His single "Here in My Heart" was number one in the first UK Singles Chart, published by the New Musical Express in 1952, putting him into the Guinness Book of World Records. The song stayed there for nine weeks. Al Martino has stated that Mario Lanza dropped his plans to record this song after he called Lanza in Los Angeles and explained that his own recording would be neglected if he did so.
One of the most successful Martino hits was "Spanish Eyes", achieving several gold and platinum discs for sales. Recorded in 1965, the song reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart when re-issued in 1973. Even today, this classic by composer Bert Kaempfert (his original title for the song was "Moon Over Naples") is among the 50 most-played songs worldwide. Another hit was "Volare", (also known as "Nel blu, Dipinto di Blu"). In 1976, it reached number one on the Italian and Flemish charts, and was in the Top Ten in Spain, The Netherlands and France, as well as in many other European countries.
In the U.S., Martino had eleven top 40 hits in the Billboard pop singles chart in the 1960s and 1970s, with 1963's "I Love You Because" (#3) and 1964's "I Love You More and More Every Day" (#9) both reaching the Top Ten. He also sang the title song for the film, "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964), and is credited in the end titles of the film.
Apart from singing, Martino played the role of Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather, as well as singing the film's theme, "Speak Softly Love". He played the same role in The Godfather Part III and The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980. He recently returned to acting, playing aging crooner Sal Stevens in the short film "Cutout", appearing in film festivals around the world in 2006.
When an artist is able to combine several important elements -- numerous international hit records, personal charisma, and a unique vocal style -- it inevitably leads to success. Known for such hits as "Spanish Eyes" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" in the 60's, Al Martino was in the midst of beginning his second career, which had already taken off with great momentum in the European market. Since the fall of 1993, Al Martino's songs had flooded the radio and television airwaves in Germany, and he consistently had sold-out concerts throughout the continent.
He continued to play to audiences in his later years around venues in the USA. Sadly he died on the 14th October 2009.
Spanish Eyes
Al Martino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
Please, please don't cry
This is just adios and not goodbye
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
Blue Spanish eyes
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
True Spanish eyes
Please smile at me once more before I go
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
You and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The song "Spanish Eyes" by Al Martino is a romantic ballad about a separation between two lovers. The lyrics speak of blue Spanish eyes and teardrops falling from them, expressing the sadness of the situation. The singer implores his lover not to cry, saying that it's just "adios" and not "goodbye," and promises to return soon to bring all the love her heart can hold. He asks her to say "si, si" and wait for him and his Spanish eyes to come back to her.
The song's lyrics evoke a sense of longing and sadness, as the singer is heading off but wishes he could stay. The phrase "blue Spanish eyes" refers to the color of the eyes of his lover, who is likely from Mexico, given the reference to the country later in the song, where the prettiest eyes in all of Mexico are supposedly found. The singer asks her to smile at him once more before he goes, expressing his desire to leave on a positive note.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt tribute to the love between two people and the sadness of separation, but also a promise of return and a hope for the future. The melody and lyrics combine to make a touching ballad that still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue Spanish eyes
Describing the color of someone's eyes as blue, who is of Spanish origin
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
The person is crying and their tears are falling from their Spanish eyes
Please, please don't cry
The singer is requesting the person not to cry
This is just adios and not goodbye
The artist is leaving temporarily and saying goodbye for now
Soon I'll return
The artist will come back soon
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
The singer promises to bring back a lot of love for the person
Please say "Si, si"
The singer requests the person to say "yes" in Spanish
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist wants the person and their Spanish eyes to wait for their return
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
The artist is complementing the person's eyes as the most beautiful in all of Mexico
True Spanish eyes
Reiterating that the person's eyes are truly of Spanish origin
Please smile at me once more before I go
The singer requests the person to smile once more before they leave
You and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist once again urges the person and their Spanish eyes to wait for their return
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Carlos Villalobos, Garry Applebaum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind