Susanna, Susanna

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a narrator's lavish, yet ultimately unrequited, pursuit of a woman named Susanna. He tries to win her with luxury, spending "sette giorni a Portofino" and "più di un mese a Saint Tropez." Susanna, however, rejects his material overtures, telling him, "Non mi compri col patè." Her quick departure to Malibu with a "grossista di bijoux" immediately establishes her elusive nature and a subtle irony regarding her rejection of his gifts. The central tension lies in the narrator's persistent longing contrasted with Susanna's detached, almost fleeting presence. He sees himself as a "turista ticinese" while she is the "regina di Pigalle," highlighting a perceived gap in their worlds. Despite her saying "sì" to his invitation, her subsequent dismissal, "Tu ne préoccupe pas, ma va'," underscores her non-committal attitude, leaving the narrator in a state of yearning. Her exotic style, like wearing "un pechinese" and "un triangolo di strass," further emphasizes her captivating yet unattainable allure. The bridge introduces a darker, more obsessive emotional core. The narrator confesses, "ho messo la tua faccia su una faccia nuova," suggesting a desperate attempt to replace or project her image onto someone else. This intensifies with the unsettling declaration, "Terrò il tuo sangue nelle mie vene," a powerful image of internalizing her presence to an almost possessive degree, even if it's "diviso e insieme." This shift from external pursuit to an internal, almost visceral, connection is striking. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they blend a glamorous, jet-set backdrop with a raw, escalating emotional intensity. The mix of Italian and French phrases adds to the sophisticated yet melancholic atmosphere. The narrator's desperate attempts to hold onto Susanna, whether through lavish gifts or by internalizing her very essence, create a compelling portrait of unfulfilled desire, leaving the listener to feel the weight of his enduring, almost consuming, obsession.