Fabrizio De André‘s lyrics are like poetry.
He’s in school books, and he uses rhetorical figures and stirs emotions.
But what’s really interesting is that, even though he doesn’t always make his meaning clear right away, he never says what he’s really thinking.
He also often talks about social issues in his poems.
He often wrote about people who were left out, people who were suicidal, drug addicts, and marginalized folks in general.
More than 20 years after his death on January 11, 1999 (another interesting numerology…), what’s remained of his poetic sentiments in today’s society ?
Not really.
The Embers of a Single Star : Freedom.
The culture has really taken a nosedive.
People are just focused on themselves and scared.
Society has really marginalised the disadvantaged.
There are more and more desperate people, and they’re feeling more and more hopeless.
De André’s unique style brings a touch of beauty, humanity, and truth to the subject of death.
Even after all these years, he’s still offering a message of social redemption.
He had a tough road ahead of him, both in his career and personal life.
Whether it’s in “Bocca di Rosa“, “Sally“, “Prinçesa“, the characters in “La città vecchia“, the alienated clerk in “Dolcenera“, or the Christ in “La buona novella“, love is the only thing that matters.
Even if they’re not perfect, they’re still human and have their flaws.
They’re all just kids of this world.
In many cases, they’re even victims.
Today, we’re seeing a direct attack on the most humble and disadvantaged classes.
And unfortunately, this isn’t some made-up story — it’s real life.
It’s a horrible situation.
We can’t and we won’t tolerate it.
Here’s another quote from the great De André :
“Dai diamanti non nasce niente, dal letame nascono i fior”.
I’m not going to deal with all these bad guys who are destroying our world by using force.
I’m not owned by any government on this planet.
I’m not about to let these psychopaths destroy my life.
I’ve never asked anyone for anything.
I’ve never sold my soul, and I’ve never asked anyone for anything.
I’m down to give up everything.
But I’ll never give up my freedom.
Being myself is my true freedom.
I’m always being myself, showing the world who I really am.
