750.000 Anni Fa, L'amore?
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
The Primal Longing: A Tale of Unattainable Love
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso's song "750.000 Anni Fa, L'amore?" delves into the primal and unrefined emotions of love and desire, set against a prehistoric backdrop. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a primitive man observing a woman from a distance, captivated by her beauty and grace as she moves through the landscape. The imagery of the sun being swallowed by water and the woman running to quench her thirst at the wells evokes a sense of timelessness and the raw, elemental nature of their world.
The protagonist's internal struggle is palpable as he yearns to possess the woman but is acutely aware of his own limitations. He hides, fearing that his presence would cause her to flee. This tension between desire and the fear of rejection is a central theme, highlighting the universal and timeless nature of these emotions. The man's longing is so intense that he imagines a world where he could adorn her with drops of water and dance with her under the moonlight, yet he is painfully aware of the chasm between them.
The song also touches on themes of self-awareness and existential angst. The protagonist refers to himself as a "scimmione" (ape), emphasizing his perceived lack of reason and sophistication. This self-deprecation underscores his feelings of inadequacy and the insurmountable distance he feels from the object of his desire. The repeated assertion that she would flee if she saw him reinforces his sense of unworthiness and the futility of his longing. Through this poignant narrative, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso explores the depths of human emotion, the pain of unrequited love, and the existential struggle for connection and meaning.