The song 'Triangolo' by Renato Zero explores the theme of a love triangle, capturing the confusion and jealousy that stem from an unexpected third presence in a romantic encounter. The protagonist initially seeks a one-on-one evening with a partner, only to be met with the surprise of an additional person. The repeated enquiry 'Lui chi è?' ('Who is he?') highlights the protagonist's bafflement and the ensuing complexity of emotions as they navigate this unusual situation.
In 'Triangolo', the emotional journey starts with anticipation as the protagonist makes plans for an intimate evening, setting up the atmosphere with music and drinks. This initial feeling of excitement is abruptly disrupted upon facing an unexpected 'third wheel'. The confusion and disbelief are palpable as the protagonist repeatedly asks 'Who is he?' trying to understand why their partner brought another person along.
The protagonist's emotions intensify when they face the reality of the situation. They feel betrayed, suspecting that their relationship may not be as exclusive as they thought. The song vividly portrays the protagonist's internal struggle with the concept of a threesome, which they had not considered before ('The triangle, no, I had not considered it'), indicating a mix of curiosity and discomfort. The protagonist is forced to rethink the boundaries and possibilities of their relationship.
As the song progresses, the protagonist's emotions veer between rejection and acceptance. They express a clear discomfort with the new dynamic, questioning the other person's role and why they are a part of the evening. However, a sense of adventurousness creeps in, with the protagonist ultimately acknowledging that they might reconsider the idea ('But the triangle, I would do it again') despite initial resistance.
The journey concludes with ambiguity and openness to new experiences. An undertone of excitement underlies the confusion and annoyance, suggesting that the protagonist might be intrigued by this unconventional setup. There's a hint of playful acceptance as they seemed to be tentatively embracing the notion, however with a lingering sense of uncertainty and concern about what this could mean for their relationship.
"L'indirizzo ce l'ho / Rintracciarti non è un problema / Ti telefonerò / Ti offrirò una serata strana"
These opening lines set the scene for the planned intimate evening, expressing the protagonist's intention to reach out and offer a 'strange' or unique night, which foreshadows the unexpected twist of the love triangle.
"Lui chi è? Come mai l'hai portato con te?"
The protagonist expresses surprise and confusion upon discovering their partner's company. This line captures the main emotional thrust of the song—the shock and questioning of the partner's motives behind the introduction of a third person.
"Mentre io rischierei / Di trovarmi al buio fra le braccia lui / Non è il mio tipo"
These lines convey the protagonist's apprehension and dilemma. They risk ending up intimately with the third person, who is not their type, which emphasizes their reservations about the situation.
"Il triangolo, no / Non l'avevo considerato / D'accordo, ci proverò / La geometria, non è un reato"
In these lyrics, the protagonist undergoes a transformation from resistance to tentative acceptance of the love triangle concept, using geometry as a metaphor to highlight that exploring new relationship dynamics is not a crime.