I think one of the best ways to get to know a person is to listen to them. Not only what they have to say, but how they feel. People use music to express what they can’t express with words, and those that don’t make their own music find ones that associate with their moods, thoughts, or personality. At least, this is why I like to post certain songs from time to time: to show people what I cannot tell them.

One of my favorites lately is Nek’s new single, La voglia che non vorrei (The Desire I Don’t Want). For me, sonically, it’s one of those songs that just leaves me frozen. It sounds so distantly familiar, and perhaps that’s what I like best about it.
Even without listening to the lyrics, you can feel the range of emotions behind it: the gentleness, the rage, the subtle tone of resignment in his voice. But there is something so incredibly settling and comforting about it, like somebody’s gently cradling you after a long cry.

Testo italiano

So la parte che mi fai
diversa come tante
Che sorriso in mente hai
Ho i sensi deboli
e pensi che non tremi

Io lo so che sguardo naviga
al largo di quegli occhi
so che scioglierà
come fumo l’incantesimo

Ma poi mi brucia dentro
la tua sete, il mio tormento

Sei l’unica voglia che non vorrei
ti ho vista piangere su di me
ma sono il tuo passato ormai

So la colpa che ti dai
qui dietro la mia porta
quale scusa inventerai
Stai di vetro in un replay
un sole che tramonta
ma non lo fai

Tu senza più confini
stella persa tra i miei celi

Sei l’unica voglia che non vorrei
ti ho vista piangere su di me
ma sono il tuo passato ormai
È una follia!
Ma ogni singolo gesto che fai
e questo incantesimo andrà via
ora che non sei più mia

So che il fuoco splendido
lo accendi e dura poco
so che scioglierò
io per primo l’incantesimo

Sei l’unica voglia che non vorrei
ti ho vista piangere su di me
ma sono già lontano ormai
Sei la follia!
E ogni singolo gesto che fai
e questo incantesimo andrà via
ora che non sei più mia

Ora che non sei più mia

And with a lot of help from Francesco and Xenia, I was able to piece together what I hope is an accurate English translation.

English translation

I know the part you act out in front of me,
multifarious, like all the others
What a smile you have in mind
My senses are weak
And you think that I’m not trembling…

I know the look that swims
deep behind those eyes
I know that it will dissolve
like smoke–the spell

But then, it will burn me from inside
Your thirst, my pain

You are the only desire I do not want
I have seen you crying over me
but I am your past now

I know the guilt you give to yourself
here outside my door
Which excuse will you invent?
You stay like glass in a replay,
a sun that sets…
only you don’t

You, without any boundaries
star lost within my skies

You are the only desire I do not want
I have seen you crying over me
but I am your past now
It is madness!
But any little gesture you make
and this spell will dissipate
now that you are no longer mine

I know that a brilliant flame
does not last long once you light it
I know that I will dissolve
I, the first one–the spell

You are the only desire I do not want
I have seen you crying over me
but I am already far into the distance now
You are the madness!
And any little gesture you make
and this spell will dissipate
now that you are no longer mine

Now that you are no longer mine