Al Martino (born Alfred Cini, October 7, 1927 - October 13, 2009, Philadelp… Read Full Bio ↴Al Martino (born Alfred Cini, October 7, 1927 - October 13, 2009, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an Italian-American singer and actor. After service with the U.S. Marines in World War II, including being a part of the Iwo Jima invasion where he was wounded, he commenced his singing career.

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.

Granada
Al Martino Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Granada, I'm falling under your spell
And if you could speak what a fascinating tale you would tell
Of an age the world has long forgotten
Of an age that weaves the silent magic in Granada today

The dawn in the sky greets the day with a sigh for Granada
For she can remember the splendour that once was Granada
It still can be found in the hills all around as I wander along

Entranced by the beauty before me
Entranced by a land full of sunshine and flowers and song
And when day is done and the sun starts to set in Granada
I envy the blush of the snow clad Sierra Nevada
For soon it will welcome the stars
While a thousand guitars play a soft Habanera

Then moonlit Granada will live again
The glory of yesterday romantic and gay.

Overall Meaning

The song "Granada" by Al Martino is a beautiful tribute to the Spanish city of Granada. The lyrics convey the deep love and admiration that Martino has for the city and its rich history. The song begins with the captivating lines "Granada, I'm falling under your spell" which immediately grab the listener's attention. Martino goes on to imagine the stories that the city would tell if it could speak, of a time long gone and the magic that still lingers in Granada.

The second verse speaks of the beauty of the city, especially during the dawn and sunsets, the hills surrounding the city, and the warmth of the sunshine and flowers. Martino is entranced by the beauty before him, and the land is full of song. The final verse speaks of the moonlit Granada, and the romantic and gay glory of yesterday. Martino envies the snow-clad Sierra Nevada which welcomes the stars while one thousand guitars play a soft Habanera.

"Granada" is a tribute not only to the breathtaking beauty of the city but also to the rich history and culture of Spain as a whole. With his descriptive and poetic lyrics, Martino transports the listener to the enchanting city of Granada and allows them to experience its spellbinding charm.

Line by Line Meaning

Granada, I'm falling under your spell
I am captivated by the charm and allure of Granada

And if you could speak what a fascinating tale you would tell
Granada has a rich history and culture that is full of enchanting stories

Of an age the world has long forgotten
Granada is a city that is steeped in history, but much of its past is lost to time

Of an age that weaves the silent magic in Granada today
The magic of Granada's past can still be felt and seen throughout the city today

The dawn in the sky greets the day with a sigh for Granada
The sunrise over Granada is a beautiful sight that evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia

For she can remember the splendour that once was Granada
Granada was once a city of great splendor and beauty that is still remembered today

It still can be found in the hills all around as I wander along
The beauty of Granada can still be seen in the natural landscape that surrounds the city

Entranced by the beauty before me
I am captivated and mesmerized by the stunning beauty of Granada

Entranced by a land full of sunshine and flowers and song
Granada is a vibrant and lively city that is full of sunshine, flowers, and music

And when day is done and the sun starts to set in Granada
As the day comes to an end and the sun sets in Granada

I envy the blush of the snow clad Sierra Nevada
I feel envious of the beautiful colors of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains

For soon it will welcome the stars
The Sierra Nevada mountains will soon be lit up by the stars in the night sky

While a thousand guitars play a soft Habanera
The beautiful music of Granada, represented by a thousand guitars, fills the air

Then moonlit Granada will live again
The city of Granada comes alive under the enchanting light of the moon

The glory of yesterday romantic and gay.
The beauty and romance of Granada's past is brought to life in this moment

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANS-PETER LINDSTROM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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