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.
Flamingo
Caterina Valente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flying over the island
To my lover nearby
Flamingo, with your tropical hue
For it's you I rely on
And the love that is true
The song that I hear below
The murmuring heart
Flamingo, when the sun meets the sea
Say farewell to my lover
And hasten to me
Aah-ooh, aah-ooh, ooh-ooh
Flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingo, when the sun meets the sea
Say farewell to my lover
And hasten to me
Aah-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-aah
The lyrics to Caterina Valente's song "Flamingo" depict the persona's desires to be reunited with their lover. The flamingo is used to symbolize the lover's longing and the persona describes it as a flame in the sky, flying over the island where their lover is located. The persona relies on the flamingo, with its tropical hue for the love that is true. The wind sings a song to the flamingo as it goes to the lover, and the persona listens to the murmuring of their heart. The chorus repeats the desire to have the flamingo return, to say farewell to the lover and hasten to the persona.
The overall theme of the song is about true love, longing and the desire for their lover to return to them. The lyrics are simple, yet demonstrate the intensity of the persona's feelings for their lover. Valente's use of the flamingo as a symbol of the lover's longing is unique, and adds to the tropical theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Flamingo, like a flame in the sky
The flamingo is compared to a flame in the sky, a bright spot that catches attention and draws the gaze of onlookers.
Flying over the island
The flamingo is pictured as flying over an island, almost like it's surveying the area and enjoying its freedom while doing so.
To my lover nearby
The bird is flying towards the singer's lover, suggesting that the two are in the same place, together.
Flamingo, with your tropical hue
The focus then shifts to the flamingo's distinctive colors, which the artist appreciates and associates with tropical regions.
For it's you I rely on
The artist implies that they depend on the flamingo somehow, perhaps as a symbol of something or as a source of inspiration or comfort.
And the love that is true
The reason for the singer's appreciation of the flamingo is because it represents a pure and genuine feeling of love.
The wind sings a song to you as you go
As the flamingo flies away, the wind seems to serenade it with a song, which the singer hears and may even be moved by.
The song that I hear below
This line serves to reinforce the idea that the artist is listening intently to the wind's song and finding meaning in it.
The murmuring heart
The phrase 'murmuring heart' echoes the sentiment of the wind's song and hints at a deep emotional connection that the artist is experiencing.
Flamingo, when the sun meets the sea
The artist imagines the flamingo being present at a specific moment, when the sun sets and the sea glows with a brilliant light.
Say farewell to my lover
The singer asks the flamingo to say goodbye to their lover, who will be presumably departing from the area.
And hasten to me
The artist then pleads with the flamingo to come to them, emphasizing a desire to connect and be reunited with someone.
Aah-ooh, aah-ooh, ooh-ooh
These nonsensical syllables appear to be a vocalization of the emotions the singer is feeling—perhaps a mix of longing, excitement, and joy.
Flamingo
The word 'flamingo' is repeated, emphasizing the central role the bird plays in this narrative.
Aah-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-aah
These sounds may be interpreted as the sounds of the wind and the sea, or as a continuation of the singer's emotional expression.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDMUND ANDERSON, TED GROUYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Howitt
I am 80 years old now and remember as a young man listening to this fantastic singer and being blown away by her superb range and tone! I absolutely love The Breeze and I and this exceptional version of Flamingo. What a voice - a legend!!
Vera Lucia de Bastos
Adoro desde criança!
MaSaTa909
Es la mejor Caterina Valente.
Catval09
Fantastische Caterina, unerreicht und einzigartig ! !
SharkSport
bellisimo!
Bernd Becker
Caterina ist unerreicht. Man ist fast erschlagen von der optimalen Super, klangvollen Stimme.!!
Fábio Valente Oficial - Samba e Bossa Nova 7 Álbum
♪♫ Fabio Valente - Bossa Nova ♪♫
Thanks !!!
Renzocasablanca livros
Flamingo isn´t Bossa Nova; not by one million miles, sorry