Cannocchiale translates to "telescope" or "spyglass". It's a less common word in everyday Italian conversation and stands out in the lyrics.
In the song, the singer uses it to describe actively searching for someone in the vastness of the sea: "E ti cerco in mare con il cannocchiale" (And I look for you in the sea with the telescope). This imagery evokes a sense of longing and a determined, almost whimsical, quest, making it a memorable and engaging word choice.
Have you ever felt a deep connection to a place, like the ocean? In "Mare," which means "Sea" in Italian, the band Ex-Otago explores this feeling. The song paints a picture of someone searching for a lost loved one, specifically their father, in the vastness of the sea. The singer looks for him with a telescope and sees his eyes again in a memory on a hot beach. The sea isn't just water; it's a place of reunion, where memories feel real and close.
The song suggests a beautiful and unconventional idea about the afterlife. Instead of the belief that people go to the sky or heaven when they pass away, the lyrics propose that "C'è chi sceglie il mare"—"There are those who choose the sea." For the singer, the sea is a spiritual place where a soul can continue to swim forever. It's a powerful tribute to how places can hold our most precious memories and keep us connected to those we miss.