He has published one book (Non si muore tutte le mattine) and seven records, the last one being Da solo, released Friday October 17th, 2008.
His musical style is heavily influenced by Tom Waits and Paolo Conte.
Resto qua
Vinicio Capossela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E la miseria sa cosè l'amor
Natale è già passato
E non sono ritornato
Lambrette e motorette
Spernacchiano l'oscurità
Ecco qua
La luna sul tuo volto
La luce sul mio nome
Scrosciano gli applausi
La pioggia li riporta qua
Ecco qua
E lo Smeraldo splende sempre
Anche per noi
Sugli ombrelli e sui cappelli in fila
Sull'atrio e sui gemelli
Il sipario resta
E non ci sei tu
E non ci sono io
Resto qua
Mi abbagliano le macchine e i fanali
Tre milioni d'anime
Non ne fanno una
E quella che ora manca era la mia
Ecco qua
E le finestre cambiano i padroni
Passano le macchine a milioni
E i miei calzoni
Adesso stanno in piedi anche da soli
Resto qua
Se non hai dato tutto non hai dato ancor
La lama taglia sempre dov'è fine
Dov'è fine è il cuore
Conosco la mia strada
E la strada riconosce me
Ecco qua
Regala perle il vento
E ne regalo anch' io
La luna sul tuo volto
La luce sul mio nome
Il sipario resta
Io me ne vado via
In Vinicio Capossela's song "Resto qua," the lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a place where nothing seems to be happening, but at the same time, everything is changing. The first stanza suggests a feeling of being left behind while others move forward, as the singer has not returned from Christmas while others are out riding their scooters and motorcycles in the darkness. The next stanza seems to describe the end of a performance or event, with applause and rain bringing people back to reality, but the singer notices that someone or something is missing - perhaps a loved one or a sense of fulfillment. In the third stanza, the singer reflects on the passage of time and the changes that happen without his control, ending with a sense of determination to stay and make things right.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing and frustration with the present moment, but also a grounding sense of self-awareness and resilience. The reference to the Smeraldo (emerald) suggests something valuable and enduring, which contrasts with the transient nature of the vehicles and people passing by. The repetition of "resto qua" (I stay here) highlights the singer's determination to stay and face whatever challenges come his way, rather than running away or giving up.
Overall, the lyrics of "Resto qua" suggest a complex mix of emotions and experiences, capturing the feeling of being at a crossroads in life and facing uncertainty with courage and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Resto qua
I choose to stay here.
E la miseria sa cosè l'amor
Even poverty knows what love is.
Natale è già passato
Christmas has already passed.
E non sono ritornato
And I didn't come back.
Lambrette e motorette
Scooters and mopeds.
Spernacchiano l'oscurità
Revving through the darkness.
Finito lo spettacolo e il miracolo
The show and miracle are over.
La luna sul tuo volto
The moon on your face.
La luce sul mio nome
The light on my name.
Scrosciano gli applausi
Applause thunder.
La pioggia li riporta qua
The rain brings them back here.
E lo Smeraldo splende sempre
And the emerald always shines.
Anche per noi
Even for us.
Sugli ombrelli e sui cappelli in fila
On umbrellas and hats in line.
Sull'atrio e sui gemelli
On the atrium and the twins.
Il sipario resta
The curtain remains.
E non ci sei tu
And you're not here.
E non ci sono io
And I'm not here either.
Mi abbagliano le macchine e i fanali
The cars and headlights blind me.
Tre milioni d'anime
Three million souls.
Non ne fanno una
They don't make one whole.
E quella che ora manca era la mia
And the one that's missing was mine.
E le finestre cambiano i padroni
And the windows change owners.
Passano le macchine a milioni
Millions of cars pass by.
E i miei calzoni
And my pants.
Adesso stanno in piedi anche da soli
They can stand on their own now.
Se non hai dato tutto non hai dato ancor
If you haven't given everything, you haven't given enough.
La lama taglia sempre dov'è fine
The blade always cuts at the end.
Dov'è fine è il cuore
Where the end is, there is the heart.
Conosco la mia strada
I know my way.
E la strada riconosce me
And the road recognizes me.
Regala perle il vento
The wind gives pearls.
E ne regalo anch' io
And I give them too.
Io me ne vado via
I'm leaving.
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.