Whisky Lyrics in English by Mina
Follia translates to "madness" or "folly". It's a dramatic and evocative word that immediately captures attention, suggesting a deep emotional state beyond everyday feelings.
In Mina's song, the singer uses "follia" to describe her state of mind, linking it to her excessive drinking of whisky and her desire to forget. She sings, "Solo la follia," implying that madness is the only thing left or the only escape from her suffering. This word perfectly encapsulates the song's themes of despair, escapism, and emotional turmoil.
Mina cut "Whisky" in 1959, back when she was still singing simple, aching ballads before the big orchestral pop years. The whole song is one long confession to the glass: "Mi chiami vecchio whisky" (You call me old whiskey), she says, like the drink is an old friend who keeps showing up. Then straight up: "Scusatemi se bevo troppo whisky" (Excuse me if I drink too much whiskey) — she says it three times, like she is rehearsing the apology before she has to give it to someone real. Outside, the weather does the work the lyrics do not need to spell out: "Là fuori la pioggia cade, cade, cade giù" (Out there the rain falls, falls, falls down). By the last verse she is not hiding it anymore: "Credetemi, mi sembra d'impazzire" (Believe me, I feel like I am going crazy). It is a short song and she does not waste a line.
