LISTEN
PRACTICE

spaventata — frightened / scared

Spaventata means 'frightened' or 'scared'. It's an interesting word because it reveals a key detail about the relationship in the song.

The singer laments, "L'abbiamo spaventata" (We frightened her), suggesting that the actions of the singer and his friends caused his beloved to leave. This word adds a layer of introspection and regret, making it more engaging than a simple 'left' or 'gone'.

Have you ever felt sad while everyone around you is having fun? That's exactly the feeling Adriano Celentano captures in "E Voi Ballate," which means "And You All Dance."

The singer is heartbroken because his girlfriend has just left him. He asks someone to fill his glass because he's feeling "giù di corda" (down in the dumps). While he's miserable, he looks around and sees everyone else dancing, and in his sadness, he declares, "I hate you all!"

He believes his girlfriend was different from his friends, someone special who they couldn't understand. He sings that they "scared her away" and that she left "crying all alone." He feels completely alone, surrounded by people he thinks have never truly fallen in love and don't have a heart. It's a powerful song about feeling isolated in your sadness, even in a crowded room.

Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, actor, and filmmaker, born in Milan on January 6, 1938, and known affectionately as "il Molleggiato" ("the springy one") for his loose, bouncy dance moves.

He started out as a watchmaker before launching his music career in 1959, playing rock and roll alongside future stars like Giorgio Gaber. Inspired by Elvis Presley, he helped bring rock and roll to Italy and went on to sell more than 150 million records, making him one of the country's best-selling artists ever.

Beyond music, Celentano built a huge career in film, appearing in dozens of Italian comedies and topping the box office through the 1970s and 80s. His playful, high-energy style runs through his music as much as his films.

This song has more lessons to be added
Tap the request button below to prioritise the additional lessons