La Gallina Coccodè - Con Anna Oxa

Lucio Battisti's song 'La Gallina Coccodè - Con Anna Oxa' is a whimsical yet profound exploration of love, fear, and the inevitability of life's cycles. The song opens with the image of a frightened chicken, 'la gallina coccodè,' running through a farmyard. This metaphor sets the stage for a deeper reflection on the nature of relationships and the human condition. The chicken's flight represents the initial fear and excitement that often accompany new love, a theme that is further explored as the narrator contemplates his own feelings and actions.

The second verse introduces a chained dog, growling like a lion but ultimately pitiable. This image serves as a mirror to the narrator's own bravado and underlying insecurities. The dog, much like the narrator, puts on a fierce facade but is ultimately vulnerable. This duality highlights the complexity of human emotions, especially in the context of romantic relationships. The narrator's admission of fear and the dog's pitiful state underscore the universal struggle between outward appearances and inner realities.

The song culminates in a philosophical reflection on choice and destiny. The narrator questions whether he chooses his partner or if she chooses him, ultimately concluding that the question itself is irrelevant. Life, much like the spinning wheel mentioned in the lyrics, is a series of interconnected events where everyone has a role to play. The final lines emphasize that while one can try to run or hide, it is ultimately futile. The art of living, as Battisti suggests, lies in embracing one's part in the grand scheme of things, accepting both the joys and the fears that come with it.