Lo Zio
Paolo Conte · Blue Swing [2008]
Come back to my Chinatown
I sing for you, shoe shiner
I show a memorys clown
I shoe a memorys clown
Shoe shiner, sho shiner
Come back to my Chinatown
I sing for you, shoe shiner
Chinatown, Chinatown!
Guardando a orecchio si vede Shangaj
in fondo ai viali di Vienna
e la sua sagoma si accenna
inconfondibile in mezzo al via-vai
Tuo zio ti aspetta, raggiungilo
quando ti guarda decifralo:
tutto cinema, cinema, cinema
ah, come back to my old Chinatown
Ah, zio, zio, com, com
spiega a vita, spiega com
ah, zio, zio, com, com
spiegami biene, spiega perch
e piano piano si strotola
di questo film la pellicola
ah, zio, zio
Come back to my Chinatown
Ecco Duke Ellingtooon, grade boxeur
tutto vantagli e silenzi
Ridi, selvaggio, ridi, ridi
tra i gelsomini dellAfrica buia
solo il nipote capisce lo zio
non c bisogno di diterlo,
sciusci, ti meriti un dollaro,
Ah! Come back to my old Chinatown
Ah, zio, zio, com, com
spiega la vita, spiega perch
ah, zio, zio com, com
spiegami tutto, sppiega cos
e intanto tutto si srotola
come di un film la pellicola
Ah! Zio, zio!
Lo Zio
Lo Zio stands as a sophisticated song in Paolo Conte's extensive discography, appearing on the 2008 album Blue Swing. The track exemplifies Conte's signature ability to blend jazz harmonies with Italian lyrical storytelling, creating a sound that feels both timeless and distinctly personal. As a veteran of the Italian music scene, Conte has long been celebrated for his poetic songwriting and unique vocal delivery, which often defies conventional pop structures. This recording continues his tradition of crafting atmospheric pieces that invite deep listening, showcasing his mastery of mood and arrangement. While the song operates within the broader context of his later work, it retains the elegance and narrative depth that have defined his career for decades. Listeners familiar with his catalog will recognize the refined craftsmanship that makes each composition a standout moment in his body of work.