It’s Valentine’s Day today, which means it’s the day of love ánd the name day of all Valentinas and Valentinos. Italy is the land of love, and Italian is the most romantic language in the world. It’s no coincidence that it’s the only language that is known, at least that I’m aware of, for its two different translations of “I love you”. One is for lovers only, the other is used for family, friends and anyone you love but who is not that one special someone. Only in the latter case, you say “ti amo”, the literal translation of “I love you”. To everyone else, you say “ti voglio bene”, which is a little difficult to translate and literally means something like “I want good for you”. But don’t get fooled as the true meaning of “ti voglio bene” is also “I love you”. However, as it is with the English “I love you”, it’s used quite often, so that sometimes, when you really want to show your deep affection, you feel like it doesn’t totally suffice. That’s why Italians often add something to the expression, and “ti voglio un mare bene” is my favourite add-on. It’s a bit difficult to translate, but un mare means a sea. You basically tell them you wish them as much good as a gigantic sea. Hence; I love you so much.
I feel privileged to have mastered this language nearly fluently, so that the words not only sound beautiful but I also understand their meaning
But today, on Valentine’s Day, “ti amo” is more appropriate, and because there’s simply no language more beautiful for a love song than the Italian language, and there’s no population who can describe love as poetically as the Italians, this is my Valentine’s gift to you: a translation of one of my favourite Italian love songs: “A te” by Jovanotti. It’s about true love. Every time I hear it, I feel privileged to have mastered this language nearly fluently, so that the words not only sound beautiful but I also understand their meaning. Like the most beautiful colours in a painting that you could already see, but now finally perceive too. Learning the Italian language is one of the most beautiful expressions of love I could have ever gifted myself with. Because actually, that thing I’ve just said about how the words “ti amo” are only meant for your lover, might not be entirely true. There is, in fact, another person to whom you may – or rather must – say these two little, but oh so special, words. You yourself are that other person. So, say it often, preferably every day. Buon San Valentino.
Jovanotti – A Te (listen to the song here)
A te che sei l’unica al mondo – To you who’s the only one in the world
L’unica ragione per arrivare fino in fondo – The only reason to go through to the end
Ad ogni mio respiro – At every breath I take
Quando ti guardo – When I look at you
Dopo un giorno pieno di parole – After a day full of words
Senza che tu mi dica niente – Without you telling me anything
Tutto si fa chiaro – Everything becomes clear
A te che mi hai trovato – To you who found me
All’angolo coi pugni chiusi – In the corner with my fists closed
Con le mie spalle contro il muro – With my shoulders against the wall
Pronto a difendermi – Ready to defend myself
Con gli occhi bassi – With my eyes downcast
Stavo in fila con i disillusi – I stood in line with the disillusioned
Tu mi hai raccolto come un gatto – You picked me up like a cat
E mi hai portato con te – And took me with you
A te io canto una canzone – To you I sing a song
Perchè non ho altro – Because I’ve got nothing else
Niente di meglio da offrirti – Nothing better to offer you
Di tutto quello che ho – Than all that I have
Prendi il mio tempo – Take my time
E la magia – And the magic
Che con un solo salto – That with a single jump
Ci fa volare dentro l’aria – It makes us fly in the air
Come bollicine – Like bubbles
A te che sei – To you who you are
Semplicemente sei – You are simply
Sostanza dei giorni miei – The substance of my days
Sostanza dei giorni miei – The substance of my days
A te che sei il mio grande amore – To you who’s my great love
Ed il mio amore grande – And my great love
A te che hai preso la mia vita – To you who has taken my life
E ne hai fatto molto di più – And made so much more out of it
A te che hai dato senso al tempo – To you who gave meaning to time
Senza misurarlo – Without measuring it
A te che sei il mio amore grande – To you who’s my great love
Ed il mio grande amore – And my great love
A te che io – To you who I
Ti ho visto piangere nella mia mano – I saw you crying in my hand
Fragile che potevo ucciderti – So vulnerable that I could kill you
Stringendoti un po’ – By only squeezing you tightly
E poi ti ho visto – And then I saw you
Con la forza di un aeroplano – With the strength of an airplane
Prendere in mano la tua vita – Take your life in your hands
E trascinarla in salvo – And drag it to safety
A te che mi hai insegnato i sogni – To you who taught me dreams
E l’arte dell’avventura – And the art of adventure
A te che credi nel coraggio – To you who believes in courage
E anche nella paura – And in fear too
A te che sei la miglior cosa – To you that’s the best thing
Che mi sia successa – That has happened to me
A te che cambi tutti i giorni – To you who changes every day
E resti sempre la stessa – And always remains the same
A te che sei – To you who you are
Semplicemente sei – You are simply
Sostanza dei giorni miei – The substance of my days
Sostanza dei sogni miei – The substance of my dreams
A te che sei – To you who you are
Essenzialmente sei – You are in essence
Sostanza dei sogni miei – The substance of my dreams
Sostanza dei giorni miei – The substance of my days
A te che non ti piaci mai – To you who never likes herself
E sei una meraviglia – And you are a wonder
Le forze della natura si concentrano in te – The forces of nature are concentrated inside of you
Che sei una roccia, sei una pianta, sei un uragano – As you are a rock, you are a plant, you are a hurricane
Sei l’orizzonte che mi accoglie quando mi allontano – You are the horizon that welcomes me when I leave
A te che sei l’unica amica – To you who’s my only friend
Che io possa avere – That I can have
L’unico amore che vorrei – The only love I’d want
Se non ti avessi con me – If I don’t have you with me
A te che hai reso la mia vita – To you who has made my life
Bella da morire – So beautiful as to die for
Che riesci a render la fatica un immenso piacere – That you manage to make tiredness an immense pleasure
A te che sei il mio grande amore – To you who’s my great love
Ed il mio amore grande – And my great love
A te che hai preso la mia vita – To you who has taken my life
E ne hai fatto molto di più – And made so much more out of it
A te che hai dato senso al tempo – To you who gave meaning to time
Senza misurarlo – Without measuring it
A te che sei il mio amore grande – To you who’s my great love
Ed il mio grande amore – And my great love
A te che sei – To you who you are
Semplicemente sei – You are simply
Sostanza dei giorni miei – The substance of my days
Sostanza dei sogni miei – The substance of my dreams
E a te che sei – And to you who you are
Semplicemente sei – You are simply
Compagna dei giorni miei – The companion of my days
Sostanza dei sogni miei – The substance of my dreams