Shock in my town

Shock in my town Velvet underground Ho sentito urla di furore Di generazioni, senza più passato Di neo-primitivi Rozzi cibernetici signori degli anelli Orgoglio dei manicomi Shock in my town Velvet underground Ho incontrato allucinazioni Stiamo diventando come degli insetti; simili agli insetti Nelle mie orbite si scontrano tribù di sub-urbani Di aminoacidi Latenti shock Shock addizionali, shock addizionali Sveglia Kundalini Sveglia Kundalini, sveglia Kundalini Per scappare via dalla paranoia Mescalina Come dopo un viaggio con la mescalina che finisce male Nel ritorno Shock in my town © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Shock in my town" is a dystopian portrait of a civilization regressing to a primitive state, where barbarity and technology co-exist. It should be understood that in the world of Gurdjieff embraced by Battiato, Kundalini is viewed negatively, as it is "the power of the imagination, the power of fantasy, that usurps the place of a real function." So in this apocalypse, reality and fiction, and dreaming and wakefulness are reversed.

Shock in my town Velvet Underground I heard the outcry of fury of generations, with no more past, of neo-primitives uncouth cybernauts, gentlemen of the rings, the pride of the psych wards. Shock in my town Velvet Underground I encountered hallucinations. We’re becoming like some insects, similar to the insects. In my orbits collide tribes of sub-urbanites of amino acids. Dormant shocks, (additional shocks, additional shocks) Awaken Kundalini (awaken Kundalini, awaken Kundalini) to get away from paranoia, mescaline, (like after a trip with mescaline that doesn’t end well) upon return. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Auto da fé

Si è fatto tardi sulle nostre esistenze E il desiderio tra noi due è acqua passata Davvero tu non c'entri niente è solo colpa mia Mi sono accorto tardi Che tutto quello a cui tenevo, ti era indifferente, scivolava via Siamo lontani Distanti Ti parlo e non mi senti E' sceso il buio nelle nostre coscienze E ha reso apocrifa la nostra relazione Vorrei innestare il modo dell'indifferenza E allontanarmi da te; Per presentarmi innanzi al tribunale di una nuova inquisizione Faccio un "auto da fé" Dei miei innamoramenti Un "auto da fé" Voglio praticare il sesso senza sentimenti senza sentimenti. E mi piaceva camminare solo Per sentieri ombrosi di montagna Nel mese in cui le foglie cambiano colore Prima di addormentarmi all'ombra del destino E' sceso il buio nelle nostre coscienze E ha reso apocrifa la nostra relazione Vorrei innestare il modo dell'indifferenza E allontanarmi da te; Faccio un "auto da fé" Dei miei innamoramenti Un "auto da fé" Voglio praticare il sesso senza sentimenti senza sentimenti. Auto da fé © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro An "auto-da-fé" was the ceremony for pronouncing judgment by the Inquisition, which was followed by the execution of sentence by secular authorities; it often connotes the burning of a heretic, which was the most extreme punishment imposed by the Inquisition.

It was done late in our existences and the desire between the two of us is water under the bridge. Really it’s not about you, it’s only my fault. I realized late that everything I cared about didn’t matter to you, it slipped away. We’re far away, distant, I talk to you and you don’t hear me. The darkness descended in our awareness and rendered our relationship apocryphal. I’d like to implant the mode of indifference and to distance myself from you, in order to present myself before the tribunal of a new inquisition. I’m doing an “auto-da-fé” of my loves and crushes, an “auto-da-fé” – I want to practice sex without feelings, without feelings. And I liked walking alone along shady mountain paths in the month when the leaves change color, before falling asleep in the shade of destiny. The darkness descended in our awareness and rendered our relationship apocryphal. I’d like to implant the mode of indifference and to distance myself from you I’m doing an “auto-da-fé” of my loves and crushes, an “auto-da-fé” – I want to practice sex without feelings, without feelings. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Casta Diva - Chaste Goddess

Greca, nascesti a New York E lì passasti la tua infanzia con genitori e niente di speciale Fu un giorno che tua madre stanca dell'America e di suo marito Prese i bagagli e le vostre mani Vi riportò indietro Nella terra degli Dei Eri una ragazzina assai robusta Non sapevi ancora di essere divina... Ci hai spezzato per sempre il cuore Ti strinse forte il successo Ballò fino a sera con te La musica non ti scorderà mai Viaggiasti e il mondo stringesti Ti accoglievano navi, aerei e treni Invidie, gelosie e devozione Un vile ti rubò serenità e talento Un vile ti rubò serenità. Un vile ti rubò Divinità dalla suprema voce La tua temporalità mi é entrata nelle ossa Casta Diva © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro Battiato's "Casta Diva" refers to an aria of the same name in Scene 1 of the opera Norma. The opera was a war horse for Mara Callas, who performed the title role 89 times throughout her career. For Battiato, Callas represented "absolute perfection" in her interpretive abilities, and she is sampled throughout this homage to her.

Greek, you were born in New York and there you spent your childhood with parents, and nothing special. One day your mother, tired of America and of her husband, took the bags and your hands and carried you back to the land of the Gods. You were a young girl so heavyset, you didn’t know yet you were divine . . . you broke our hearts forever. Success gripped you tightly, danced with you ‘til nighttime. Music will never forget you. You traveled and the world embraced you. Ships, planes, and trains welcomed you, and envies, jealousies and devotion. A vile man robbed you of serenity and talent. A vile man robbed you of serenity. A vile one robbed you. Divinity from a voice supreme, your worldliness entered into my bones. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Il ballo del potere - The Power Dance

Ti muovi sulla destra poi sulla sinistra Resti immobile sul centro Provi a fare un giro su te stesso, un giro su te stesso You miss me and I miss you Fingi di riandare avanti con un salto Poi a sinistra con la finta che stai andando a destra Che stai andando a destra You miss me and I miss you Poi si aggiungono i pensieri Con un movimento indipendente dalla testa, dalle gambe Con un movimento dissociato dalla testa, dalle gambe I Pigmei dell'Africa, si siedono per terra Con un rito di socialità Tranquilli fumano l'erba The circle symbolizes T'ai Chi which is formless and above duality Here it is manifesting itself as the progenitor of the universe It is divided into Yin (the dark) and Yang (the light) which signify the negative and positive poles. Pairs of opposites, passive and active, female and male, Moon and Sun Gli aborigeni d'Australia si stendono sulla terra Con un rito di fertilità Vi lasciano il loro sperma Il ballo del potere © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro The "Power Dance" referred to in the title is that practiced by shamans in ancient Mexico and described by Carlos Castaneda in his books - magical passes and positions and movements of the body designed to attract and hold on to powerful energies.

You move to the right then to the left, you stay unmoving in the center. You try to make a trip around yourself, a trip around yourself. You miss me and I miss you. You fake going ahead again with a jump, then to the left with a fake that you’re going to the right, that you’re going to the right. You miss me and I miss you. Then thoughts are added with an independent movement of the head, of the legs, with a dissociated movement of the head, of the legs. The Pygmies of Africa seat themselves on the ground with a social ritual. Tranquil, they smoke weed. The circle symbolizes Tai Chi, which is formless and above duality. Here it is manifesting itself as the progenitor of the universe. It is divided into Yin (the dark) and Yang (the light) which signify the negative and positive poles. Pairs of opposites, passive and active, female and male, Moon and Sun, The aborigines of Australia stretch out on the ground with a fertility rite. They leave you their sperm. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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La preda - The Prey

E scivola la sera tra i luoghi che attirano il mio sguardo La mia attenzione Dormo solo poche ore La caffeina scuote le mie voglie Sto sempre sveglio, ho voglia di arditezze Non saremo più né tu né io Cerca di restare immobile, non parlare Lento il respiro all'unisono rallenta il cuore Muta la furia in ebbrezza in tenerezza Lasciati andare Lasciati andare Piano Fino ad arrivare all'estasi Con me Volare così in alto da afferrare la preda ambita Senza luoghi comuni né vane parole Si intrecciano lenzuola come sacre bende di sacerdoti egiziani Non saremo più né tu né io né tu né io Cerca di restare immobile, non parlare Lento il respiro all'unisono rallenta il cuore Muta la furia in ebbrezza in tenerezza Lasciati andare Lasciati andare Piano Fino ad arrivare all'estasi Con me La preda © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "La preda" describes a Tantric orgasm that pervades both body and spirit.

And the evening slips through the places that attract my gaze, my attention. I sleep only a few hours, the caffeine shakes my desires. I stay awake always, I feel risky, we’ll no longer be neither you nor I. Try to remain still, don’t talk, slow the breath, in unison the heart slows. Mute the fury in intoxication, in tenderness. Let yourself go, let yourself go, gently, until arriving at ecstasy with me. Flying high like this to catch the coveted prey without common places or vane words. Sheets intertwine like sacred bandages of Egyptian priests. We’ll no longer be neither you nor I, neither you nor I. Try to remain still, don’t talk, slow the breath, in unison the heart slows. Mute the fury in intoxication, in tenderness. Let yourself go, let yourself go, gently, until arriving at ecstasy with me. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Il mantello e la spiga - The Cape and the Spike

Sotto l'ombra sospiravi Pastore di ombre e di sotterranei segreti Parlavi di una vita trascorsa Come sempre le foglie cadono d'autunno Intona i canti dei veggenti cedi alla saggezza, alle scintille di fuochi ormai spenti Règolati alle temperature e alle frescure delle notti: Lascia tutto e seguiti Guarda le distese dei campi, perditi in essi e non chiedere altro Lasci un'orma attraverso cui tu stesso ti segui nel tempo e ti riconosci Correvi con la biga nei circhi E fosti pure un'ape delicata Il gentile mantello che coprì le spalle di qualcuno Lascia tutto e seguiti I tuoi occhi dunque trascorrono svagati Ed ozi come una spiga Come sempre le foglie cadono d'autunno Intona i canti dei veggenti cedi alla saggezza, alle scintille di fuochi ormai spenti Règolati alle temperature e alle frescure delle notti: Lascia tutto e seguiti Il mantello e la spiga © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro

Under the shadow you sighed, shepherd of shadows and subterranean secrets. You spoke of a life spent. As always, the leaves fall in autumn. Intone the chants of the seers, yield to the wisdom, to the sparks of fires long spent. Give yourself to the temperatures and freshness of the nights: leave everything and follow yourself. Watch the expanses of the fields lost in themselves, and don’t ask for something else. Leave a footprint by which you follow yourself in time and recognize yourself. You ran with the chariot in the circuses and you were also a delicate bee, the nice cape that covered someone’s shoulders. Leave everything and follow yourself. Your eyes therefore spend the time vacant and idle like a spike. As always, the leaves fall in autumn. Intone the chants of the seers, yield to the wisdom, to the sparks of fires by now spent. Give yourself to the temperatures and freshness of the nights: leave everything and follow yourself. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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È stato molto bello - It Was Very Beautiful

I colli dei cigni Splendono alla luce E mille barbagli Trafiggono le palpebre Il fuoco che bruciò Roma è solo sprazzo Così mi incendi Con bugie di suoni mi possiedi E' stato molto bello Finisce la tarda estate E' stato molto bello Si prolungano le ombre oltre la sera Non domandarmi dove porta la strada Seguila e cammina soltanto Io non invecchio Niente più m'imprigiona È stato molto bello © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro

The necks of the swans glisten in the light and a thousand flashes skewer the eyelids. The fire that burned Rome is but a single flash. In this way you burn me, with lies of sound you own me. It was very beautiful, late summer is ending. It was very beautiful, the shadows lengthen beyond the evening. Don’t ask me where the road takes you, follow it and walk alone. I don’t age, nothing imprisons me anymore. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Quello che fu - That Which Was

Ah! Questo passato Dove il mio rifugio presso di te Fu quello che fu Dove la polvere più pura sulla tua soglia Fu quella che fu Duri come pietre Come due amici eravamo insieme Preso del tuo cuore Ho detto che il nostro legame Fu quello che fu Irragionevole Non ci poteva niente Non potevo immaginarmi senza La follia Fu quella che fu Fu quella che fu L'impero delle parole La distinzione tra bene e male La ripida discesa dal cielo alla terra Disperata Verso l'incarcerazione Fu quello che fu La circumnavigazione I nomi che si diedero alle cose La gioia e il dolore dell'esistere L'enigma del consenso Le emozionali imprese della specie Fu quello che fu Tutto fu quello che fu Quel che deve ancora avvenire Il sorgere della città di Dio L'emblema che ci fa forti e sicuri Oppure pazzi e disperati Ti gridavo: sono disperso Disperso Quello che fu © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro

Ah, this past where my shelter, in your nearness, was what it was. Where the purest dust on your doorstep was what it was. Hard like rocks, like two friends we were together. Taken by your heart, I said that our connection was what it was. Irrational, we were powerless (??) I couldn’t imagine myself without the madness. It was what it was. It was what it was. The empire of words, the distinction between good and bad, the steep descent from Heaven to Earth, desperate, towards the incarceration – it was what it was. The circumnavigation, the names that were given to things, the joy and the sadness of existing, the enigma of the agreement, the emotional undertakings of the species – it was what it was. Everything was what it was. That which still has to take place, the emergence of the city of God, the emblem that makes us strong and secure, or else crazy and desperate. I shouted to you: I am missing, missing. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Vite parallele - Parallel Lives

Mi farò strada tra cento miliardi di stelle La mia anima le attraverserà E su una di esse vivrà eterna Vi sono dicono cento miliardi di galassie Tocco l'infinito con le mani Aggiungo stella a stella Sbucherò da qualche parte Sono sicuro Vivremo per l'eternità Ma già qui Vivo vite parallele Ciascuna con un centro, con un'avventura E qualcuno che mi scalda il cuore Ciascuna mi assicura Addormentato o stanco Braccia che mi stringono Credo nella reincarnazione In quel lungo percorso che fa vivere vite in quantità Ma temo sempre l'oblìo La dimenticanza Giriamo sospesi nel vuoto intorno all'invisibile Ci sarà pure un Motore immobile E già qui Vivo vite parallele Ciascuna con un centro, una speranza La tenerezza di qualcuno Tu pretendi Esclusività di sentimenti Non me ne volere Perché sono curioso, bugiardo E infedele Qui Vivo vite parallele Ciascuna con un centro, con un'avventura E qualcuno che mi scalda il cuore Vite parallele © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Vite parallele" brings together Battiato's belief in reincarnation and Sgalambro's philosophical concept that we each live multiple, simultaneous lives that never encounter each other. The song title references a work by Plutarch, Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans.

I’ll make my way midst a hundred billion stars. My spirit will cross them and on one of them it will live eternally. There are, they say, a hundred billion galaxies. I touch the infinite with my hands, I add star upon star. I’ll turn up from some parts, I am certain we will live for eternity. But already here I live parallel lives, each one with a center, with an adventure, and someone who warms my heart. Each one assures me, asleep or tired, arms that hold me. I believe in reincarnation, in that long journey that brings lives alive in quantity, but I always fear oblivion, the forgetting. We wander around suspended in the emptiness surrounding the invisible. There's bound to be an immobile Motor. And already here I live parallel lives, each one with a center, a hope, someone's tenderness. You claim exclusivity of feelings. Don’t hold it against me, because I am curious, a liar and unloyal. Here I live parallel lives, each one with a center, with an adventure, and someone who warms my heart. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

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Shakleton

La storia Una catastrofe psicocosmica Mi sbatte contro le mura del tempo Vigilo, nel sonno vigilo Sentinella, sentinella che vedi? Una catastrofe psicocosmica Contro le mura del tempo Durante la grande guerra Nel Gennaio del 1915 Alle estremità settentrionali un forte vento spingeva grandi blocchi di ghiaccio galleggianti Imprigionando per sempre la nave dell'audace capitano Shakleton Su un piccolo battello Con due soli compagni Navigò fino a raggiungere la Georgia Australe; Mentre i 22 superstiti dell'isola Elefante Sopportavano un tremendo inverno Una catastrofe psicocosmica Mi sbatte contro le mura del tempo Vigilo, nel sonno vigilo Sentinella, che vedi? (Alla deriva, alla deriva, verso Nord, Nord-Ovest Profondità 370 metri 72° di Latitudine Est) Per sopravvivere furono costretti a uccidere i loro cani Per sopravvivere Ma il 30 Agosto del 1916, il leggendario capitano Compariva a salvarli con un'altra nave 2. Il ricordo Stille Dämmerung Der garten ist gefrohren Die Rosen erlitten Sage mir warum Sage mir warum In einem verlorenen Garten Sage mir warum Deine Stimme hören Sage mir warum Schweige bitte nicht Shakleton © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Shakleton" recounts the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Edward Shackleton. The beginning of the song samples an old recording of the classical French love song Plaisir d'amour.

The history A psycho-cosmic catastrophe throws me against the walls of time. I keep watch, in sleep I keep watch. Sentinel, sentinel, what do you see? A psycho-cosmic catastrophe up against the walls of time. During the Great War, in January of 1915, at the northern extremities, a strong wind pushed huge blocks of floating ice, imprisoning forever the ship of the daring Captain Shackleton. On a tiny boat with only two companions, he navigated until reaching South Georgia, while the 22 survivors on Elephant Island withstood a tremendous winter. A psycho-cosmic catastrophe throws me against the walls of time. I keep watch, in sleep I keep watch. Sentinel, what do you see? (Drifting, drifting, towards the North, Northwest, depth 370 meters, Latitude 72° East) To survive, they were forced to kill their dogs to survive. But on August 30 of 1916, the legendary Captain appeared to save them with another ship. 2. The memory Silent twilight The garden is frozen The roses suffered Tell me why Tell me why In a lost garden Tell me why To hear your voice Tell me why Please don’t be silent English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts.

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