Måneskin

When the names for Italy’s Sanremo 2021 were first announced, Måneskin were among the acts people got most excited about. And the rock group certainly lived up to expectations. They stormed the festival and, now, they’ll represent Italy at Euroivison 2021 with “Zitti e buoni”.

Scroll down for “Zitti e buoni” lyrics

Italy in Eurovision 2021: Måneskin “Zitti e buoni”

Måneskin is a pop-rock quartet that finished as runners up on X Factor Italy in 2017. Led by the voice of Damiano David, they’re making their debut at Sanremo 2021. The foursome will be attempting to repeat the success of their 2018 triple-platinum album Il ballo della vita, which included the hit “Torno a casa”.

What do the “Zitti e buoni” lyrics mean?

Måneskin were the only ones to bring rock to Sanremo 2021. And they took the mission seriously. “Zitti e buoni” (Shut Up And Be Quiet) is a fast track full of guitars, with some psychedelia crossover. Damiano goes wild, both when he sings and when he declaims: “We are out of our minds but different from them”.

“Zitti e buoni” is a manifesto for those who want to move forward by treasuring their uniqueness. Never mind who’s talking (without knowing what they’re saying).

However, the lyrics had to be changed slightly following the group’s Sanremo triumph. Reading the original lyrics of their entry, which you can see below, it’s clear that some changes needed to be made for Eurovision. In “Zitti e buoni”, in fact, there are a couple of very explicit references and as the Eurovision rules state:

“No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the ESC. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs.”

As reported by the Italian source Eurofestival News, there are four main changes that can be recognised compared to the original version. Two changes are to the lyrics, and the other two are cuts in order to make the song fit within Eurovision’s three-minute maximum length.

  • About five seconds have been cut from the introduction;
  • The verse “Vi conviene toccarvi i coglioni” (You’d better touch your nuts) — an expression that in the Italian language refers to a widespread superstitious gesture — has been changed to “Vi conviene non fare più errori” (You better not make any more mistakes);
  • One of the two riffs of the transition to the second verse has been removed (about four seconds);
  • The verse “Non sa di che ca**o parla” (They don’t know what the f**k they’re talking about) has been cleaned up and transformed into “Non sa di che cosa parla” (They don’t know what they’re talking about).

“Zitti e buoni” lyrics — Måneskin (Italy ESC 2021)

Written and Composed by: Damiano David, Ethan Torchio, Thomas Raggi and Victoria De Angelis.

Italian text

English translation

Loro non sanno di che parlo
Voi siete sporchi fra’ di fango
Giallo di siga’ fra le dita
Io con la siga’ camminandoScusami ma ci credo tanto
Che posso fare questo salto
Anche se la strada è in salita
Per questo ora mi sto allenandoE buonasera signore e signori
Fuori gli attori
Vi conviene toccarvi i coglioni
(Eurovision version:
Vi conviene non fare più errori)

Vi conviene stare zitti e buoniQui la gente è strana tipo spacciatori
Troppe notti stavo chiuso fuori
Mo’ li prendo a calci ‘sti portoni
Sguardo in alto tipo scalatoriQuindi scusa mamma se sto sempre fuori, ma
Sono fuori di testa ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro

Io
Ho scritto pagine e pagine
Ho visto sale poi lacrime
Questi uomini in macchina
Non scalare le rapide

Scritto sopra una lapide
In casa mia non c’è Dio
Ma se trovi il senso del tempo
Risalirai dal tuo oblio

E non c’è vento che fermi
La naturale potenza
Dal punto giusto di vista
Del vento senti l’ebrezza

Con ali in cera alla schiena
Ricercherò quell’altezza
Se vuoi fermarmi ritenta
Prova a tagliarmi la testa

Perché
Sono fuori di testa ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro

Parla la gente purtroppo
Parla non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l’aria

Parla la gente purtroppo
Parla non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l’aria

Parla la gente purtroppo
Parla non sa di che cazzo parla
(Eurovision version: Non sa di che cosa parla)
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l’aria

Ma sono fuori di testa ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro
Noi siamo diversi da loro

They don’t know what I’m talking about
You’re dirty, bros, full of mud
Cig stains between your fingers
Me with a cig walkingI’m sorry but I really believe
That I can make this jump
Even if the road is uphill
That’s why I’m training nowAnd good evening ladies and gentlemen
Get the actors out
You’d better touch your nuts
(Eurovision version: You better not make any more mistakes)
You better shut up and be quietPeople here are strange like drug dealers
I’ve been locked out too many nights
Now I’m gonna kick the doorways
Lookin’ up like a climberSo excuse me, mom, for staying out all the time
I’m crazy but different from them
And you’re out of your mind but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them

Me
I’ve written pages and pages
I’ve seen salt then tears
These men in the car
Don’t climb the rapids

Written on a tombstone
In my house there is no God
But if you find the sense of time
You will rise from your oblivion

And no wind can stop
The natural power
From the right point of view
Of the wind you feel the thrill

With wax wings on your back
I’ll seek out that height
If you want to stop me try again
Try cutting off my head

Because
I’m out of my mind but different from them
And you’re out of your mind but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them

People talk unfortunately
They talk, they don’t know what they’re talking about
Take me where I’m floating
I’m short of air here

People are talking unfortunately
They talk, they don’t know what they are talking about
Take me where I am floating
I’m short of air here

People are talking unfortunately
They talk, they don’t know what the f**k they’re talking about
(Eurovision version: They don’t know what they’re talking about)
Take me where I’m floating
I’m short of air here

But I’m out of my mind but different from them
And you’re out of your mind but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them
We’re out of our minds but different from them
We’re different from them

What do you think of “Zitti e buoni”? Will it work at Eurovision? Comment below.

Follow all of our Italy Eurovision 2021 news.

@wiwibloggs_officialTwo angles of @damianomaneskin in action with ##maneskin at ##eurovision. ##maneskinedit

♬ ZITTI E BUONI (Eurovision Version) – Måneskin

22 Comments
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Tanisha
Tanisha
2 years ago

The most iconic part was when they proceeded to break so many rules after they won. They sang the original with coglioni and che chazzo and then proceeded to show their support to the lgbtq community when all the male members kissed on stage.

Anna
Anna
2 years ago

When are you going to correct the lyrics of Zitti e buoni? It is NOT “Voi siete sporchi” (second line), it’s “Vestiti sporchi”. The translation should be “Dirty clothes, bro, with mud / cig stains between (MY) fingers” and so on. It’s not “You”, it’s himself.
You don’t need to take my word for it, just check the official Eurovision website.

Milan
Milan
2 years ago
Reply to  Anna

Obviously never. Its September now.

Espen
Espen
2 years ago

Thank you a lot handsome Cristian
Italian always something “Amore” in the vocal Norwegian, so Thank You! 🙂

strange norwegian
strange norwegian
2 years ago

ima ima fallen angel no matter where my heart is theres no way ill ever reach up to heaven for you

Not strange Norwegian at all!
Not strange Norwegian at all!
2 years ago

Omg This person is so cool!!!

Dot
Dot
2 years ago

Great performance! They sing amazing!

gabriela
gabriela
2 years ago

So so glad Italy won ! Just listen to them on YouTube ,they won Sanremo festival this year with the same song! They really deserve it!

Karen E Oliver-Paull
Karen E Oliver-Paull
2 years ago

This is the first Eurovision Song Contest Winner I’ve ever enjoyed hearing. Well done to Maneskin!

Maverick stirkis
2 years ago

I’m almost 60 now and I think they are a breath of fresh air for Euro. Maneskin didn’t need Xfactor or Simon Watever(deliberate). They have all the attributes of a modern philosophy and buckets of both sex and charm with an amazing vocalist/front man.Rock and roll is alive andwell andlliving in Italy. From on old goth/punk feeling 18.lol

Loes
2 years ago

Hi! I am 62 and voted several times to have them win. They gave me goose bumps. Cannot wait to see them live. They have all I need in a band! So glad these things still happen. I feel the same as when I first heard Nirvana!! Love it!!!

Rock n roll
Rock n roll
2 years ago

Rock n roll never dies \m/

Lea
Lea
2 years ago

Funny thing is: They did actually compete in the Italian X Factor 😀

swaegkuh
swaegkuh
2 years ago

i’m 15 and reading this makes me so happy and hopeful :))

Wwanita
Wwanita
2 years ago

I am 52 and I love them and voted for them. The Italian language at its best! Everything was perfect! When I read the text afterwards I also realise what a good text it is!!!!

Lola
Lola
2 years ago

As someone who is 20 years old I think they really represent our generation and I would say it’s kinda revolutionary because I haven’t felt to be as represented by any artist as I feel I am with them. I was a fan even before the Sanremo festival (and no I’m not Italian!) but I did absolutely not expect them to win (I wanted them to of course). People should not underestimate them because their live energy is just amazing and Damiano’s voice is always on point. I think it’s time for rock to win again and to spread a… Read more »

Eileen
Eileen
2 years ago
Reply to  Lola

Hey, fellow 20y/o here! While I absolutely agree with everything you said and am a huge fan of Måneskin as well, I just wanna add that they’re definitely not the only ones representing our generation well! It might not be your cup of tea, but the current successful and rising kpop groups have incredible lyrics which represent, support and most importantly understand our generation and our struggles perfectly! They were the first to really make me feel at home and understood with their lyrics. You might wanna check it out, there is pop, rock, hip hop, ballads etc. Though I… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Eileen
Eurofan
Eurofan
3 years ago

New Romantics meet Glam Rock…after watching over 20 hours of Sanremo this year let’s face it, it was a weak year with few memorable songs. Maneskin have thrust, attitude and a look…good luck to them. Perhaps not a winner of ESC2021 but a good thrill ride – this is more authentic than Finland.

So we have multiple hard rock songs and multiple pop-bangers but only one poem from the soul, France. Barbara Pravi shines like a diamond and represents France’s best chance to win ESC in 30 years.

Ariel
Ariel
3 years ago

My winners! I think they are the only ones that don’t need an audience, Damiano can put on a show for sure!

Last edited 3 years ago by Ariel
Stella
Stella
3 years ago

A typical Maneskin song. It sounds like a twist on their song Moriro da re, especially with that repetitive chorus. I personally like this song, I don’t think it will win, but it’s one of my favourites. I hope the singer mixes it up for the next performance, he should add a little something in the chorus so it doesn’t sound the same all the time. When he sings the “…ma diversi da loro” part, he could do a little variation on it.

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago

can someone please explain the format to me i don’t have a clue what’s going on lmao

Espurr
Espurr
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

The format of the lyrics and it’s English translation? I can answer that for ya! im learning Italian and what I’ve noticed that a lot of words are combined (or well I guess that we just use more words lol). Sentence structures are also different. But here in the lyrics the format got messed up because of this sentence “E tu sei fuori di testa ma diversa da loro” it’s longer in English and needed an extra row. Same goes for the sentence “Parla non sa di che cosa parla”. So in the end everything moved a few rows down… Read more »