Song meaning of Merlo rosso by Mannarino

The lyrics of the song "Merlo Rosso" by Mannarino, featuring Claudia Angelucci, tell the story of a red blackbird ("merlo rosso") that used to sing only for itself. However, one day it saw the narrator crying, with lips blackened from drinking tears. The blackbird witnesses the bustling streets filled with people going to celebrate, but also comes across a dying rose. Moved by its sight, the blackbird takes a thorn and removes the rot from the rose, offering it as a gift to a girl who had lost her eyesight in a bad night. 

The song's interpretation revolves around the idea that tears from the depths of despair serve a purpose. They nourish the earth and make a rose grow. The return of the rose brings back the girl's smile, symbolizing the restoration of hope and joy. The blackbird's sacrifice, breaking its own chest to bring the rose to the girl, suggests the transformative power of selflessness and empathy. 

The contrasting images of the cold night and the narrator riding the wave while the blackbird remains in the undertow creates a sense of longing and connection. Hearing the blackbird sing from hell evokes conflicting emotions, as it induces both a smile and tears. The lyrics ultimately convey the message that even in the darkest moments, there is still beauty and hope to be found.