Mi fanno ridere (Rip It Up)

Song Meaning

Adriano Celentano's "Mi fanno ridere" (They Make Me Laugh) operates on multiple levels of sardonic commentary. At its core, the song skewers the bandwagon mentality of those who initially dismissed rock and roll, only to belatedly embrace it when it became popular. The lyrics paint a picture of Celentano as a visionary, someone who recognized the enduring power of rock music before the masses. Now that his prediction has come true, he watches with amusement (and perhaps a touch of bitterness) as others clumsily imitate the style, their efforts rendered absurd and inauthentic. This is the central irony driving the song's emotional core. Celentano isn't just laughing; he's laughing so hard it makes him cry. The song's lyrical structure reinforces this sense of detached observation. The verses are interspersed with the recurring refrain, "Mi fanno ridere, ma proprio ridere / Ma così ridere che mi fan piangere / Mi fanno ridere e lo sai perché?" This repetition emphasizes the cyclical nature of Celentano's amusement and frustration. He sees the same predictable patterns of behavior playing out again and again. The partially-English lyrics further highlight the performative aspect of the rock and roll imitation. These "rockettari" are putting on a show, adopting the superficial trappings of the genre without understanding its true spirit. Beyond the immediate target of rock and roll posers, "Mi fanno ridere" also touches on broader themes of authenticity, artistic integrity, and the corrupting influence of money. The lyrics about "una cicca in bocca e un paio di blue jeans" suggest that these imitators believe freedom can be bought. Celentano seems to suggest that true artistic expression cannot be manufactured or purchased. It comes from a deeper place of genuine feeling and conviction, something that these superficial followers lack. The song's final verse, which speaks of progress moving forward while also acknowledging that "per ogni passo avanti, indietro un po' si va" (for every step forward, we take a step back), hints at a more complex understanding of cultural evolution. Celentano sees the irony in how even as society moves forward, it can still be held back by superficial trends and inauthentic expressions.