Gianna Nannini is coming to Switzerland for two concerts. She talks to blue News about her German language skills, her scandalous cover "America" with the Statue of Liberty and dildo - and her life as a mother and rock star.
With freshly washed and tousled hair, Gianna Nannini sits in front of her laptop. When blue News reaches the Italian, she is in London working on her new album.
She has had her albums produced in England for many years, as Nannini says that the British have the edge when it comes to album production technology. She will soon be going on tour.
Gianna, you will soon be performing live in Zurich (December 1) and Geneva (December 2). What connects you to Switzerland?
As a child, my parents took me to Switzerland to go skiing. I also went mountaineering on the Corvatsch and other peaks. I also associate it with the beautiful flower decorations on the windows.
A beautiful memory. Did you learn a bit of German during those years?
I know a few curse words (laughs). No, seriously: I really like the language, I sang two songs by Brecht/Weill in German in Hamburg in 1987. However, my German sounds like that of an Italian tourist.
How do you keep fit for the stage?
I do triathlon, I've also taken part in a competition. You have to breathe properly to be able to get through a concert vocally. And when you train for triathlon, you also work on your breathing. That's my medicine.
You took part in a competition, how was that?
I came first!
Congratulations!
I put in a super sprint in Barcelona and also won. Yes, but I have to say that I competed alone in my category. I only told my assistant that I had won - and only told her a month later. That was great fun! I'm currently training for a sprint next year. Maybe I'll come to Switzerland for a triathlon, but it's so cold here - and I'm afraid of Lake Zurich.
One of your biggest hits is called "America" and can be heard on the album "California" from 1979. On the album cover, the American Statue of Liberty is enthroned, holding a vibrator in her hand. This caused some controversy.
"America" is about masturbation, the subjugation of women and the fact that people always look to America and think everything is cooler there, the music and the films.
But the cover was intended as a provocation?
I always designed the album covers during my album productions. First and foremost, they have to reflect my emotions at that moment. But yes, "America" was a provocation, it's about the subjugation of Italy after the Atlantic Pact, which still exists. But we don't have to orient ourselves towards America and its culture at all. We have our own musical philosophy, our own rock and blues.
You'll soon be on stage in Switzerland. Do you have a ritual before you start?
I always do a few minutes of Qigong to focus.
Is your daughter coming on tour with you? Penelope is twelve years old now.
No, she stays at home. She's big and has to go to school. At first she thinks the tour life is cool, being driven around and eating out. But after a while she gets tired of it. Besides, I want her to live her own life.
A life with a famous mother.
Yes, I wouldn't want a famous mother like me. I make sure that it's not important to her what I do. I don't want a daughter who is too attached to me. When she was younger and people always wanted selfies with me, she would cling to my legs, cry and scream, "That's my mom all by herself." It bothered her. Today she takes the selfies.
Does Penelope have a favorite song of yours?
She knows all my songs and likes them all. A favorite song? That's a difficult question. Maybe "Io e te", the song was written during my pregnancy, she practically heard it in her womb.
And idols?
She likes Taylor Swift, I'm a fan of hers too. But idols? Her mom is her idol (laughs).
Gianna, which song is perfect in your eyes?
"My Way" by Sid Vicous. It doesn't sound so good when translated into Italian, which is a shame.
Gianna Nannini will be performing at the Hallenstadion Zurich on December 1, 2022 and at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva on December 2. You can find more information here.