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"Il Mio Canto Libero", released in 1972, is Battisti's fifth album and represents the peak of the first period of his career. In fact, as was already evident with the previous "Amore e Non Amore", the singer from Poggio Bustone had begun experimenting with new sounds, which would lead him to compose very experimental and challenging albums. In this album, Battisti demonstrates that he has matured musically and, compared to "Emozioni", he composes melodies that are immediate yet very elaborate, supported by no less than 19 musicians, plus an entire orchestra.
The 8 songs on this album have entered the history of Italian pop music, thanks to their freshness, starting with the first track, the mini-suite "La luce dell'est". Introduced by the orchestra, the song is supported by the guitar arpeggios and Lucio's voice, with other instruments joining in turn, eventually leading to a very catchy and poetic chorus ("A te che sei il mio presente a te la mia mente/ e come uccelli leggeri fuggon tutti i miei pensieri/ per lasciar solo posto al tuo viso/ che come un sole rosso acceso arde per me/"). Some believe Mogol's lyrics contain many metaphors for Eastern Europe, but I don't quite see it... This is followed by the whimsical "Luci-Ah" with cheerful music that reminds of village festivals and an amusing text about a girl who gets up to all sorts of mischief (listen to believe it). The third song is "L'Aquila", played almost entirely with an acoustic guitar, where a man dissatisfied with his woman's love longs to become like an eagle, free to soar in the sky in search of happiness. "Vento nel vento" is another love song, introduced by a piano and featuring an organ that creates a solemn atmosphere before the strings arrive. Another whimsical piece is "Confusione", in which Lucio plays with his voice. This is followed by the masterpiece "Io vorrei... non vorrei... ma se vuoi" in which Lucio thanks his woman for helping him out of the depression caused by another love affair. The chorus is very famous ("Come può uno scoglio arginare il mare...") and the music perfectly complements the mood generated by the lyrics. "Gente per bene e gente per male" presents a conversation between Lucio and some girls. Even though the general atmosphere is cheerful, the song is a true anthem to freedom and a rebellion against the flattening of modern society that marginalizes those who do not "sing" in the choir; in fact, the outsider finds solace in a "distinguished lady," much more deserving than the snobbish group. The last track is the very famous title track, in my opinion, the best song ever written by Battisti, and one of his most famous. A love song dedicated to the woman loved by Lucio, but also to the world and nature in all its forms. The final part is stunning, with trumpets and an almost gospel-like choir that belts out the beautiful chorus: "In un mondo che prigioniero è/ respiriamo liberi io e te/ e la verità si offre nuda a noi/ e limpida è l'immagine ormai/".
Thank you again, Lucio!!!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Luci-ah (04:47)
Stell' dein Motorrad doch bitte 'mal leiser, das f�nd ich sch�n
wenn's nicht so laut ist, dann kannst du mich n�mlich besser verstehn
was h�ltst du davon, wenn wir beide jetzt 'mal einen trinken gehn
oder willst du nach gestern nacht noch keinen Alkohol wiedersehn.
Seit du neulich nachts den Polizeiwogen ganz bunt angemalt hast
seit ich geh�rt hob' was du f�r ein M�dchen bist und was du machst
ja, nach jeder verr�ckten Aktion hott' ich mehr Sympathien f�r dich
komm, erz�hle mir von deinen Pl�nen, das ist so erfrischend f�r mich
Luci-ah, darum hab' ich dich so gern
Luci-ah, darum hab' ich dich so gern.
Zeig' 'mal, wie hast du denn neulich dem Priester in die Augen geschaut
er wurde ganz rot, jeder konnte es sehn und dann lachtest du Iaut
und was hast du denn an deiner Schule mit einigen Lehrern gemacht
die �rmsten, die haben ihr ganzes Gehalt zum Psychiater gebracht
ja wei�t du, was ich auch stark fand, das wer dieses Ding mit der Schnapsbrennerei
ganz heimlich im Keller, alle trafen sich da zu einer Feierei
Luci-ah, darum hab' ich dich so gern
Luci-ah, darum hab' ich dich so gern.
Sowos Grondioses wie dich hab' ich wirklich noch niemals gesehn
weil du so bezaubernd verr�ckt bist, m�cht' ich so gern mit dir gehn.
05 Confusione (04:30)
Tu lo chiami solo un vecchio sporco imbroglio
ma è uno sbaglio è petrolio
troppo furbo per non essere sincero
ma è davvero oro nero
Io perché non dovrei dirti tutto quello che sento nel cuore
Io perché non dovrei parlarti di tutto anche di un nuovo mio amore
sei o non sei sei o non sei al di sopra di ogni mia grande passione
Confusione
confusione mi dispiace
se sei figlia della solita illusione
e se fai confusione
confusione
tu vorresti imbalsamare anche l'ultima e più piccola emozione
Se tu credi che il carbone bruci meglio
è un abbaglio è petrolio
Comunque se ami più del fuoco il fumo di un cero
non usare l'oro nero
Ma perché non dovrei liberare qualunque sentimento per chiunque sia
tanto sai io non ti sentirò certamente per questo meno mia
Ma chi mai disse che si deve amar come se stessi il prossimo con moderazione
Confusione
confusione mi dispiace
se sei figlia della solita illusione e se fai confusione
confusione
tu vorresti imbalsamare anche l'ultima e più piccola emozione
Confusione confusione
E non dir che antico privilegio d'uomo per mia comodità faccio mio
perché tu comunque libera saresti se libera vuoi essere come sono io
Credi che ma credi che qualcuno possa darti amore se dell'amore suo non è padrone
Confusione
confusione mi dispiace
se sei figlia della solita illusione e se fai confusione
confusione
tu vorresti imbalsamare anche l'ultima e più piccola emozione
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Other reviews
By Eneathedevil
"Il mio canto libero" is a milestone in Battisti's production and a turning point in modern Italian song.
It’s the definitive turning point of Italian pop music, redefining the role of singer and songwriter to talk about feelings, not gossip.
By death immortal
Through 'Il mio canto libero' Battisti presents us with the issue of love in almost all the songs.
Battisti is attracted to the desire for a death that doesn’t kill him, but rather allows him to live every moment of life with love and simplicity.
By Cristianpiga
Lucio Battisti at the peak of his career.
A must-have.
