Rimmel

Francesco De Gregori's song 'Rimmel' is a poignant reflection on the remnants of a past relationship and the bittersweet process of moving on. The lyrics paint a picture of someone trying to erase the traces of a former lover from their life, symbolized by the act of removing the lover's name from their facade. This metaphor suggests a public disassociation, as if the narrator is trying to convince the world—and perhaps themselves—that the relationship is truly over. The mention of 'pagine chiare' and 'pagine scure,' which translate to 'clear pages' and 'dark pages,' respectively, indicates the mixture of good and bad memories that linger after a breakup.

The song delves into the theme of fate and the illusion of control, as seen in the lines about the fortune teller calling the narrator a winner, only to reveal that it's a trick. This could imply that despite the narrator's perceived luck in love, it was never truly in their hands. The 'zingaro,' or gypsy, is a symbol of unpredictability and the fleeting nature of happiness. The narrator expresses regret for not having been younger, suggesting that with the vigor and imagination of youth, they might have been able to reshape or even destroy the future that now seems to be imposing itself upon them.

The chorus speaks to the inevitability of change and the continuation of life. The narrator imagines the lover sending their kisses to a new address and superimposing their face onto someone else's. The 'quattro assi,' or four aces, represent the lover's assets or qualities, which can be hidden or played as they wish, indicating the power one holds in how they present themselves in new relationships. The song concludes with a nostalgic recollection of a moment shared, a photograph, and a realization that all that remains of their connection is a memory. The 'dolce Venere di Rimmel'—sweet Venus of Rimmel—evokes the image of the lover adorned in makeup, an ephemeral beauty that, like the relationship, fades with time.