Short Description
Guardami Guardami channels anger and self-rejection in the face of illness. It explores the pain of identity distortion and the drive toward self-redemption: “This isn’t me… but it is.”
Artist Reflections
Illness doesn’t just affect the body, it fractures our sense of self. Guardami Guardami speaks to the anger and rejection we often direct inward when we no longer recognize ourselves. The body weakens, beauty fades, and with them can go a sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth. This song explores that collision between who we once were and who we are becoming, and the painful realization that the two must coexist.
The repeated line “Do not feel sorry for me” isn’t defiance: it’s a plea for dignity. For the right to be seen fully, even in fragility. In many ways, it’s a fight against the pity that tries to reduce us to our suffering.
The metaphor of the falling leaves is central to this piece. Like a tree stripped bare in winter, we sometimes feel exposed, lifeless, no longer who we were. The image also echoes the quiet, painful shedding that comes with chemotherapy, when hair falls away. But leaves do not disappear, they rest at the bottom; they may nourish the roots, and quietly prepare the way for spring. There is grief in the transformation, but also the hope of something after. Of choosing a new dress, a new self, not despite the loss, but through it.
Credits
Composer: Francesca Pichierri
Lyricist: Francesca Pichierri
Arrangement: Francesca Pichierri and Stefano Iuso
Produced and recorded by: Francesca Pichierri and Stefano Iuso
Vocals: Francesca Pichierri
Keyboards: Francesca Pichierri
Bass: Francesca Pichierri and Stefano Iuso
Drums: Francesca Pichierri and Stefano Iuso
Electric guitar: Stefano Iuso
Synths & virtual instruments: Francesca Pichierri and Stefano Iuso
Sound fingerprints and foley recordings: Francesca Pichierri
Mixed by: Simone Ferrero
Mastered by: Giovanni Versari
Artwork: Dominic Thiel and Francesca Pichierri
Photography: Dominic Thiel
Graphic Design: Dominic Thiel
Video credits: Dominic Thiel
Lyrics
(English translation below)
GUARDAMI GUARDAMI
Che vuoi da me?
Portarmi giù? (Nel buio)
Guarda che
Io io io io
Non ho più
Paura
Verrà quel momento
L’incanto
Di rinascere
Verrà
Verrà quel momento
Il tempo
di stare bene
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Guardami oh guardami
Sei tutto ciò che non sono
Guardami oh guardami
La rabbia che mi fai!
Apri gli occhi perché
La pietà fa male
Quando crede che
Per me e te non c’è più una
Cura
C’è un oltre alla nudità
Scegli
Un vestito nuovo
Cura
Se il vento ha spazzato le foglie
Le raccoglierò
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Guardami oh guardami
Sei tutto ciò che non sono
Guardami oh guardami
La rabbia che mi fai!
No don’t feel sorry for me
Get up now
Get up now
Get up now
Don’t feel sorry for me
Guardami oh guardami
Sei tutto ciò che non sono
Guardami guardami
Sei tutto ciò che non
Sono
__________
Lyrics (English translation)
LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME
What do you want from me?
Do you want to bring me down? (Into the dark)
Look, I, I, I, I
I no longer have
Fear
That moment will come
The enchantment
Of rebirth
It will come
That moment will come
The time
I will feel good again
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Look at me, oh look at me
You are everything I am not
Look at me, oh look at me
The anger you cause me!
Open your eyes because
Pity hurts
When it believes that
For me and you, there’s no longer
A cure
There’s more beyond nakedness
Choose
A new dress
Heal
If the wind has swept away the leaves
I will gather them
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Leaves rest at the bottom
Like a bare tree, here I stay
Leaves rest at the bottom
Do not feel sorry for me
Look at me, oh look at me
You are everything I am not
Look at me, oh look at me
The anger you cause me!
No don’t feel sorry for me
Get up now
Get up now
Get up now
Don’t feel sorry for me
Look at me, oh look at me
You are everything I am not
Look at me, look at me
You are everything
I am not