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."
Sartana
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Questo mondo è pieno di parole
Vagano da sole e cercano la musica
Lo diceva un vecchio cantastorie
Che cantava per il suo bicchiere
Ogni pomeriggio sotto casa mia
Canticchiava di una donna che amò
Sabotò i suoi figli e non tornò mai più
E lui perse la voglia di tornarsene a casa
Scese in strada cantando la vita
La gente che spera
Per dare un momento di felicità
Basta,se questa è la vita
Insieme al bicchiere aspetto la notte
Non mi tradirà..
Dimmi ancora cosa vuoi sapere
Questo mondo è pieno di parole
Vagano da sole e cercano la musica
Questo mondo ormai deve gridare
Altrimenti non si fa capire
Meglio sussurrare al vento una poesia
Canterò alla gente intorno a me
Per chi cerca ancora la tranquillità
Per chi si è venduto e non comprerà più
Perchè ha perso la voglia di tornarsene a casa
Vive in strada,sfidando la notte
Insieme a chi spera
Per dare un momento di felicità
Basta se questa è la vita
Io con la chitarra,giro per la terra
Non mi tradirà..
Dimmi ancora cosa vuoi sapere
Questo mondo è pieno di parole
Vagano da sole e cercano la musica
Il destino non dovrai sfidare,no!!
Meglio dedicargli una canzone
Forse anche lui vuole un po' di compagnia
(Grazie a Marco per questo testo)
The opening phrase of Sud Sound System's "Sartana" asks "Dimmi ancora cosa vuoi sapere" or "Tell me again what you want to know." The song is a reflection on the power of music and the importance of storytelling. The singer is influenced by an old storyteller who would sing and play for his own enjoyment. The song the storyteller sings is about a woman who stole the singer's happiness and disappeared, leaving the singer to lose his desire to return home.
The singer chooses to sing about the pain and suffering that people live through every day. He hopes to give some sense of joy to those who are facing tough times. The song is an acknowledgment of the power of music and its ability to convey emotions and messages that might be difficult to articulate. The singer recognizes that the world is full of words that can become meaningless, but words put to music have the ability to evoke emotions and to connect people to one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Dimmi ancora cosa vuoi sapere
The world is full of words that wander alone and search for music. This was said by an old storyteller who used to sing for his glass every afternoon under my house.
Questo mondo è pieno di parole
He sang of a woman he loved who stole his happiness one day. She sabotaged his children and never came back, and he lost the desire to return home. He went down the street singing about life and people hoping to give them a moment of happiness. When life is like this, all he has left is waiting for the night with his glass.
Vagano da sole e cercano la musica
This world now needs to shout, otherwise it won't be understood. It's better to whisper a poem to the wind. He will sing to the people around him, for those who still seek tranquility, who have sold themselves and won't buy themselves back because they have lost the desire to return home. They live on the streets, defying the night, together with those who hope to give a moment of happiness. When life is like this, all he has left is his guitar to travel the world with, and it won't betray him.
Questo mondo ormai deve gridare
Destiny should not be challenged, it's better to dedicate a song to it. Maybe even destiny wants some company.
Contributed by Noah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.