La Canzone Dell'Amore Perduto

Franco Battiato's 'La Canzone Dell'Amore Perduto' is a poignant exploration of the ephemeral nature of love. The song opens with a nostalgic recollection of a time when love was in full bloom, symbolized by the blossoming violets. The lyrics, 'non ci lasceremo mai, mai e poi mai' (we will never leave each other, never and never), capture the initial fervor and promises of eternal love. However, as the song progresses, Battiato reflects on how quickly love can wither, much like roses that fade away. This metaphor of fading flowers poignantly illustrates the transient beauty of love and the inevitability of its decline.

The song delves deeper into the sorrow of lost love, describing it as something that 'strappa i capelli' (tears out the hair) and is now irretrievably lost. What remains are 'svogliata carezza' (listless caresses) and 'un pò di tenerezza' (a bit of tenderness), highlighting the remnants of affection that linger even after the passion has faded. This shift from intense love to a more subdued, almost resigned tenderness underscores the emotional journey from the heights of romantic ecstasy to the depths of melancholy.

In the latter part of the song, Battiato introduces a sense of longing and regret. The image of holding 'quei fiori appassiti' (those withered flowers) in the sunlight of a distant April evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and loss. The lyrics suggest that in the future, one might seek to fill the void left by lost love with new encounters, symbolized by covering the first person met on the street with gold for 'un bacio mai dato' (a kiss never given) and 'un amore nuovo' (a new love). This ending reflects the human desire to find solace and renewal in new relationships, even as we carry the memories and regrets of past loves.