Not long ago, we added several albums by this towering Italian artist, who, before becoming the renowned composer, lyricist, and performer we know today, had originally set his sights on a career in law. While the world of justice may have lost a lawyer, the arts have, since 1974, witnessed the emergence of Paolo Conte, an artist capable of seamlessly weaving Italian, French, and English into his work as his artistic vision demanded.
With a jubilant and unapologetic delight in crafting his lyrics, Conte released his first album in 1974. He quickly gained recognition in his homeland, but his international acclaim began in 1979 with Un Gelato al Limone (Lemon Ice Cream). Imagine, for a moment, an entire song dedicated to lemon ice cream. It might never occur to you to compose such an ode, yet in Italy, where lemon ice cream is revered by aficionados like Conte, this song not only charms but leaves listeners adoring the dessert while grinning at its whimsy.
A poet imbued with profound humanist sensibilities, Conte captures moments and situations, occasionally indulging in intellectual flights of fancy. Politically engaged on the left and a staunch advocate for freedom, he is a man of rich complexity. Beyond his celebrated musical talents, he is also a fascinating painter, as showcased in a dedicated exhibit at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence.
“I have already confessed that the vice of painting and drawing predates music and songwriting in my life. While composing music stirs and excites me, painting and drawing bring me calm and lightness.” – Paolo Conte
His early albums, dating from the mid-1970s, offer a lighthearted listen today, likely shaped by the commercial pressures of his record label at the time. What began as a pop-inflected style later evolved into a sophisticated blend of jazz and world music, infused with a deep theatricality. Understanding Italian is unnecessary to appreciate his artistry—he can be compared to artists like Léo Ferré, both enthusiastic poets and captivating performers.
One of Conte’s many charms lies in his willingness to revisit and rearrange his songs over the decades, many of which are cherished by an ever-expanding audience. To many Europeans, Conte is a cultural icon whose appeal spans generations. Always collaborating with the finest musicians, his music, like his lyrics, evolves in rhythm with his relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. His internationally celebrated hits—Via Con Me, Boogie, Azzurro, to name but a few—could fill the pages of a dictionary with their enduring success.
In today’s world, boldness demands a dialogue between past and present, a balance that Paolo Conte embodies. A quintessential artist of both the 20th and 21st centuries, he remains a vital figure in European art—an artist to be discovered or rediscovered.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move/ABS magazine
Bayou Blue Radio
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