The subject of Gianfranco Malorgio’s “Greaseball” is human migration, the piece looking at the historical experiences of Italian immigrants while at the same time covering the situations of people who have been displaced throughout the world. The song forms a trilogy which started with “WOP” and then moved on to “An Immigrant’s Story”. The title is important since the word in question has in the past been used as an ethnic slur against Italians and their descendants, thus linking the work to a history of discrimination that went hand in hand with migration.
Hardship, war, and other crises form the foundation of the composition’s central theme. Since such experiences may cause people to leave their familiar environment in order to seek a different future, migration becomes a topic that extends well beyond national boundaries. The idea expressed in ‘Greaseball’ takes into account the extent of Italian emigration while at the same time acknowledging that displacement is not something limited to one nationality. This wider view provides the single with a clear thematic focus by connecting a particular historical experience with the difficulties encountered by migrant communities in other places.
Malorgio is responsible for composing the music and playing the synthesizer, whereas Moreno Viglione provides the guitar and takes charge of the production, mixing, and mastering. This information clearly shows the various creative roles involved in the recording without hiding the subject matter that underlies it. The song was conceived with the possibility of being adapted into a film in view of its intended use in synchronization with visual projects. Because of its association with possible use in films, the composition is situated within a context that also includes soundtracks and documentaries, in which music accompanies stories about people, places and historical experiences.
Since it is the final piece in the trilogy, “Greaseball” combines the themes of migration, prejudice and the consequences of being driven from one’s home. The historical significance of its title provides an additional dimension to the subject, showing how language can carry the burden of discrimination from one generation to another. By linking the history of Italian immigrants with that of migrants around the world, the film presents displacement as a common human issue and ends the trilogy by retaining its main theme.
