Il Genio - "Del lei" - Balla coi Cinghiali 2011

Live at 'Balla coi Cinghiali', Bardineto (SV), Italy, 18 August 2011

Riprese: Massimo Marchelli

Alessandra Contini, vocals and bass
Gianluca De Rubertis, keyboards
Paolo Mongardi, drums

"Vivere negli anni 'X" is their second album, which followed their successful debut cd "Il Genio", which contains "Pop Porno" and "Non è possibile" ("It's not possible") among the other hits.
Gianluca has a notable classical musical preparation, as well as Alessandra who adds the skills of a particularly expressive voice, that kind of expression you can describe ad simplicity together with expressive strenght. I find this a direct way of singing. What impress me more is the sincerity I feel in her voice. A pretty girl into the bargain.


Here are the lyrics, followed by an approximate english translation:

(The italian for "to be not on first-name terms with someone" is "darsi del lei", but "lei" also means "her" or "she". The italian for "to be on first terms with someone" is "dare del tu", but "tu" also means "you". So it is not simple to translate this song, because of a lot of play on words and my not very good knowledge of english. Italian can introduce "me", "we", "us" and so on always playing on words and referring to "(not) on first-name terms" as true persons in flash and bones).

Del lei

Se mi dai del tu tutto è più facile
mi sai di semplice lei chi è
no non ce l'ho con te
tu lei noi
ma chi sia lei e tu chi sei
ti do di lei un pò di me
ma che confidenza
parlarti senza lei

Ora mi dai del tu
ma di te che cosa vuoi
darmi lei ma perchè mai
non mi fare troppo facile

Sai che è facile lei com'è docile
quello che dici tu, tu per me
non sei di lei dì te cosa so
ma è come conoscerti
dammi un tanto del tuo tu
ma che conoscenza
e adesso ancora lei

Non ti conosco più
ma di me che cosa sai
lei è un bel dire tra di noi
tutto questo è già difficile
E adesso ancora lei
lei chi è non sei più tu
tu lo sai non dico a lei
io da lei non so che evincere.



Not On First-Name Terms

If you'll be on first-name terms with me everything becomes easier
You look easy who is she (=not on first-name terms)
No I haven't it in for you
you her us
but who is she (=not on first-name terms) and who is you (=on first-name terms)
Of her (=not to be on first-name terms) I give you something of me
but what a confidence
speaking to you without her (=without "not on first-name terms")

Now you are on first-name terms with me
But what do you want of you
but why not to be on first-name terms (=giving me her)
don't think me too simple

You know it's simple she's so mild
what you say, you (=to be on first-name terms) for me
you are not hers (=not to be on first-name terms) tell me what I know
but it's just like knowing you
give me something of your you
but what knowledge
and now still her (=not to be on first-name terms)

I cant' recognise you
But what do you know about me
she (=not to be on first-name terms) is between us
All of this is already difficult
and know she (=not to be on first-name terms) again
Who is she (=not to be on first-name terms) you are no longer you (=to be on first-name terms)
you know it I don't tell her (=not to be on first-name terms)
I don't know what to deduce from her (=not to be on first-name terms)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Del
• Lei
• Il
• Genio