L’imprenditore

Song Meaning

The lyrics for "L'imprenditore" open with a scene of mundane frustration: the narrator is forced to comply with bank security, depositing "oggetti metallici" before entry. This immediate sense of inconvenience quickly gives way to a deeper weariness. The speaker feels compelled to "devo lavorare," a duty that allows time to pass and helps them avoid deeper thoughts. This forced compliance and resignation stand in stark contrast to the perceived freedom of others. While "gli altri giocano a carte" and compete to see "chi ce l'ha più lungo," the narrator remains "fermo, fermo" and waiting. This imagery suggests a life of passive observation, where the speaker is stuck while the world around them engages in various forms of play or posturing, both trivial and competitive. The emotional weight of this stagnation is further highlighted through poignant comparisons. The narrator observes Giovanni, who despite having "quattro denti tutti claudicanti," still "spesso ride, molto più di me." This stark comparison underscores the narrator's own lack of joy, reinforcing the feeling that they must "andare avanti, devo fare i conti" regardless of personal happiness. The surreal image of "gli asini volano in cielo" while making "debiti per stare a terra" adds a layer of absurdity, perhaps critiquing the illogical nature of the world the narrator is forced to navigate. The most striking element is the repeated, heavily ironic declaration in the post-chorus: "E come sono contento Di fare l'imprenditore." The phrase is immediately undercut by the subsequent line, "Di lavorare per ore ed ore," revealing the true burden. This repetition functions as a cynical mantra, exposing the hollow triumph of a life consumed by endless work, where the title of "entrepreneur" feels more like a heavy yoke than a badge of honor. Ultimately, the lyrics paint a picture of quiet resignation. The narrator's coping mechanism of simply letting time pass and not thinking – whether at the bank, at month's end, or by simply changing "le lenzuola" – creates a poignant portrait of someone trapped by obligation. The final lines, where the narrator mirrors the world by just "gira su stesso," encapsulate a life of cyclical, unfulfilling routine.