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.

Ich hätt' getanzt heut Nacht
Caterina Valente Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ich hätt′ getanzt heut Nacht,
Die ganze Nacht, heut Nacht,
Ach wär's doch nie vorbei!
Ich möcht noch soviel mehr,
Auch wenn es Sünde wär,
Die ich mir kaum verzeih.
So war mir nie,
Doch wie er dann auf einmal,

Den ersten Schritt mit mir gemacht.
War mir so wunderbar,
Dass ich Traum sogar noch immer tanz,
Tanz, tanz heut Nacht.

So war mir nie,
Doch wie er dann auf einmal,
Den ersten Schritt mit mir gemacht.
War mir so wunderbar,

Dass ich im Traum sogar noch immer tanz,
Tanz, tanz heut Nacht.

Overall Meaning

The song "Ich hätt' getanzt heut Nacht" by Caterina Valente expresses the desire to dance all night long and make unforgettable memories. The lyrics speak of the yearning to have even more fun and indulge in more pleasures, even if it means committing sins that are hard to forgive. The singer's experience of the night is described as something she has never felt before, highlighting the magic of the moment. When her partner makes the first move, it makes her feel wonderful and even in her dreams, she continues to dance.

The singer's desire to never let the night end suggests an eagerness to live in the present moment and experience everything that life has to offer. In addition, the song's lyrics speak to the universal human desire to forget all problems and just have fun for one night. The idea of dancing all night, despite the potential consequences, represents a sort of rebellion against societal norms and expectations.

The profound emotions the singer experiences through dance and the magic of the night are deeply ingrained in human nature, and this song reminds us of that. Additionally, it serves as a reminder to be present in every moment, to enjoy life as it comes, and to enjoy the little joys that may present themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Ich hätt' getanzt heut Nacht
I would have danced tonight

Die ganze Nacht, heut Nacht
The entire night, tonight

Ach wär's doch nie vorbei!
Oh, if only it would never end!

Ich möcht noch soviel mehr
I would like so much more

Auch wenn es Sünde wär
Even if it was a sin

Die ich mir kaum verzeih
Which I can hardly forgive myself for

So war mir nie
I've never felt like this before

Doch wie er dann auf einmal
But when he suddenly

Den ersten Schritt mit mir gemacht
Made the first step with me

War mir so wunderbar
It was so wonderful for me

Dass ich Traum sogar noch immer tanz
That I'm still dancing in my dream