Anema is the Neapolitan dialect word for "anima," which means "soul" in standard Italian. It's a beautiful and evocative word that adds a unique regional flavor to the lyrics.
In the song, the line "Tu me cammin int' all'anema" translates to "You walk into my soul." This powerful phrase expresses a deep, intimate connection, suggesting that the person has a profound impact on the singer's innermost being. Its use highlights the blend of standard Italian and Neapolitan dialect, making it particularly interesting for learners.
Alfa is from Genoa, Gigi D'Alessio is from Naples, and the whole song runs on that one fact: two port cities at opposite ends of Italy, both looking at the same water. "Perché noi siamo due città di porto / Non siamo fatti per rimanere" (Because we are two port cities / We are not made to stay) is the excuse Alfa gives himself for why this keeps failing, and it is a flattering one. Ports are where people leave from.
The best line is the smallest. "Ed ho imparato anche a dormire storto / Per non finire mai nel tuo lato del letto" (And I even learned to sleep crooked / So I never end up on your side of the bed) tells you more about missing someone than any chorus could. Then Gigi answers in Neapolitan, and the song stops being clever: "Tu me cammin int' all'anema / E po' scumpar int' a 'n attim" (You walk inside my soul / And then you vanish in an instant). The chorus keeps insisting the distance does not count, "Finché c'è solo il mare / Che ci può separare" (As long as it is only the sea / That can keep us apart), which is either romance or a man arguing with himself. The last line finally picks a side: "Niente ci dividerà " (Nothing will divide us).