Alessandro Errico
Il mondo dentro me

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea grandissima culpa... We all have skeletons in the closet... Maybe mine is bigger...

In the school year 1995/1996 I was thirteen years old and in the eighth grade. My deskmate was named Elisa; she was not so pretty, but I don't know why I was fascinated by her. At that time, I was very envious of Paolo, my longtime friend, who, thanks to his good financial situation, was always more technologically equipped. Tired of my stereo with a double tape deck and turntable, after months of saving money, I managed to buy myself a compact mini-stereo for the "modest" sum of 350,000 lire. Finally, I also had a CD player! But there was a little problem, I didn't have CDs! And I especially didn't have money to buy them! Then the valiant Paolo, in an unusual attack of generosity, provided the loan of Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" and Bryan Adams' "So Far So Good."

Just at that time, a sort of yellow pages for kids was being distributed at school, and in the center page were some discount coupons. One was from Standa, so I finally found a way to have a CD of my own! Ready, set, go, I headed toward the big S, accompanied by my mom. The choice was tough... In the end, the indecision was between Vasco's "Nessun Pericolo Per Te" and Alessandro Errico's first album, "Il Mondo Dentro Me."

This illustrious artist was none other than one of the young protagonists of a new Channel 5 show presented by an unattractive woman named Maria De Filippi. This Saturday afternoon show discussed the problems of young people and was very popular with Elisa, my deskmate. But above all, Elisa liked the handsome Alessandro, a singer and a constant presence in the audience of the great television debate. Hence, the unfortunate purchase.

At the time, I listened to the CD and enjoyed it a lot, but now I honestly feel embarrassed about it. The young man offered melodic pop-rock in the style of Masini and attracted many young girls with his good looks. Naturally, I sold the CD years ago, but today I downloaded it because I realized that even in its vast mediocrity, it stands at least a notch above some of today's commercial products, like Meneguzzi-Di Risio.

Therefore, I will suggest my sister to listen to it.

P.S. At the end of the year, I discovered that Elisa was in love with me, but by then it was too late; we drifted apart forever.