The Class of ’68 was a phenomenon in Italian soccer, with their impressive performances in the 1968 European Cup and their incredible showing in the 1970 World Cup. It has since become a symbol of Italian soccer excellence and has been immortalized in Francesco De Gregori’s song, La Leva Calcistica Della Classe ’68.
The Class of ’68 Soccer Phenomenon
The Class of ’68 was an incredibly talented group of Italian soccer players. They first made their mark in the 1968 European Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, only to be eliminated by the eventual champions, England. They continued their success in the 1970 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals again and were only eliminated by the eventual champions, Brazil. The Class of ’68 was composed of some of the greatest players of the era, including Gianni Rivera, Luigi Riva, and Giacinto Facchetti.
Francesco De Gregori: A Musical Tribute
In 2007, Italian singer-songwriter Francesco De Gregori released La Leva Calcistica Della Classe ’68, a song dedicated to the Class of ’68 and their incredible achievements. The song is a tribute to the team’s spirit, passion, and dedication to the game of soccer. It is an uplifting and inspirational song, with lyrics that capture the essence of the team and the spirit of soccer.
The Class of ’68 is a symbol of Italian soccer excellence, and Francesco De Gregori’s song La Leva Calcistica Della Classe ’68 is a fitting tribute to their incredible achievements. The song captures the spirit and passion of the team and serves as an inspiring reminder of their legacy.
Francesco De Gregori’s ‘La Leva Calcistica Della Classe 68’ is a stunning meditation on football, love, and life in Italy in the late 1960s. Released in June of 1973, this song quickly became one of De Gregori’s most beloved hits and is still a classic today.
‘La Leva Calcistica Della Classe 68’ is composed of two verses and a bridge, each beginning with a thoughtful description of Roman football. De Gregori’s lyrical simplicity highlights the beauty of the spectacle of the game: the sky is blue, the grass is green, and the young players, excited, run on the field “like a swallow”.
However, De Gregori’s narrative is not limited to the pitch. As the verses progress, his small, personal details get increasingly more intimate and powerful. In the first verse, he explains how the boys play with all of their heart, and in the second, he notes that one of them is a boy he loves. By painting a broader picture of these young players, De Gregori reveals complex emotions regarding life in Italy in the late 1960s.
The bridge of ‘La Leva Calcistica Della Classe 68’ is particularly significant, as it links the physical and emotional elements of the song. Here, De Gregori notes that although the aim of the game is to win, “in life there is no final score”. He then comments on the ‘68 class, and how despite their differences they still fight together, united by a common goal. This section of the bridge is particularly powerful due to its reflection of the social conditions of the period, and how, even in the face of adversity, there is still a way to come together and accept each other’s differences.
All in all, ‘La Leva Calcistica Della Classe 68’ is a timeless classic by Francesco De Gregori, combining his characteristic tenderness for true stories with a reflective and intimate approach to a complicated moment in Italian history. The track will continue to be a beloved masterpiece of Italian songwriting for many years to come.