• Voto:
L'inizio di quest'album ha un ritmo pesante e un testo aggressivo: "Va', trova quello che stai cercando / Va', mi hai persa, questo è sicuro / Non ti voglio nemmeno come amico" ("Go!"). Lei stessa, Melanie C, sa che deve andare, per "trovare un'altra direzione". Questo disco ci racconta alcuni dei momenti in cui il rapporto tra due persone si deteriora: "Non ti lascerò rovinare un altro giorno / Dici che sei preso da me, ma dov'eri la notte scorsa? / Non ho tempo per l'amarezza, voglio andare via da tutto questo" ("Be the One") e l'età dell'innocenza sembra già finita.
Uscito nel 1999, "Northern Star" è il primo album solista di Melanie Chisholm, che all'epoca faceva ancora parte delle Spice Girls, il complessino nel quale era entrata a vent'anni, ottenendo un successo planetario fin dal primo singolo. Ma il successo costa, a volte, e Melanie l'avrebbe pagato al prezzo della bulimia e con il risultato di deturpare il suo fisico di ragazza sportiva, oltre che pepata. Come una premonizione di quanto sarebbe successo di lì a poco, "Northern Star" è il tentativo di trovare la rotta, come facevano gli antichi naviganti orientandosi con la stella polare.
La title-track è una ballata malinconica, a ben guardare la tristezza si cela nel fondo del brano: "Comprano i tuoi sogni così possono vendere la tua anima / C'è da meravigliarsi se abbiamo perso il controllo?". E "Goin' Down" serve a scaricare la rabbia per un'altra relazione finita male: "Come ho fatto a non accorgermi che ti stavi prendendo gioco di me? / Che cosa potrò fare per vendicarmi?", e la voce di Melanie non è più la stessa, è distorta in studio, deturpata anch'essa.
Questo album conserva la sua doppia natura, può essere ascoltato come una collezione di hit (ce ne sono almeno cinque o sei) o può essere visto come un diario personale dove i sentimenti, anche quelli crudi e dolorosi, sono messi in piazza senza falsi pudori né ipocrisia. Il ventaglio è ampio, c'è spazio anche per lo sguardo agli altri, come in "If That Were Me", brano che descrive con tratti delicati ma efficaci la condizione degli homeless, e i cui proventi vennero donati a un'associazione di beneficenza per i senzatetto. Era il quinto singolo tratto dall'album: un album di successo per Melanie, e una tappa importante nel suo percorso personale per trovare l'orientamento.
Elenco tracce testi e video
02 Northern Star (04:41)
They tried to catch a falling star.
Thinking that she had gone too far.
She did but kept it hidden well.
Until she cracked and then she fell.
If all the history is true.
She's gonna end up just like you.
You made it to the other side.
But tell me who will be my guide.
They build you up so they can tear you down.
Trust the ocean you'll never drown.
Who is next? Who's gonna steal your crown?
You'll see.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't give in to their lies and goodbyes.
Northern Star.
Fulfil the longing in your heart.
Then we will never be apart.
And if they dare to question you.
Just tell them that our love is true.
They buy your dreams so they can sell your soul.
Is it any wonder we've lost control?
Feelings come, feelings go.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
(Melanie Chisholm/Rick Nowels)
03 I Turn to You (06:01)
When the world is darker than I can understand.
When nothing turns out the way I planned.
When the sky turns grey and there's no end in sight.
When I can't sleep through the lonely night.
I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.
When my insides are wracked with anxiety.
You have the touch that will quiet me.
You lift my spirit. You melt the ice.
When I need inspiration, when I need advice.
I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.
Where would I be? What would I do?
If you'd never helped me through.
I hope someday if you've lost your way.
You could turn to me like I turn to you.
I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.
I turn to you. When fear tells me to turn around.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you. I turn to you. I turn to you.
(Melanie Chisholm/Rick Nowels/Billy Steinberg)
06 Ga Ga (03:50)
I don't want your adoration.
Don't want your train stoppin' at my station.
You hurt me and I'm grateful.
I never ever felt anything stranger.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
People say that it's insane.
We love to feel the pain.
And it hurts. Yes it hurts.
Let it hurt.
I don't want emotional hassle.
I just want another bite of the apple.
Dark thoughts need satisfaction.
We're gonna crash. Let's make it happen.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
People say that it's insane.
We always go for pain.
And it hurts. Yes it hurts.
Let it hurt.
This will never be over.
And you will always be mine.
You've gotta feed my hunger baby.
I am ready to dine.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
Ga ga (Ga ga). Crazy (Crazy).
Foolish for wanting you.
Ga ga (Ga ga). Crazy (And I'm crazy).
Foolish for wanting you.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts.
(Melanie Chisholm/Phil Thornalley/Dave Munday)
Carico i commenti... con calma
