Caterina Valente (born January 14, 1931 in Paris) is an Italian-born singer… Read Full Bio ↴Caterina Valente (born January 14, 1931 in Paris) is an Italian-born singer, dancer, and actress. She comes from an Italian artist family; her father Giuseppe was a well-known accordion player, her mother, Maria Valente, a musical clown. She had three siblings, of whom Silvio Francesco was also active in show business.

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.

Bonjour Kathrin
Caterina Valente Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bonjour
Kathrin
Bonjour ihr Melodien
Die dieser schöne Tag mir bringt.
Bonjour
Kathrin
Die Melodien zieh'n
Ins Herz

Das nun von Liebe singt.
Die Welt ist schön
Und zwei Verliebte seh'n
Am Himmel 1000 Sterne steh'n.
Das Ziel ist nah
Der Tag Des Glücks ist da
Bonjour l'amour
Bonjour!
Ein ewig neuer Bann
Zieht junge Herzen an
Wenn diese Melodie erklingt.
I'm Zauber einer Nacht
Ist dieses Lied erwacht
Das heut' von uns'rer Liebe singt:

BONJOUR
KATHRIN...

Overall Meaning

The song "Bonjour Kathrin" by Caterina Valente is a cheerful and romantic celebration of love and music. The lyrics express the joy and optimism of the singer as she greets the day and the melodies that accompany her. She addresses someone named Kathrin, perhaps a friend or a loved one, and invites her to share the beauty and magic of the moment.

The singer describes how the melodies of the day fill her heart with love, and how the world appears more beautiful when seen through the eyes of two people in love. She marvels at the thousands of stars in the sky and the proximity of the much-awaited day of bliss. The song speaks to the power of music to unite people, especially young hearts that are drawn to its enchantment. The melody of the song is itself caught in the spell of a magical night, as it sings of the joy of their love.

Overall, "Bonjour Kathrin" is a happy and uplifting song that captures the spirit of young love and the wonder of music. It is an ode to romance and the magical moments that music can bring to our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Bonjour
Greeting to the dawn of a beautiful day

Kathrin
Direct address to a person named Kathrin

Bonjour ihr Melodien
Greetings to the melodies that bring joy on this day

Die dieser schöne Tag mir bringt.
The melodies that bring happiness on this beautiful day

Bonjour Kathrin
Repeated greeting to person named Kathrin

Die Melodien zieh'n
The melodies draw in

Ins Herz
Into the heart

Das nun von Liebe singt.
Which now sings of love

Die Welt ist schön
The world is beautiful

Und zwei Verliebte seh'n
And two lovers see

Am Himmel 1000 Sterne steh'n.
A thousand stars standing in the sky

Das Ziel ist nah
The goal is near

Der Tag Des Glücks ist da
The day of happiness has come

Bonjour l'amour
Greetings, love

Bonjour!
Further greeting and acknowledge of the beautiful day

Ein ewig neuer Bann
An endless new spell

Zieht junge Herzen an
Attracts young hearts

Wenn diese Melodie erklingt.
When this melody plays

I'm Zauber einer Nacht
In the magic of a night

Ist dieses Lied erwacht
This song comes alive

Das heut' von uns'rer Liebe singt:
That today sings of our love

BONJOUR KATHRIN...
Final repeated greeting to person named Kathrin

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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