Buti was born near Florence. As a boy, he mastered the Tuscan folk song technique known as "stornello". He ws soon being paid by other men to serenade their girlfriends. He received limited vocal training from Raoul Frazzi and Gino Bechi. He was featured on Italian radio and recorded for Edison Records starting in 1930, but went to Columbia Records by 1934.
Buti has been called the "Frank Sinatra of Italy", because of his preference for the popular songs of the day over the more operatic songs. He retired in 1956 after having recorded 1574 songs[1]. At the time, he was the most recorded voice in Italian music history. His unique warm and melodic "tenorino" style of high quasi-falsetto phrasing sung in the "mezza voce" made him an international success. He also starred in several Italian movies. He passed away at his home in Montelupo Fiorentino, in Tuscany, Italy at the age of 61.
Maria la o
Carlo Buti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
lasciati baciar.
Maria La-O
io ti voglio amar.
Se mi guardi tu
non resisto più,
sento nascere nel mio cuor
Maria La-O
lasciati baciar.
Maria La-O
tu mi fai sognar.
Nel mio cuor
ti porterò.
Mai ti scorderò
Maria La-O.
Bella Honolulu
dimmelo chi fu
che t'ha dato quello
che possiedi tu.
I più rari fior
i più ardenti cuor
stesi in un ciel pieno
di stelle d'or.
Bella più di te
una donna c'è,
tu ne sei gelosa
tu lo sai chi è.
Quanti marinar
vengono dal mar,
quante bocche in ansia
fa sussurrar.
Maria La-O
lasciati baciar.
Maria La-O
io ti voglio amar.
Se mi guardi tu
non resisto più,
sento nascere nel mio cuor
tanto amor.
Maria La-O
lasciati baciar.
Maria La-O
tu mi fai sognar.
Nel mio cuor
ti porterò.
Mai ti scorderò
Maria La-O.
Carlo Buti's song "Maria La O" is a romantic, dreamy tune about a man named Maria La-O who is entranced by the beauty of a woman named Maria. The lyrics express his desire to kiss and love her, and he sings that he cannot resist her when she looks at him. He promises to carry her in his heart and never forget her. The song references the exotic location of Honolulu and mentions the rare flowers and passionate hearts that reside there. It also brings up the jealousy that Maria feels toward another woman who is considered more beautiful than her.
The lyrics of "Maria La O" are full of passion and longing, and they create a vivid image of a romantic paradise. This song is a classic example of traditional Italian love songs, called "canzone napoletana," which were immensely popular in the early and mid-20th century. "Maria La O" is one of the most famous and enduring songs in this genre, and it is still beloved by fans of Italian music all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Maria La-O
lasciati baciar.
Maria La-O, let yourself be kissed.
Maria La-O
io ti voglio amar.
Maria La-O, I want to love you.
Se mi guardi tu
non resisto più,
sento nascere nel mio cuor
tanto amor.
If you look at me, I can't resist anymore, I feel so much love born in my heart.
Maria La-O
tu mi fai sognar.
Maria La-O, you make me dream.
Nel mio cuor
ti porterò.
Mai ti scorderò
Maria La-O.
In my heart, I will carry you. I will never forget you, Maria La-O.
Bella Honolulu
dimmelo chi fu
che t'ha dato quello
che possiedi tu.
Beautiful Honolulu, tell me, who gave you what you possess.
I più rari fior
i più ardenti cuor
stesi in un ciel pieno
di stelle d'or.
The rarest flowers and the most passionate hearts are spread across a sky full of golden stars.
Bella più di te
una donna c'è,
tu ne sei gelosa
tu lo sai chi è.
There is a woman more beautiful than you, and you are jealous. You know who she is.
Quanti marinar
vengono dal mar,
quante bocche in ansia
fa sussurrar.
How many sailors come from the sea, how many anxious mouths they make whisper.
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@passalapassa
This is why he was called "La Voce D'Oro" and reigned from 1930 to 1950 as Italy's most recorded and beloved voice. It should never be silenced. Your "diatonic/chromatic description is excellent Kostgian.
@neurofire
With music like this is it any wonder Hemmingway fell in love with Cuba. Thanks for posting his. What a treat!
@arcangeles00
NO CONOZCO AL CANTANTE, PERO QUE COMBINACION MAS HERMOSA, UNA BELLA CANCION DEL CUBANO LECUONA Y UNA MAGISTRAL INTERPRETACION, GRACIAS POR EL VIDEO.
@minervadesole2128
Es un hermoso regalo el que nos ha hecho al compartir este maravilloso video,música de Ernesto Lecuona...escuchar al gran Calo Buti,Grazie tante !!!!
Mercoledì, 08,Aprile,2015.
@erzbet07
I never heard of this singer but what a VOICE!! Liquid gold. So soothing and beautiful. Thanks for sharing his artistry on YOU TUBE.
@passalapassa
This Cuban classic has been interpreted by some stupendous singers. In this 1939 recording, Carlo Buti does it with a voice that is like a unique, sensitive musical intrument that is in tune with something extremely rare, beautuful, even sublime. Thank you for a trmendous treat.
@mipalenque
Nunca la habia escuchado en italiano que belleza gracias
@AnaJilK
I am not a musician, I simply enjoy variations of his voice. Thanks a lot for sharing :)
@zinakane
Thank you for introducing those photos of Carlo Buti new to me, and such a beautiful song. One of my favorites.
@pjlsimon
¡Muchas gracias, sinceramente:bello!