evolving, with different colors and moods depending on the time of day and the weather conditions.
The final verses of the song speak of the ways in which the sea can bring people together, through the sharing of stories and experiences. The song celebrates the sea as a unifying force, one that can connect people from all backgrounds and cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Me piace lu riflesu ca emana
I like the reflection that emanates
Me piace tutta g'energia ca sprigiona
I like all the energy that it releases
Sacciu ca se nu lu rispetti nu perdona
I know that if you don't respect it, it won't forgive you
Ma ci vive de mare sempre lu ama
But whoever lives by the sea always loves it
Oh ce me piaci mare
Oh how I like you, sea
Inchime la capu de sale
The head full of salt (water)
(de sule de sale de sule de sale)
(of sun and salt of sun and salt)
De storie lontanee
Of faraway stories
A mille cose belle famme speraree
They make me hope for a thousand beautiful things
Damme mprima chu culure
Give me first some colors
Perce aggiu colorare
So that I have something to color
Culuri grigi ca me fanno mpaccire...
Gray colors that make me sad
Egnu sempre quai
It's always there
Specie quandu cha le strade cede raggia
Especially when life gets tough
Insegname tie
You teach me
Ge parole ca me dannu tanta calma
Words that give me so much calm
Ogghiu sentu chu rusciu ca me facie capire
Today I hear the rush that makes me understand
Pe mie ede lu maestru ca me mpara a cantar
For me, it is the master that teaches me to sing
Ma ci essimu denanzi a tie ma ci nu capisce
But we are in front of you and we don't understand
Lancia sogni comu barche
It launches dreams like boats
Ma nu te canusce
But they don't know you
Me libera deli pensieri
It frees me from my thoughts
Quannu me spogliu me futtu a mare
When I undress, I run to the sea
L'acqua ca me avvolge me dae na sensazione totale
The water that surrounds me gives me a total sensation
De libertà e de enrgia ca me face sentire
Of freedom and energy that it makes me feel
Ca è forte e ranne
That is strong and gentle
E ca ede come a n'essere vitale
And it's like a vital being
Ca se ausa se bascia,se stizza,se calma,
That gets angry, kisses, and calms down
Ca tene na vita continua
That has a continuous life
De giurnu se cangia culure
That changes color during the day
E de notte face cu balla la luna
And at night it dances with the moon
Capace cu rida,cu fuce,cu dorme,cu rusce comu se sona..
Able to laugh, shine, sleep, and murmuring like a dream
Musica comu mare
Music like the sea
Musica comu sule
Music like the sun
Ogghiu sentu ng'ardore de mare
Today I feel the passion of the sea
Ca me dae piacere
That gives me pleasure
Me inche de sale
I am full of salt
Ogghiu bisciu la luce dellu sule
Today I contemplate the light of the sun
Ca se specchia gia subbra e me dae nu bagliore
That already reflects on me and gives me a glow
Ogghiu sentu lu mare ca rusce
Today I feel the sea murmuring
Ca su n'onda veloce me porta e me nuce
That on a fast wave carries me and lulls me
Te descrivo che tonalità
I describe to you what color tone
De na sciurnata de mare
Of a day at the sea
Ca pe tutti sai ca ede fonte vitale
That you know is a vital source for everyone
Settatu nanti a iddhru me mintu a meditare
Sat in front of it, I thought and meditated
Me rilassu cu le storie de nu vekkiu pescatore
I relax with the stories of an old fisherman
Ca ntra lu mare troa lu bene comu lu male
That within the sea finds good as well as bad
Contributed by Kaylee W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.