American Music in Cagli
By Charlotte Sieggreen
Imagine Italy. What comes to mind? Most Americans would think of a wonderful country with so much to offer. The history is ancient, the nightlife fantastic, and the views amazing.
Foremost is the food. With real tomatoes and home-grown fruit, every meal is an experience for the taste buds. And what about the wine? It doesn’t have to be bought from a store or sold in bulk, but instead can be made in wineries and backyards all across the country. However, one thing isn’t homemade. And that is music. Italy’s bars, clubs, supermarkets, and radio stations are playing more American music than Italian, and the youth of Cagli are avid listeners.
Many young people say they listen to bands like Linkin Park, Hilary Duff, Brittany Spears, and Green Day. Others say bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Blink-182 (known in Italy as Blink cento ottanta due). They download music from the Internet or hear it on the radio.
Matteo Susini plays an American music radio station at his hair salon. He says that there is just one station, called the “Italian Station,” that plays just Italian music. All of the others play more music in English than in Italian. But why not Italian music? Some say that it is because it is much slower. It is romantic and lyrical, and many Italian young people like the upbeat pace of American hip hop. Susini says that most Italians love American music. Newer Italian artists are not copying American songs, but they are definitely inspired by them.
DJs tend to play techno and remixed songs.
Photos by Maggie Wilson
But the most common musical influence is MTV. The Italian MTV channel is much like the MTV of the 1990s. It plays music videos all day, instead of reality TV, and still serves the purpose of introducing the world to new and upcoming artists. However the music videos it plays are mostly American and in English. There are very few Italian songs played. So, not only are the sounds and lyrics of American songs being heard, the viewer is provided with visuals of the artists and dancers, acting out the words of the songs. Any Italian songs are surrounded by blocks of American videos. This bombardment by American music has led to an increase in popularity among Italian youth.
For example, picture an Italian bar. The unofficial CD changer, Luca Casseli, hits the play button as the small room is then filled with the sound of The Foundations. Male voices launch into an off-key version of “Build Me Up, Buttercup!” in voices Italian and American alike. Imagine seeing fully grown Italian men singing at the top of their lungs. Their other favorites on the CD include tracks by artists like Katy Perry, Rihanna, and The Beach Boys. These artists’ songs are belted out every night, and although the Italians may not know the meaning of the words, they definitely know how to sing along.
This love for American music isn't limited to the young. In a small house on top of a hill overlooking Cagli, Emidio Orazi and his family sit around their TV. What is the song streaming through their TV? Nothing other than the theme song of “Happy Days.” After being asked if he enjoys the music from “Happy Days,” Orazi points to his CD collection, which includes a boxed set of the Top 100 Jukebox Hits with songs by artists such as Three Dog Night and Elvis Presley.
American music serves a purpose beyond entertainment. It introduces the English language to people who may never hear it otherwise. It is taking what the children learn in their classrooms and applying it in a way that they can understand. When asked on the streets, many youth say they cannot understand the words they listen to, but that they can recognize them and oftentimes look them up and translate them into Italian. Susini believes that the youth learn English through music, but only after they study it in school for a little while.
Young Cagliese dance at a local bar.
This helpful tool, however, can also be a curse. Modern American hip-hop and rap artists often include lyrics that can be demeaning or give an improper impression of the American way of life. By hearing songs about promiscuous women, drugs, and drinking until passing out, Italians get a view of America that is not always accurate.
From the music, Italian men often assume is that American women are available and eager. American women are expected to be wild and crazy, lacking moral values. Supposedly, they will drink to excess, sleep with anyone who has a pulse, and not care about the consequences. Female Italians have a similar view of American women, and therefore have a hard time accepting American women as friends. They fear that American women will turn Cagliese men into mindless idiots who no longer want to try to woo the Italian women they have always known.
This incorrect stereotype can be changed, however. While no one can ever make American musical artists stop singing about sex, drugs, and alcohol, anyone can try to set limits on what Cagliese hear. For example, Casseli from Caffé del Corso says that he needs a new CD to play in his bar. This gift could be an easy way to improve the American image. The CD could include music that spoke highly of Americans with lyrics that do not distort the behavior of American women, or Americans in general.
Karaoke Night at a local Cagli Restaurant.
It is also possible to fix the image problem by not reinforcing the stereotype. Americans can behave in less objectionable ways. By not being bombarded by an incorrect image filled with drinking and sex, Italians can get a view of what Americans are really like. They can see a different side that is not provided to them by music videos and songs.
Also, it never hurts to talk to Italian women. Their only image of Americans is what they have heard or previously seen. While intimidating at first, Italian women will be much more accepting if they get a view of American women that does not include dirty dancing and their men.
American music is making a scene in Italy, and the youth, radio stations, and artists do not seem to have a problem with it. American music is being used as a teaching tool, inspiration, and a large source of income for broadcasting stations. Although this music can lead to stereotypes and cultural problems, these confusions can be solved with understanding, communication, and a little correction.
Web production by Sarah Gizzi
