Be drunk with Love, for Love is all that exists.
Where is intimacy found if not in the give and take of Love.
~Rumi
Countless love songs speak of the wonder and the pain of love. Many more will be written whose pouring of emotion will only cease when we will be no more; or if we continue at the rate we’re going until we wipe each other out.
Having the love of the love of our life gives us a high like no other. Yet, falling in love and being in love are a universe apart despite the interlinking of their infinitely sacred and profane complexities. As for staying in love, it takes hard work to contain, let alone beat the corrosive tentacles of everyday concerns and chores mired in our very own flawed beings, idiosyncratic traits, and comforting habits. I will not even hint at the toll of totally unexpected life-changing experiences because, despite their horror, I still want to sing about how fabulous it is to grow in togetherness.
Yet why is it so hard for lovers to communicate their intimacy for each other? More so in a wired world of increasing disconnect.
Both a burst and a glow of iridescent physical, emotional, mental and soulful closeness, lovers’ intimacy is the oldest incomparable rhapsody. Which is why the power of music and song come close in capturing its essence in so many different, haunting strains. It is easy to hear in ballads melting out of incredible voices or the heart’s cry in the likes of Bon Jovi’s rocking ‘Bed of Roses’. There is indeed a never-ending count of songs from all over the world through the musical timbre of the Italian language or the mellifluous sound of Spanish gives their singers an edge.
Curiously, what has got me writing about lovers’ intimacy is no typical heart-wrenching song reverberating torrential passion; but one whose title conjures not a flicker of romance. On first hearing, it even makes you wonder whether the whistling bits dumb it down. I can even imagine many saying that is unlikely to be remembered as one of the most beautiful love songs ever. I am referring to Francesco Gabbani’s minted ‘Viceversa,’ the song with which he clinched second place in this year’s 25-hour Sanremo marathon which came to a close last Saturday.
For the record, Gabbani – who uncannily resembles Domenico Modugno of ‘Volare’ fame, is the Italian songwriter who three years ago lifted the trophy at the same festival with a song which showcased his irresistible charisma and extraordinarily clever exuberance only a year after he won the Newcomers Section at Sanremo itself. The expectation to score a hattrick was high among his adoring fans and he almost did with a totally different type of song. This manifests his artistic integrity to venture down new avenues while putting himself to the test in the most public of ways.
Significantly, the guitar- piano- bass- drums playing Gabbani is not a product of any talent show which I believe gives him his raw authenticity. Having inherited the passion from his parents who still run the only music shop in Carrara, (his father used to play in a local band while his younger brother is a musician too) Gabbani has been honing his music for a good number of years. Anyone who follows his compositions is familiar with his remarkable richness.
For anyone unfamiliar with Sanremo, it is Italy’s ‘holy of holies’ musical festival which grinds the nation to a halt for five days followed by days of nationwide debate. This year’s 70th edition broke all market share records and annihilated all other news headlines in the press.
It has turned out to be a sort of Gabbani week for me since his three-year-old triumphant blast of a song – ‘Occidentalis’ Karma’ – somehow flowed through an article I have just written about artificiality, Having to Be.
Where all begin and end these trysts….
…..There Enigma of love exists …….
Noemi, love is perhaps the most complicated subjects to write about. To write about is to understand which obviously you do quite well. When it comes to finding different works (be they songs, plays, or novels) I marvel at your ability. Thank you again for your article about love. I hope in your life you know nothing but love.
Love is certainly the most complicated subject to write about and its complexity is truly infinite. I do believe that although each and everyone one of us cannot come close to fully understanding its power, we should all do our best to live it by giving it without expectation. This is very hard indeed and yet the impact can be beyond wonderful. Joel, I too wish you a life full of love. A heartfelt thanks for your time and appreciation
Che bell’articolo e quanta freschezza, “nonostante” il tuo scavare e carpire ogni più piccolo particolare ed esprimerlo… E aggiungo che ogni volta mi colpisce l’approccio e lo svolgimento di ogni tuo lavoro… Che arriva sempre… Grazie Noemi.
Apprezzo molto Gabbani per tutte le sue sfaccettature artistiche e questo suo ultimo brano apre, se vogliamo, ancora una nuova finestra sull’amore.
Ho da sempre pensato che la musica è comunque la “colonna sonora” della nostra vita. Non per relegarla a essere semplicemente una colonna sonora (senza nulla togliere al ruolo importante che questa ha) perché come tale evidenzia i momenti più eclatanti della nostra vita…
Io credo sia molto di più… per me la musica è nel silenzio di noi stessi… e riverbera nell’ambiente… tutto intorno a noi… Chiudendo questa parentesi vorrei solo dire che ciò che hai citato “Avere amore per l’amore della nostra vita” racchiude qui tutto …
Amare comporta anche il rischio che chi amiamo possa sfruttare a proprio vantaggio le nostre debolezze/insicurezze… metterci in una posizione di svantaggio…
…o meglio la completa nuda naturalezza per poter comunicare reciprocamente le proprie intimità… Naturalezza anche intesa come vivere liberi da quello che è il pensiero di come gli altri ci possano recepire, da chi amiamo… da noi stessi…
è la meravigliosa bellezza dell’amore!
Grazie cara Noemi
Claudio
Caro Claudio non ho parole per dirti grazie con tutto il mio cuore. Le tue riflessioni sono sempre talmente bellissime e sincere che creano una profonda richezza.
Grazie Noemi , sei veramente brava , uno scritto raffinato , intelligente che si fa respirare !
Anche a me è piaciuto tantissimo Gabbani stupendo il ” viceversa ” significativo !
Ciao Fulvio Taccini .
Grazie di cuore Fulvio. Il merito e’ tutto di Gabbane perche’ e’ un artista completo, autentico e chi non asseconda le mode – davvero unico. Grazie di nuovo.
Grazie con tutto il mio cuore Fulvio. Ma tutto e’ merito di Gabbani perche’ e’ un artista completo – autentico e che non asseconda le mode. Grazie di nuovo.
This is so lovely Noemi! Thank you for this richly worded article with so many Scrumptious visions! Happy Feiday
So glad, Paula, that Gabbani made you feel soul’s light. Thank you for your time and appreciation.
Thank you, dear Noemi, for another great article of yours !
This time , the subject is : Love, the most difficult and arduous theme to talk about and , yet, so much discussed , dissected and popular theme . Today, it’s even Saint Valentine day and , yes, love is in the air …
However, it’s not easy to define Love and Gabbani’s suggestion, in a very simple formula, with the magical word “viceversa “ , tells it all and we can only applaud at the genius of the Italian singer .
I am totally with you Manuela. The word ‘ love’ has been bandied about so much that it has often lost its significance. The magic of Gabbani’s ‘Viceversa’ shows us how we can give back its true meaning. Thank you, Manuela, for your appreciation and may your air be full of love.
Noemi , love the inspiration for poets, the inspiration to be with someone forever. The most joyous pain we will ever know. It endures, changes and grows new during our Lifetime. Great article.
Great response. Thank you, Larry.
As I always say from experience, love is when you put your other half’s emotional needs before yours during a tragedy. It is then that you realise that to be happy yourself is to ensure that your other half is happy.
Oh yes the ultimate test of love is when tragedy hits not when all is smiles and roses. Thank you for your time and appreciation.
This article is really deep and wonderful. Thanks dearest Noemi 💜
A heartfelt thank you, Laura. Gabbani certainly makes Italy proud and seeing the affection people have for him shows that there are many sensitive and loving people around despite the cruel world we live in.
This is a great piece Noemi. Love is the essence of life. I know that both you and I love this exceptional singer and with reason too. He is so deep in everything he writes, his songs are not easy to sing along to but he conveys his feelings so well. Well done Noemi for this beautiful article.
You re so right about Gabbani and his songs. I think the Italians should come up with a new expression:’Cuore di Gabba’ (Gabba is his nickname). Thank you so much for appreciation and most of all for being the most wonderful friend.
Your article scans perfectly Gabbani’s heart and it is so emotionally, perfectly, descriptive! It is written with love – well done Noemi, as always!!
Thank you ever so much for your time and appreciation. Gabbani has certainly captivated my heart and all praise is due to him.
Thanks ever so much for your time and appreciation. Gabbani has certainly captivated my heart because he truly is unique in his depth, his authenticity and in refusing to pander to shallowness.
Wow. Noemi, this blew me away. There’s so much going on here yet all of it exquisitely played out. No. Intimacy should never be taken for granted. Sexual, as well as emotional, I just wrote a story touching on this very thing. I’m going to read this again. Thank you for sharing your unique voice. Brava!
So glad, Sherry, that you floated with Gabbani the way I do. This new song of his is a marvel of marvels.
Let me know when you publish your story. Thank you for your appreciation.
A delightful article Noemi, and an interesting song which encapsulates the nuances of togetherness. I’ve always enjoyed the writing and musicianship of Mike Oldfield, and one such song that conjures up notions of romantic pedigree is Man In the Rain. It is more about the foolish things people do when they think they are in love, of which some folks refer to as a state of limerence. The lovely vocals are performed by Irish folk singer Cara Dillon. I’ve always found this to be a flawless diamond…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uj2VyG8T0I
Thank you, Aaron, for your time and appreciation. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to Mike Oldfield. Thank you for reminding me of him.
There is nothing more important than love. Without it all colors get darker, the whole world becames just a place where we live and not the place where we live our dreams. Love nurishes our souls and give us strength to move on, even when we think that we can’t. Thank you Ms Noemi for another beautiful article which reached the essence of our existence.
You nailed it about love, Nermin! Thank you for your heartfelt appreciation.