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About Con Le Mie Lacrime by The Rolling Stones (As Tears Go By version sung in Italian)
Con la ricchezza io potrei/ Comprare quello che vorrei…
More about Con Le Mie Lacrime by The Rolling Stones
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
The Rolling Stones in Italian: A Baroque Twist on a Classic
In a bold and unexpected move, in 1966 The Rolling Stones released an Italian-language version of As Tears Go By titled Con Le Mie Lacrime. This wasn’t just a simple translation—it was a reimagining, wrapped in a completely new arrangement. Gone was the folk-centered sound of the original 1965 single. In its place was a more refined, baroque-inspired approach, led by a delicate harpsichord that evoked shades of Lady Jane. Recorded at RCA Studios and arranged by Mike Leander alongside Keith Richards, this version had its own unique backing track, separating it musically from the original. While the lyrics were translated by composer Dante ‘Danpa’ Panzuti—who had previously adapted Beatles songs into Italian—this effort remained remarkably faithful in tone and spirit. The result was a hauntingly elegant rendition that retained the emotional weight of the original, but gave it a fresh European flair.
A Nod to Italy, Twice Over
Though Con Le Mie Lacrime never reached the success of its English counterpart, it earned its place in the hearts of Italian fans. The Stones acknowledged this rare gem decades later by performing it live not once, but twice in Italy—first in Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium in 2006, and again in Lucca in 2017. These performances weren’t just nostalgic throwbacks; they were heartfelt gestures to a country that has long embraced the Stones’ music. The song’s sophisticated feel, anchored by its baroque touches and the poetic cadence of the Italian language, stands out as one of the most unusual curiosities in their catalog—proof that even rock legends aren’t afraid to experiment with elegance.
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