The 1968 Italian Hit That Spoke for Society’s Outcasts Through Humor
This song was written by Fiorenzo Fiorentini, Dario Fo, and Enzo Jannacci, and was first released in December 1967 as a single, paired with Giovanni, Telegrafist.
The protagonist of the song is rejected from every event, even hypothetical ones. Despite the seemingly humorous tone, the underlying theme is more serious, alluding to people living on the margins of society, the excluded. Later on, in order not to be remembered only for this song, Jannacci refused for years to perform it live.
There have been many covers, including Rudy Rickson’s in 1968, and Buddy with Tony and Tony’s band in the same year. In 1970, the Marco Antony Orchestra recorded a single cover for the album Marco Antony e la sua Orchestra. That same year, Torrebruno performed a Spanish version titled Voy contigo? No, tú no. In 1993, Batisto Coco released a salsa version of the song titled Vengo anch’io for his album Batisto Coco.
Lyrics
Si potrebbe andare tutti quanti allo zoo comunale
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Per vedere come stanno le bestie feroci
E gridare: “Aiuto, aiuto, è scappato il leone!”
E vedere di nascosto l’effetto che fa
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Si potrebbe andare tutti quanti ora che è primavera
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Con la bella sottobraccio a parlare d’amore
E scoprire che va sempre a finire che piove
E vedere di nascosto l’effetto che fa
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Si potrebbe poi sperare tutti in un mondo migliore
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Dove ognuno sia già pronto a tagliarti una mano
Un bel mondo sol con l’odio, ma senza l’amore
E vedere di nascosto l’effetto che fa
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Si potrebbe andare tutti quanti al tuo funerale
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Per vedere se la gente poi piange davvero
E capire che battono anche le suore
E vedere di nascosto l’effetto che fa
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Vengo anch’io? (No, tu no)
Ma perché? (Perché no!)
Lyrics
We could all go to the city zoo together
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
To see how the wild beasts are doing
And shout: “Help, help, the lion escaped!”
And secretly see what effect it has
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
But why? (Because no!)
We could all go now that it’s springtime
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
With a pretty girl on our arm, talking of love
And discovering it always ends up raining
And secretly see what effect it has
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
But why? (Because no!)
We could then all hope for a better world
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
Where everyone is already ready to cut off your hand
A fine world made only of hate but without love
And secretly see what effect it has
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
But why? (Because no!)
We could all go to your funeral
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
To see if people really cry
And discover even the nuns clap
And secretly see what effect it has
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
But why? (Because no!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
I’m coming too? (No, you not!)
But why? (Because no!)
Source: Wikipedia
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