Sinistra - Destra

Giorgio Gaber's song 'Sinistra - Destra' is a satirical exploration of the often arbitrary and superficial distinctions people make between political ideologies. Through a series of humorous and seemingly trivial comparisons, Gaber highlights the absurdity of labeling everyday actions and objects as either 'left' or 'right.' The song opens with a critique of how people blame history for their problems but fail to take responsibility for their own actions, suggesting that the public's understanding of political ideologies is shallow and unserious.

The lyrics are filled with playful juxtapositions: taking a bath is 'right,' while taking a shower is 'left'; Marlboro cigarettes are 'right,' while smuggled ones are 'left.' These comparisons extend to food, clothing, and even health issues, painting a picture of a society obsessed with categorizing everything into binary opposites. Gaber uses these examples to mock the rigidity and often nonsensical nature of political labels, suggesting that the true essence of these ideologies has been lost in trivialities.

Towards the end of the song, Gaber delves deeper into the concept of ideology itself. He expresses a lingering belief in the existence of ideology, despite its apparent disappearance or dilution. This reflects a broader disillusionment with the political landscape, where the original passion and distinctiveness of political thought have been overshadowed by superficial contrasts. The song concludes with a call to recognize the absurdity of these distinctions and to move beyond them, encapsulated in the repeated refrain 'Ma cos'è la destra, cos'è la sinistra' ('But what is the right, what is the left').

Gaber's 'Sinistra - Destra' is not just a critique of political ideologies but also a commentary on the human tendency to oversimplify complex issues. It challenges listeners to question their own perceptions and to seek a deeper understanding of the world around them, beyond the confines of left and right.