Poster
Claudio Baglioni
Dreams of Escape in Claudio Baglioni's 'Poster'
Claudio Baglioni's song 'Poster' paints a vivid picture of everyday life in a metro station, capturing the mundane yet poignant moments of the people who pass through it. The lyrics describe various characters, each absorbed in their own world: a man reading coffee machine instructions, a child enjoying a pastry, and a man lamenting about the government. These snapshots of life are set against the backdrop of a metro station where the clock has been stuck at 1:10 for years, symbolizing a sense of stagnation and timelessness.
The recurring image of a poster advertising Tunisia, with its 'velvet sea and a palm tree,' serves as a metaphor for escape and the longing for a better, more idyllic life. This poster becomes a focal point for the protagonist's dreams of leaving behind the cold, monotonous metro station for a distant, exotic paradise. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize the desire to go 'far away,' highlighting a universal human yearning for change and adventure.
Baglioni's detailed observations and the melancholic tone of the song evoke a sense of shared human experience. The metro station, with its diverse cast of characters, becomes a microcosm of society, where everyone is waiting for something—whether it's the 7:30 train or a chance to escape their current reality. The song captures the essence of everyday life while also delving into deeper themes of hope, dreams, and the desire for a different life.