Certe cose

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of an artist navigating the often harsh realities of the music industry and public perception. The repeated phrase "dicono certe cose" (they say certain things) establishes a pervasive atmosphere of gossip and judgment, affecting both the narrator and the person they address. This creates an immediate sense of external pressure and scrutiny, hinting at a world where reputations are built and destroyed by rumor and speculation, a stark contrast to the artist's internal thoughts and desires, which are also reduced to "certe cose." The narrator feels trapped by the need to create a persona to sell, yet is offended when that persona is criticized, highlighting a deep-seated conflict between artistic integrity and commercial demands. The small-town mentality, where "la gente mormora cazzate" (people whisper bullshit) while the powerful remain silent, underscores the superficiality of the environment. The central tension arises from the narrator's struggle with being commodified and the pressure to conform versus a desire for authentic expression. They feel like a "prodotto" (product) created by a label to increase profits, a fate they actively resist by stating "io di aumentare me ne fotto" (I don't give a damn about increasing). This defiance is juxtaposed with the fear of ending up like Den Harrow, a cautionary tale of fame gone wrong, leading to a dark, self-destructive impulse: "io debole mi sparo" (I weak shoot myself). The lyrics suggest a profound disillusionment with the industry's hunger for profit, which dictates creative choices and personal sacrifices. A striking element of the craft is the deliberate ambiguity of "certe cose." This phrase functions as a placeholder for unspoken judgments, desires, and actions, creating a sense of mystery and unease. It allows the narrator to allude to a range of social and personal interactions without explicitly detailing them, from the suggestive "la tipa con la bocca fa certe cose" (the girl with the mouth does certain things) to the more sinister "sequestrano e dichiarano solo certe cose" (they seize and declare only certain things). This vagueness amplifies the feeling of being constantly under observation and subject to unpredictable forces, while also allowing the narrator to express their own fleeting thoughts and private moments, like "in pausa dentro il bagno fumo certe cose" (on break in the bathroom I smoke certain things). What makes these lyrics resonate is their raw, almost cynical honesty about the compromises and anxieties of creative life. The narrator’s internal monologue reveals a profound weariness with the superficiality and transactional nature of the industry, expressed through sharp, sometimes self-deprecating observations. The recurring motif of "certe cose" effectively captures the pervasive, undefined threats and pressures that loom over the artist. The bridge’s shift towards the inevitability of "debiti e morte" (debts and death) alongside the sun, and the ironic hope that Baglioni might one day sing his praises, underscores a dark humor and a defiant acceptance of life's certainties, however bleak.