It would become a hit single in 1966 for Al Martino when lyrics were added by composer Eddie Snyder and songwriter Charlie Singleton, and the title was changed to Spanish Eyes. Released in late 1965 in the United States, this recording reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent four weeks atop the Billboard Easy Listening chart in early 1966. This vocal version was also a hit in Europe, where it sold an estimated 800,000 copies in Germany and made the UK Singles Chart twice, peaking at #49 in 1970 and then reaching #5 in August 1973.
In 1968, "Moon Over Naples" earned Kaempfert one of five BMI Awards that year; the other awards were for his compositions Lady, Sweet Maria, Strangers In The Night and The World We Knew (Over and Over) with a posthumous BMI Award given September 16, 2003.
As "Spanish Eyes," the song would go on to be performed by the likes of Elvis Presley, Englebert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton and Faith No More.
It was also sung by Homer Simpson in The Simpsons epidose Homer vs. Dignity.
Moon Over Naples
Bert Kaempfert 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
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The first verse of the song “Moon Over Naples” by Bert Kaempfert begins with “Blue Spanish eyes”. The reference to “blue” Spanish eyes is an interesting choice, as Spanish people are known for having dark features: dark eyes, dark hair, and dark skin. The tears falling from these eyes add an emotional depth to the song, conveying sadness and heartache. Moreover, the repeated plea for the Spanish eyes not to cry is suggestive of a relationship that must be parted for a time.
The next verse states “this is just adios and not goodbye”. This is where the song picks up some optimism and hope, and the singer reassures the listener that they will return full of love. The singer promises to bring back all the love that the listener’s heart can hold. The reference to love is repeated throughout the song, conveying a heartfelt message of attachment and affection.
It is clear that the singer of the song has a strong connection with someone who has “the prettiest eyes in all of Mexico”, known as “true Spanish eyes”. The song refers to someone leaving for a while and promises to return bringing all the love to their partner. The theme of love is predominant throughout the song, demonstrated by the repeated entreaties for the person with the Spanish eyes to wait for him/her.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue Spanish eyes
The person is referring to their loved one's blue eyes that are full of emotion and sadness.
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
The person notices that their loved one is crying and wants to comfort them.
Please, please don't cry
The person is pleading with their loved one not to cry because they will see each other again.
This is just adios and not goodbye
The person wants their loved one to understand that they are not saying goodbye forever, just until they see each other again.
Soon I'll return
The person promises to come back to their loved one soon.
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
The person promises to bring their loved one all the love they can give.
Please say "Si, si"
The person is asking their loved one to say 'yes' in Spanish as a promise to wait for them.
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The person wants their loved one to promise that they will wait for them until they return.
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
The person compliments their loved one's eyes and compares them to the most beautiful eyes in Mexico.
True Spanish eyes
The person acknowledges that their loved one's eyes are a true representation of Spanish beauty and culture.
Please smile at me once more before I go
The person wants their loved one to smile at them one last time before they leave.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CARLOS VILLALOBOS, GARRY APPLEBAUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garysutton1056
One more for my Dad and Matt up in heaven.
@jean-claudetrudeau5931
Il étais le chef d’orchestre préféré de mon père
@marceloromero9244
Beautiful Bert Kaempfert.
@Tibulace
Desde os anos 70, eu acalentava o sonho de ter a MINHA trilha sonora, músicas instrumentais escolhidas a dedo por mim, para ouvir no carro.Só pude realizar, quando surgiram:PC, Pendrive e Youtube.Hoje, tenho um pendrive com quase 300 músicas instrumentais, copiadas/coladas doYoutube.Claro, que essa linda melodia, faz parte de minha playlist.
@aromero385
Beautiful sound!!.
@FranciscoCorbachoMoscosio
¡Es, de "Strangers In The Night", la, original, versión, Tremenda!
@gregwilliams6592
Hot 100 debut: 7/10/65 (#97); Chart peak: #59, 8/28 & 9/4/65 (weeks 8 & 9 on chart); Last week on chart: 9/11/65 (#66); Total weeks on chart: 10
@josecoll7065
Me gusta más en bolero
@garyeaton6172
Frank Sinatra helped me find this