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.
Take Me Back
Al Martino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tear a petal from the rose and the rose weeps too
Take your heart away from mine and mine will surely break
My life is yours to take, so please keep the spark awake
Would you take the wings from birds so that they can't fly?
Would you take the ocean's roar and leave just a sigh?
All this, your heart won't let you do
Don't take your love from me
All this, your heart won't let you do
This is what I beg of you
Don't take your love from me
Don't take your love from me
The lyrics to the song "Don't Take Your Love From Me" by Al Martino reflect on the pain of losing someone's love. The first verse speaks to the idea that without a loved one, even the sky and the flowers can feel empty and lifeless. The second verse alludes to the idea of taking away the basic components of what makes something special, such as taking wings away from birds or the roar away from the ocean, but notes that the heart won't allow the same to happen in relationships. The chorus is a plea to the loved one to not abandon the relationship.
The lyrics are a powerful and poignant request to maintain and nurture the love shared between two people. They suggest that love is not merely an emotion, but a vital necessity for one's own existence. The song speaks to a universal human experience of love, loss, and the fear of losing something so precious that it defines who we are.
The song was written in 1941 by Henry Nemo and was first recorded by Al Martino in 1952. Nemo was a prolific songwriter and wrote the hit song "Hymne a l'amour," made famous by Edith Piaf. The song was recorded by many other artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra, who covered the song in 1960. Don't Take Your Love From Me remains one of Al Martino's most popular songs, and it is considered a classic in the Great American Songbook repertoire.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear a star from out the sky and the sky feels blue
Just like removing a part of the sky affects the entire sky, taking away someone's love causes deep sadness and hurt in the other person.
Tear a petal from the rose and the rose weeps too
Similar to how a rose mourns the loss of even one petal, being separated from a loved one brings immense grief and tears.
Take your heart away from mine and mine will surely break
Removing the love and affection between two hearts is a recipe for heartbreak and pain in the one left behind.
My life is yours to take, so please keep the spark awake
Offering one's life to another signifies the deep love and commitment felt towards them, and asking them to keep the relationship alive and thriving.
Would you take the wings from birds so that they can't fly?
Just like taking away the freedom of birds to fly is cruel and unfair, breaking someone's heart and taking away their love is heartless and unjustified.
Would you take the ocean's roar and leave just a sigh?
Understanding the vastness and beauty of the ocean, taking away its roar is like taking away the passion and vibrancy of love, leaving behind a dull existence.
All this, your heart won't let you do
Despite everything, the song acknowledges the strength of human hearts, which won't allow one to bring hurt or pain to their loved ones intentionally.
This is what I beg of you
The closing line signifies the plea to the loved one to not take their love away.
Don't take your love from me
The repeated line serves as a precautionary and desperate plea against the loss of love, as nothing can match the power and beauty of this emotion.
Lyrics © INDANO MUSIC COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Nemo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind