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.
NOW
Al Martino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now stars will always shine
Now life will be divine
Cause I found you
My prayers haven't been in vain
Your smile sends away the rain
Your kiss made it very plain
I must have prayed a million years
For such a romance to start
I must have shed a million tears
Till you put a song in my heart
And now wedding bells can ring
Now I can be a king
Now I have every thing
For I have you my love
I must have prayed a million years
For such a romance to start
I must have shed a million tears
Till you put a song in my heart
And now wedding bells can ring
Now I can be a king
Now I have every thing
For I have you my love
In the song "Now" by Al Martino, the lyrics describe a newfound love that has transformed the singer's life, giving them a sense of happiness and completeness. The first verse suggests that the singer has entered a new phase of their life, where everything seems more vibrant as if the world is theirs for the taking. They believe that their love has brought a divine quality to their life and that the stars will always shine.
The second verse describes how the singer's prayers have been answered with the arrival of a special someone in their life. The lyrics imply that this person's smile has brought light and happiness to their life by chasing away the rain. The singer feels that their dream has finally come true through this newfound love, as if something intangible has given them a sense of purpose and direction.
The chorus emphasizes the intensity of the love shared between the singer and their partner. The lyrics show that the singer has searched for a long time for this type of love, and they feel as if they are finally complete now that they have found it. The mention of wedding bells ringing and being a king suggests that the singer feels confident and secure in this relationship, as if they have everything they need.
Overall, "Now" is a song about the redemptive power of love and how it can transform one's life into something bigger and better. It is a heartfelt expression of the joy and fulfillment that can come from finding true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Now all the world is mine
The world has become a better place since I found you.
Now stars will always shine
The brightness of the stars has increased since I met you.
Now life will be divine
Life has become wonderful since you came into my life.
Cause I found you
My life has changed for the better because I met you.
My prayers haven't been in vain
All of my wishes have finally come true since I found you.
Your smile sends away the rain
Your smile takes away all my troubles and sorrows.
Your kiss made it very plain
Your kiss made it obvious that you are the one for me.
That your my dream come true
You are the one I have been dreaming of all my life.
I must have prayed a million years
I have been waiting for someone like you for a very long time.
For such a romance to start
I have been waiting for a romance like this to begin.
I must have shed a million tears
I have shed many tears waiting for you to come into my life.
Till you put a song in my heart
You have brought happiness to my life and filled my heart with joy.
And now wedding bells can ring
We can finally get married now that we have found each other.
Now I can be a king
I feel like royalty because I have you in my life.
Now I have every thing
I feel like I have everything I could ever want or need because of you.
For I have you my love
You are my love and my everything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TERENCE OLIVER BLANCHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Debra Hodkinson
Sung by a sweet man with the most beautiful melodiuos voice even at 82 who entertained us in the UK months before his very sad death.
Tony lawrence Walsh
This kind of singing , just jumps at you and says listen ! this is honest this is true, its quite simply BEL CANTO, some people ask"Will it ever come back?" Well the answer to that is " It never went away"
pats60415
a underated song done by a very underated talent
bill fraser
Oh wonderful memories of real music when the "Hit Parade"was king.
Gaby Sanchez
beautiful, beautiful song
Corrie121
I remember this one so well. I have not heard it for many years, and it is just wonderful to listen to it again. Thank you for sharing this gem, which I have added to my "favourites".
Keith
I love AL Martino's songs, he was an amazing singer.
MzFlowerchild
Super tune by Mr Martino, wonderful sound, thank you for sharing & for keeping the music alive. I appreciate the effort you take to add these amazing tunes to YouTube.
MIGHTYJOEYOUNG62
World Class Ballad Singer R.I.P Great Man
victor cassar
A great Maltese singer, real name Alfred Cini, his parents emigrated to the US in the 1920's..