Il bello [English translation]

Handsome, in his Sunday best

handsome, with Brylcreem1 in his hair

handsome, with shiny black shoes

and the gait of a bad boy

and bitter laughter in his mouth...

Women tremble when I ride my Gilera2

they quiver, waiting in the dance hall3

they are in agony, waiting for me

to give them a knowing nod,

to hold them tight and dip them.

In all modesty... olé!

Then I make up my mind and I walk through the crowd

I invite the prettiest girl with a whistle,

she collapses in my arms, poor gal,

the smell of Brylcreem

is the perfume of love.

And while a tango softly files

I whisper "Baby, what's your name?"

and she answers in a sweet voice "Sguazzinelli Argia4,

I live down the street,

street number's 123."

Right, I forgot. Olé!

Handsome, with that motion - olé - of the hips,

handsome, in the mad whirl of the dance,

handsome, with his velvety gaze,

his furrowed brow 5

and sensuality in his heart!

I hold her tight in a spasmodic embrace

and in the spasm a rib breaks

but who cares, since I'm almost a legend

this is the minimum price

a woman has to pay.

I'm fatal! Olé!

The violin falls silent, the guitar falls silent

I've had enough of love, I throw her back on the bench

the pain is making her cry, poor gal,

she'll never forget

the smell of Brylcreem.

And while the dark night reigns

I swiftly jump back on my Gilera

for tonight I have loved enough and I'm tired

I can't stay up

all night because

I'm anaemic! Olé!

1. hair wax, pomade2. motorcycle3. A "balera" is an old-fashioned dance hall for ballroom dancing 4. A ridiculously old-fashioned and uncool name, even for 1970s Italy5. Lit. his frowny lip

• Artist:Francesco Guccini
• Album:Opera buffa