“We are crazy, but not like them”: what did Måneskin sing about in the Eurovision final.
Four young Italians won Eurovision 2021 with the melodic rock song “Zitti E Buoni”. We figure out what is the meaning of Måneskin’s song “Zitti E Buoni”, here is its full text and translation.
Who are Maneskin & The Story Behind
A few facts about the winners of Eurovision 2021:
- The Italian quartet Måneskin consists of three men and a girl: vocalist Damiano David, guitarist Thomas Raggi, drummer Ethan Torchio and bassist Victoria De Angelis. They are 20-22 years old, Damiano is the oldest. Three of the musicians have known each other since childhood, they studied at the same school.
- Måneskin is a Danish word meaning “moonlight” (the name was suggested by Danish Victoria).
- They play glam rock, funk rock, stoner rock and alternative rock.
- Måneskin won the Sanremo 2021 contest with the song “Zitti e buoni”, and she (or rather, her slightly cleaned up version) was put up for Eurovision.
- The Eurovision jury awarded them 4th place, but the audience vote put Måneskin on the highest step of the podium.
Lyrics and translation of Maneskin’s song “Zitti e Buoni”
“Zitti e Buoni” is translated from Italian as “Quiet and peaceful”, another option is “Sit down and keep your head down.” Read the lyrics and line by line translation of the song (click to enlarge).
Italian text | English translation |
| Loro non sanno di che parlo Voi siete sporchi fra’ di fango Giallo di siga’ fra le dita Io con la siga’ camminandoScusami ma ci credo tanto Che posso fare questo salto Anche se la strada è in salita Per questo ora mi sto allenandoE buonasera signore e signori Fuori gli attori Vi conviene toccarvi i coglioni (Eurovision version: Vi conviene non fare più errori) Vi conviene stare zitti e buoniQui la gente è strana tipo spacciatori Troppe notti stavo chiuso fuori Mo’ li prendo a calci ‘sti portoni Sguardo in alto tipo scalatoriQuindi scusa mamma se sto sempre fuori, ma Sono fuori di testa ma diverso da loro E tu sei fuori di testa ma diversa da loro Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loroIo Ho scritto pagine e pagine Ho visto sale poi lacrime Questi uomini in macchina Non scalare le rapideScritto sopra una lapide In casa mia non c’è Dio Ma se trovi il senso del tempo Risalirai dal tuo oblioE non c’è vento che fermi La naturale potenza Dal punto giusto di vista Del vento senti l’ebrezza Con ali in cera alla schiena Perché Parla la gente purtroppo Parla la gente purtroppo Parla la gente purtroppo Ma sono fuori di testa ma diverso da loro | They don’t know what I’m talking about You’re dirty, bros, full of mud Cig stains between your fingers Me with a cig walkingI’m sorry but I really believe That I can make this jump Even if the road is uphill That’s why I’m training nowAnd good evening ladies and gentlemen Get the actors out You’d better touch your nuts (Eurovision version: You better not make any more mistakes) You better shut up and be quietPeople here are strange like drug dealers I’ve been locked out too many nights Now I’m gonna kick the doorways Lookin’ up like a climberSo excuse me, mom, for staying out all the time I’m crazy but different from them And you’re out of your mind but different from them We’re out of our minds but different from them We’re out of our minds but different from themMe I’ve written pages and pages I’ve seen salt then tears These men in the car Don’t climb the rapidsWritten on a tombstone In my house there is no God But if you find the sense of time You will rise from your oblivionAnd no wind can stop The natural power From the right point of view Of the wind you feel the thrill With wax wings on your back Because People talk unfortunately People are talking unfortunately People are talking unfortunately But I’m out of my mind but different from them |
The meaning of the song “Zitti e Buoni”
Already on the eve of the final, Måneskin were the obvious favorites of the competition – the bookmakers bet on them and on the Frenchwoman Barbara Pravy, who took silver.
The secret of the success of the quartet and the song “Zitti E Buoni” lies on the surface. Europe has missed high-quality classic rock, and it is exactly this – driving, melodic, in the style of Led Zeppelin.
Photo instagram.com/maneskinofficial/Suits made of leather and metal, guitar cuts, make-up in the style of “cocaine chic” – all these are elements of painfully familiar “good old” rock. Plus, crazy energy and a lot of testosterone, which is physically felt even through the screen.
The meaning and idea of the song “Zitti E Buoni” is not new, it is also in the tradition of European (and any other) rock. Rebellion against the ossified, stupid, limited majority, the consciousness of one’s own exclusivity, the desire for another, fuller life.
There are “they” – wingless, limited, soulless. These quiet and meek “people in cars”, who are used to go with the flow and not stick out, in whose house “there is no God” and where you can suffocate.
And there is “we” – “crazy”, in dirty clothes, with fingers yellowed from cigarettes, with wax wings behind our shoulders. Which “will smash the door to pieces” and “go to take off.”
The image of Icarus from the ancient Greek myth, which was also “crazy”, is clearly visible. Before he died, he rose on his wax wings to the very heavens.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was marked by the unconditional victory of the Italian rock band Måneskin with the song “Zitti e buoni”. Against the backdrop of slow lyrical compositions that prevailed at the last Eurovision Song Contest, this musical composition was remembered by the audience for its spontaneity, drive, and spirit of rebellion.
The musical group “Måneskin” was created five years ago, it consists of young people aged 19 to 21 years. The guys met while studying in high school, at the same time they began to write the first songs. The members of “Måneskin” have chosen for themselves the image of recalcitrant rebels and create tracks corresponding to this role.
The song with which the group became the winner of Eurovision 2021 is no exception. The name “Zitti e buoni” is translated as “Sit and do not stick out”. It is a message to the older generation, points to the problems of young people in relations with mature adults. Interestingly, the track was edited and censored specifically for the pan-European song contest. In the original version, the composition is sharper and more rigid. To match the temperament of the group members.
The performer of the song talks about how at the beginning of his journey he was not understood by others, but he tried not to attach importance to this, moving towards his goal. The image of the “wax wings behind the back” of the musician symbolizes the seeming inaccessibility and unreality of what he had conceived. However, it is the dissimilarity to others, disobedience and following his own rules that will help him achieve everything he wants. He ridicules not always justified established rules and decency, enjoys the fact that he can afford to break them. With irony, the performer calls the older generation “ladies and gentlemen”, mocking the excessive craving for formalities and rules of behavior in society.
The song describes an integral period in the life of almost all young people, of any gender and nationality, – misunderstanding and condemnation from others (possibly parents). The soloist talks about his life path, about how he began to create his songs, not finding support from the elders. Being in society, he did not feel in his place, remained misunderstood, but firmly walked towards his goal. The musician sincerely does not understand why he needs to do what is right, and not what he wants to do himself.
Further, the performer says that he did not always manage to easily relate to public pressure and condemnation. But despite the fact that “I saw salt, then tears,” he did not deviate from the intended goal. He challenges those around him, saying that in order to stop him, they might even “try to cut off his head.”
The musical composition expresses the emotions of an entire generation of young people. The performer sings that he still has not passed the period of rebellion and denial. He still “does not have enough air” in modern society, he asks “to take him away from here.” The musician destroys the image of wealthy people “in cars”, going “with the flow”, arguing that they “themselves do not understand what they are talking about.” Therefore, he urges young people not to take the condemnation of adults seriously.
The chorus of the song once again indicates to the youth that they are not like those around them, but this is the strength. Musicians advise young listeners to admit that they are all “out of their minds”, but this is their main advantage, they urge them to keep this trait in themselves.
The meaning of the song “Zitti e buoni” is designed to point out to the representatives of the older generation the need for a more loyal attitude towards young people, to provide assistance and support in the endeavors of young people. In addition, the musical composition is also addressed to boys and girls who are going through a difficult life period of misunderstanding on the part of others. The song encourages them to never give up, to go forward, no matter what.
