Alta Marea

Antonello Venditti's 'Alta Marea' is a poignant Italian ballad that delves into the themes of love, longing, and the passage of time. The song opens with a vivid image of a deserted highway by the sea, with the narrator's heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of the car's engine. This setting creates a sense of solitude and introspection, as the narrator drives through the night, chasing the dawn's lights.

The chorus of 'Alta Marea,' which translates to 'High Tide,' uses the ebb and flow of the sea as a metaphor for the presence and absence of a loved one. Venditti sings about the person being as constant and unpredictable as the high tide, suggesting a relationship that is both passionate and fraught with uncertainty. The fear that this person might not belong to him ('sei l'immensa paura che tu non sia mia') underscores the vulnerability and intensity of his feelings.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and a battle with time ('il tempo vola'), as the narrator expresses a deep yearning to be reunited with his love. The repetition of 'quanto ti voglio' (how much I want you) emphasizes the longing and desire that drive the song's narrative. Venditti's lyrics capture the universal experience of love's powerful grip on the human heart, and the fear of losing that which we hold most dear.