Centro De Gravedad

Franco Battiato's song 'Centro De Gravedad' delves into the quest for emotional and intellectual stability amidst the ever-changing landscape of society and personal beliefs. The lyrics paint vivid images of diverse characters and scenes, ranging from an old woman in Madrid to Jesuit priests dressed as Buddhist monks, suggesting a world rich in variety and cultural intersections. These images serve as a backdrop to the central theme of seeking a permanent center of gravity, a metaphor for a stable point of view that remains unaffected by the transient trends and opinions.

Battiato expresses a clear disdain for fleeting cultural trends such as certain fashions and music styles, including 'false rock music' and 'the English punkie.' His critique is not just of the music but of the ephemeral nature of popular culture that influences people's thoughts and lifestyles. This rejection is encapsulated in the chorus, where he repeatedly seeks a 'permanent center of gravity' that prevents him from changing his views on 'things' and 'people' repeatedly, highlighting his desire for consistency and depth in a superficial world.

The song's refrain, 'Over and over again,' emphasizes the ongoing struggle to maintain this constancy in beliefs amidst external changes. It reflects a universal human desire to find an anchor in beliefs or values that provide a sense of identity and continuity. Battiato's use of both Italian and Spanish in the lyrics also symbolizes the blending of different cultural elements, mirroring the global search for personal and cultural grounding in a rapidly globalizing world.