In 1952 she married juggler Erik van Aro (Gerd Eric Horst Scholz). He recognized her talent and accompanied her in her initial years of worldwide success, although they later divorced. In 1953, she made her first recordings with Kurt Edelhagen. Soon afterwards she achieved great success with songs like "Malagueña", "The Breeze and I", and "Dreh dich nicht um" with the Werner Müller orchestra. In 1955 she was featured on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Gordon MacRae. Between 1966 and 1972 she was a frequent guest on the Dean Martin Show. In 1972, she married the British pianist Roy Budd; they had a son, Alexander, but they divorced in 1979.
In Germany she was a major performer of Schlager music. There she recorded Cole Porter's "I love Paris" i.e. "Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe", which sold more than 500,000 copies in (1954.) Like in other countries where she was popular, some in Germany mistakenly consider her a German singer.
Over the years, she has recorded or performed with many international stars, including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Sy Oliver, Claus Ogerman, and Chet Baker.
In 2001, she released a new album Girltalk with harpist Catherine Michel. She is also the mother of singer Eric van Aro, Jr.
Baiao Bongo
Caterina Valente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh baiao Bongo
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Ist das Oh und Ah in Südamerika
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Der ist so gleich berauscht
von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Der ist so gleich berauscht
von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo la la la
In Panama und auch in Costa Rica
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo la la la
In Panama und auch in Santa Fé
Die schwarz gelockten Damen
Die fallen aus dem Ramen
Bei jeder was dir neu ist
Zu zig-zag und scheu ist
Doch wenn die Bongo's klingen
Dann kannst du erringen
Denn diese Tänzen bringen
Die Herzen in Schwung
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Ist das Oh und Ah in Südamerika
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia baia
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Der ist sogleich berauscht von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Der ist sogleich berauscht von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo Bongola la la
In Panama und auch in Costa Rica
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo Bongo la la la
In Panama und auch in Santa Fé
Oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Olé
The lyrics to "Baiao Bongo" by Caterina Valente highlight the allure and enchantment of South American music and dance. The repetition of "oh baiao Bongo" creates a hypnotic and all-encompassing effect, drawing the listener into the rhythm and the world it represents. The song describes the beauty of the dunes and how listening to the baiao bongo music can intoxicate and uplift one's spirit. It also touches on the seductive power of the music, as black-haired and curvy women are said to fall out of frame when the music starts playing. The song suggests that the bongo's beat can unite people, making their hearts beat as one and bringing about collective joy and celebration.
The song showcases a blend of musical styles and cultures that reflect the diverse influences of South America. The baião rhythm has its roots in northeastern Brazil but also showcases African influences, while the use of bongo drums in the song draws attention to Afro-Cuban percussion. The song ultimately combines elements of samba, bossa nova, and jazz music to create a unique and infectious sound. "Baiao Bongo" was a significant hit for Caterina Valente, and it remains popular today due to its distinct and sexy flavor.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baiao Bongo
Addressing the music genre of Baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the title to emphasize its importance
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia
Describing the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo
Oh baiao Bongo
Referring to Baiao Bongo again
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the title again
Ist das Oh und Ah in Südamerika
Comparing Baiao Bongo to the traditional Latin American music
Oh baiao Bongo
Referring to Baiao Bongo one more time
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the title once again
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia (baia)
Reiterating the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Addressing the listener who is enjoying the beautiful sand dunes
Der ist so gleich berauscht
Indicating that the listener would be disturbed by the rhythm of Baiao Bongo
von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Emphasizing that the rhythm of Baiao Bongo would bring excitement
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Referring to the listener once again
Der ist so gleich berauscht
Repeating that the rhythm of Baiao Bongo is enchanting
von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Reiterating that Baiao Bongo can captivate the listener
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo la la la
Singing the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo again, this time with embellishments
In Panama und auch in Costa Rica
Mentioning the places where Baiao Bongo is popular
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo la la la
Repeating the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo again
In Panama und auch in Santa Fé
Naming Santa Fe as another place where Baiao Bongo is popular
Die schwarz gelockten Damen
Pointing out the beautiful, curly-haired ladies
Die fallen aus dem Ramen
Commenting on the alluring nature of the women
Bei jeder was dir neu ist
Noting that they are shy around strangers
Zu zig-zag und scheu ist
Describing their nervous movements
Doch wenn die Bongo's klingen
Explaining that they lose their shyness when Baiao Bongo is played
Dann kannst du erringen
Implying that even the shy can seize the moment
Denn diese Tänzen bringen
Attributing the power of Baiao Bongo to its rhythmic beats for dancing
Die Herzen in Schwung
Suggesting that Baiao Bongo can bring excitement and joy to the heart
Oh baiao Bongo
Calling out to Baiao Bongo yet again
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the call to Baiao Bongo
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia
Referring to the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo again
Oh baiao Bongo
Referring to Baiao Bongo again
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the reference to Baiao Bongo
Ist das Oh und Ah in Südamerika
Reiterating that Baiao Bongo is like traditional Latin American music
Oh baiao Bongo
Mentioning Baiao Bongo one more time
oh baiao Bongo
Repeating the mention of Baiao Bongo
baiao Bongo oh Bongo baia baia
Reiterating the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo with embellishments
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Referring to the listener who is enjoying the sand dunes again
Der ist sogleich berauscht von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Reiterating that Baiao Bongo can enchant the listener
Wer in schönen Dünen lauscht
Referring to the listener one more time
Der ist sogleich berauscht von baiao Bongo von Bongo baia
Repeating that Baiao Bongo can captivate the listener
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo Bongola la la
Singing the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo again with more embellishments
In Panama und auch in Costa Rica
Mentioning the popularity of Baiao Bongo in Panama and Costa Rica again
Bongo la Bongo la Bongo Bongo la la la
Repeating the rhythmic beats of Baiao Bongo along with the singer's enjoyment
In Panama und auch in Santa Fé
Referring to the popularity of Baiao Bongo in Santa Fe again
Oh baiao Bongo
Calling Baiao Bongo out one more time
oh baiao Bongo
Reiterating the call to Baiao Bongo
oh baiao Bongo
Calling out to Baiao Bongo one last time
Olé
Expressing an enthusiastic greeting or farewell
Writer(s): h. gietz
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Staless74
on Cambia O Lasciami
Please correct the highlighted verse to: "Che diritti hai su di me?". Thanks.