Barbara

Enzo Carella's song 'Barbara' is a sensuous exploration of love and desire, wrapped in poetic and evocative language. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a passionate relationship, where physical and emotional sensations intertwine. The recurring theme of 'freddo' (cold) juxtaposed with the warmth of intimate moments creates a compelling contrast that underscores the intensity of the emotions involved.

The song opens with a plea for connection and intimacy, as the narrator asks to be tempted and touched, seeking warmth and closeness. The use of metaphors like 'treccie allacciami' (braid me with your hair) and 'fammi un male tenero' (give me a tender pain) highlights the complexity of their relationship, where pleasure and pain coexist. The reference to 'fantasiosa e barbara' (imaginative and barbaric) suggests a wild, untamed love that defies conventional boundaries.

As the song progresses, the narrator's coldness becomes a recurring motif, symbolizing a longing that can only be alleviated by the lover's touch. Phrases like 'ho freddo in mano' (my hand is cold) and 'ho freddo al bacio' (my kiss is cold) emphasize the physical need for warmth and connection. The lover, Barbara, is depicted as both a source of warmth and a tantalizing, almost dangerous presence, with descriptions like 'diavola che scivola' (slippery devil) and 'notte accesa' (lit night).

The song's chorus reinforces the idea of love as a consuming force, with the narrator expressing a desire to be enveloped by Barbara's warmth. The imagery of 'il mio cuore è zucchero' (my heart is sugar) and 'rapinosa mordilo' (bite it greedily) conveys a sense of vulnerability and surrender. Ultimately, 'Barbara' is a celebration of the intense, often contradictory emotions that define passionate love, where coldness and warmth, pleasure and pain, coexist in a delicate balance.