Quando C'era Il Mare

Sergio Endrigo's song 'Quando C'era Il Mare' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, love, and the complexities of human relationships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a longing for the past, symbolized by the golden beaches and the sea that once existed. This imagery serves as a metaphor for a time of innocence and happiness that the narrator wishes to recapture with his beloved. The repeated promise to take the listener to these idyllic places suggests a deep yearning to relive those moments and escape the present reality.

The song also delves into the theme of possession and control within a relationship. The narrator's desire to adorn his beloved with flowers and shower her with wine and caresses indicates a wish to create a perfect, almost dreamlike state. However, this idealized love takes a darker turn with the lines 'Amore mio, ti ucciderò / Ma piano, piano non te ne accorgerai,' which translate to 'My love, I will kill you / But slowly, slowly you won't notice.' This suggests a suffocating love that, while seemingly gentle, ultimately seeks to dominate and consume the other person.

Endrigo's lyrics also touch on the paradox of freedom and confinement in love. The narrator speaks of inventing excuses to keep his beloved close, creating a scenario where she is 'Libera e felice, ma chiusa dentro me,' meaning 'Free and happy, but closed inside me.' This line encapsulates the tension between wanting to give the loved one freedom while simultaneously keeping them bound within the confines of the relationship. The song's melancholic tone and reflective lyrics invite listeners to ponder the delicate balance between love, freedom, and control.