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Napule è
The song speaks of Naples as a city of a thousand souls, a thousand facets. Daniele paints a picture of the city seen through the eyes of the ordinary Neapolitan, praising its beauty, its vitality and its artistic imprint.
The song "Napule e'" ("Naples is") by Pino Daniele is an anthem to the city of Naples, the city that gave birth to the artist. The track, which is part of his 1979 album "Nero a metà" ("Half Black"), is one of the most famous and iconic of his career.
The song speaks of Naples as a city of a thousand souls, a thousand facets. Daniele paints a picture of the city seen through the eyes of the ordinary Neapolitan, praising its beauty, its vitality and its artistic imprint. Yet he does not fail to highlight its problems and contradictions too, such as poverty, decay and crime.
The rhythm of the song is compelling and engaging, a perfect blend of pop, jazz and blues with traditional Neapolitan sounds. Pino Daniele's voice is strong, passionate and gives the track depth, opening with the famous refrain: "Napule è, una cartolina 'e mare, Napule è, 'na cattedrale tutta sola, Napule è, nu sole accussì, Napule è, 'nu vaso 'e porcellana dipinto a mano" ("Naples is a postcard of the sea, Naples is a cathedral all alone, Naples is a sun like no other, Naples is a hand-painted porcelain vase").
The song has provided the soundtrack to many important moments in the everyday life of Neapolitans, from the Sunday house-cleaning ritual to the departure of emigrants seeking their fortune elsewhere. Thanks to its extraordinary poetry and evocative power, "Napule e'" has become, over the years, a symbol of Naples, exporting the love for the Parthenopean city all around the world.
Posted in:
Neapolitan songs
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