Sentimiento nuevo

Song Meaning

Franco Battiato's "Sentimiento Nuevo" isn't just a love song; it's a cerebral exploration of desire, steeped in historical and mythological allusions. The "new feeling" the lyrics describe is one that transcends simple infatuation, reaching towards a more profound connection where the physical and intellectual intertwine. Battiato, as usual, elevates the mundane to the sublime, turning the act of love into a landscape populated by Libyan prostitutes, pre-Alexandrian possessiveness, and the captivating voices of Ulysses' sirens. This isn't about a fleeting crush; it's a deep dive into the complexities of human connection. The song meaning lies in the juxtaposition of raw, visceral urges and sophisticated, almost academic references. The lyrics dance between the sacred and the profane, referencing Tantric Shivaism and the "pornographic struggles" of the Greeks and Romans alongside the simple, primal urge for "accoppiamento" (mating). This tension highlights the core theme: the exhilaration of losing oneself in the intoxicating paradox of desire. The phrase "it's beautiful to get lost in this enchantment" encapsulates the song's essence. It's not just about physical attraction; it's about the transformative power of surrendering to something larger than oneself, a sentiment amplified by the siren-like pull of the beloved's voice. Ultimately, "Sentimiento Nuevo" is a celebration of Eros in its most expansive form. It suggests that true connection involves not just physical intimacy but also an intellectual and spiritual merging. The song's power lies in its ability to evoke a sense of timelessness, connecting contemporary experience to ancient myths and philosophies. Battiato uses these references not as mere ornamentation, but as a way of suggesting that the "new feeling" is, in fact, an echo of something deeply ingrained in the human experience, a cyclical return to the fundamental drives that shape our existence.