His real name is Antonio de la Cuesta and he started playing music in the 80's, when he participated in three different punk bands: Cagando Duro (The Hard Shit), Tijuana in Blue and Kojon Prieto y Los Huajolotes. The last one quickly became famous all over Spain, as they were playing covers of artists such as Al Bano and Raffaella Carra. Through one of their fantastic live appearances they drew the attention of Manu Chao, former leader of Mano Negra.
A few years later, in 2000, he would be the producer in Carotone's first solo album: “E Un Mondo Difficile”. The name that he now uses is a paraphrase of the Italian Carosone, in honour of an eminent Italian singer of the 50's, Renato Carosone (his big hit is “Tu Vuò Fà L'americano”).
His music combines punk with elements from Spanish, Italian, French, even Mexican popular music. It resembles the band Negresses Vertes and the solo works of Manu Chao, while a lot of critics are placing his music somewhere between Adriano Celentano and Tom Waits. The lyrics of his songs are often amusing, ironic or even surreal.
El Provinciano
Tonino Carotone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pa pa pa pa pa pa, pa ra ra ra...
Pa pa pa pa pa pa, pa ra ra ra...
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Viene de provincias (la wea más rara) a la capital,
En la discoteca le dejan entrar,
No monta jaleo para no cobrar.
Hay muchas chabalas de todos los colores,
Es como en el campo cuando salen toas las flores.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Como hay tanta gente va disimulao,
Si tiene dinero, va por cualquier lado.
No tiene verguenza de ser provinciano,
Con tanto moderno y tanto marciano.
Lejos de su gente y de su familia,
Se pone contento cuando viene algún paisano.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Vengo de provincias a la capital,
Y aunque soy de pueblo tampoco me va mal.
Me meto en el metro, voy pal otro lado,
No se si son ellos, o yo que estoy colgao.
Siento que me miran todo controlao,
Pero la cartera ya me la han robado.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Le vienen los listos, del timo las estampita,
Para que haga el primo y se queden con la guita.
No tiene verguenza de ser provinciano,
Con tanto moderno y tanto marciano.
Lejos de su gente y de su familia,
Se pone contento cuando viene algún paisano.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano.
Vengo de provincias a la capital,
Y aunque soy de pueblo tampoco me va mal.
The song El Provinciano by Tonino Carotone speaks about the experience of someone from the provinces coming to the capital city. The lyrics reflect the way people from rural areas might feel when they come to a big city - excited and intimidated but also trying to adapt to the new environment. The song starts with "A la puta calle" which can be translated as "to the damn street". This phrase could reflect the tough environment of urban life and the struggles that people face when they come to live in the city. The repetition of the phrase "Mariano, Mariano, Mariaaano" throughout the song could represent the identity crisis that people experience when they move to a new place. The repetition of his name could be seen as an attempt to hold on to his identity and also find a sense of belonging in the new place.
The verses reflect the way that Mariano tries to fit into the new environment, going to the discoteca and trying to blend in with the locals. He is accepting of his provincial identity but also aware that he needs to adapt to the new surroundings. The song also touches on some of the struggles that people face when they move to the city, like feeling intimidated by the amount of people or even getting robbed on the metro.
In summary, the song El Provinciano by Tonino Carotone is a reflection of the experience of people from the provinces coming to live in the city. The song is an ode to the struggle of adapting to a new environment and the challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
A la puta calle...
He's going out into the streets...
Pa pa pa pa pa pa, pa ra ra ra...
Nonsensical sounds to create rhythm...
Mariano, mariano, mariaaano
Name repetition to capture attention...
Viene de provincias (la wea más rara) a la capital,
He comes from the province to the big city, which is a weird thing...
Y aunque él es de pueblo tampoco le va mal.
Even though he's from a small town, he's doing well...
En la discoteca le dejan entrar,
He's allowed to enter the disco...
No monta jaleo para no cobrar.
He doesn't make a scene to avoid paying...
Hay muchas chabalas de todos los colores,
There are many girls of every color...
Es como en el campo cuando salen toas las flores.
It's like when all the flowers bloom in the countryside...
Como hay tanta gente va disimulao,
Because there are so many people, he goes unnoticed...
Si tiene dinero, va por cualquier lado.
If he has money, he goes anywhere...
No tiene verguenza de ser provinciano,
He's not ashamed of being from the province...
Con tanto moderno y tanto marciano.
With so many trendy and foreign people...
Lejos de su gente y de su familia,
Far from his people and his family...
Se pone contento cuando viene algún paisano.
He's happy when a fellow provincial visits...
Me meto en el metro, voy pal otro lado,
He gets on the subway and goes to the other side...
No se si son ellos, o yo que estoy colgao.
He's unsure if it's them or if he's losing it...
Siento que me miran todo controlao,
He feels like they're watching him closely...
Pero la cartera ya me la han robado.
But they have already stolen his wallet...
Le vienen los listos, del timo las estampita,
The scam artists come to him with card tricks...
Para que haga el primo y se queden con la guita.
Trying to fool him and keep his money...
Vengo de provincias a la capital,
I come from the province to the big city...
Y aunque soy de pueblo tampoco me va mal.
And even though I'm from a small town, I'm doing well...
Writer(s): antonio de la cuesta
Contributed by Sebastian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.