Ilalà ilalà… From the very first chant, Simone Cristicchi’s “Che Bella Gente” throws us into a carnival of irony. The title means “What lovely people,” yet the lyrics expose a crowd of gossips peeking from old shutters, always ready with pointed questions, loaded words, and metaphorical knives for your back. Cristicchi calls out this poison-tipped curiosity, comparing it to bullets of malice and reminding us that even Jesus was crucified by the judgments of “nice” onlookers. His solution is not violent payback but courageous authenticity: keep singing, stay in your place, and let them talk while you remain true to yourself.
In the second half, the songwriter flips the spotlight toward the so-called “madmen.” He praises these outsiders because they speak their minds, refuse blackmail, and never dilute their essence. Cristicchi urges the listener to dig past appearances, love people for who they really are, and never settle for surface impressions. Behind the playful refrain lies a sharp social lesson: choose sincerity over gossip, depth over judgment, and you will find loyalty that lasts “per sempre.”