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From album
Lucio Battisti
Lucio Battisti · 1969
Details
Duración3:50
ÁlbumLucio Battisti
Año1969
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The story behind
What makes Pensieri e parole so particular is how it intertwines two distinct melodies. At first, these voices sound separately, but then they come together, especially in the second part of the song. Even the chorus features a play of voices that blend. This structure, as the title suggests, evokes the idea of thoughts and words crossing each other, like in a conversation between two lovers at a delicate moment in their relationship. *Rolling Stone* magazine included it in its list of the 200 best Italian songs of all time, ranking it at number 46. Lucio Battisti himself performed this piece on television, using a playback trick where he superimposed two images of himself to represent the distinct vocal parts.
There is a version of Pensieri e parole that differs from the one we know from the single and most albums. This extended version, which lasts 5 minutes and 14 seconds (compared to the usual 3:55), adds an orchestral coda at the end. This additional part was created by arranger Gian Piero Reverberi along with Battisti. It was released on compilations such as Tutto Battisti (1975), Profili musicali no. 21 (1982), and Il meglio di Lucio Battisti (1984), and today can be found on Rarities (2020). The exact reason for this instrumental extension was never entirely clear. The lyrics, written by Mogol, are inspired by personal experiences. On one hand, it recalls his youth, such as a trip to England and a relationship with a girl named Sharon, whom he had to leave due to religious differences, and also the proximity of a railway line to his old home in Lambrate. On the other hand, it reflects the situation he was experiencing with his wife Serenella, from whom he was separating due to communication problems.