Achille Lauro’s “Unconscious Young”: A Song of Adolescent Struggle
Achille lauro’s Sanremo competition entry, “Unconscious Young,” is more than just a song; its a powerful reflection on the complexities of adolescence. In a letter addressed to journalists, Lauro, who signs the letter as “S.”,delves into the personal experiences that inspired the deeply moving lyrics.
A Love Story Rooted in Vulnerability
The letter paints a poignant picture of Lauro’s early life. As a “magrolino teenager” with shaved hair and a troubled past, he found solace in songwriting. The letter describes a love story between Lauro and another individual,highlighting their shared experiences of teenage angst and the difficulties they faced together.
“We were very young when we fell in love,” the letter reads. “I lived alone with my mother,and he often came to us. We helped him so much when he was alone, for my mother he was like a son.”
Lauro’s love interest emphasizes his struggle to cope with past trauma, revealing how writing became his outlet for processing emotions. “Lauro has always tried to hide his trauma. He holds them inside. This is perhaps why she writes songs. He learned to suffer in silence. I understood it. My mother and I had left too,” the letter states
The Price of Silence
The letter unveils a powerful truth about Lauro’s character: his reluctance to lean on others despite facing immense hardship. “Also in those homeless years, Lauro never asked me for help. He was ashamed. He slept where it happened: I remember that dilapidated hotel with a star in Boccea, who hated, and that old gray Peugeot 206,” the letter reveals.
Despite his struggles, Lauro came to be seen as a sensitive soul by those who knew him. “Late at night,when everyone returned,he said: ‘Don’t worry,I’m from a freind’. but then he ended up sleeping in the car hidden in some parking lots. I will never forget what our unconscious adolescence was and I will always be in love with that dreamer boy. Despite being a challenging boy, whoever managed to overcome the rock discovered a precious sensitivity. Perhaps precisely what he still manages to put in those songs that still speak of us, like this,” the letter concludes.
The Enduring Impact of Vulnerability
“Unconscious Young” stands as a testament to the power of vulnerability in art. Lauro’s willingness to share his experiences, both the joys and the sorrows, resonates deeply with listeners.The song reminds us that even in our darkest moments,there is beauty and strength to be found in embracing our authentic selves.
By sharing his story, Lauro invites us to reflect on our own experiences of adolescence and to recognize the global struggles that connect us all. His song is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of pain and uncertainty, there is always hope for healing and growth.
