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.
Invitation
Caterina Valente Lyrics
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Somehow it seems
We've shed our dream but we're
Time after time in a room full of strangers
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation,
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
Then you are gone
Where oh where have you gone
How long must I live in a world of illusion
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
Where have you been, darling come in
Into my heart
The lyrics of Caterina Valente's song "Invitation" are about a mysterious person with an enigmatic smile who seems to always appear out of nowhere. The singer is drawn to this person's charm and presence, despite feeling like they may have given up on their dreams. They keep encountering this person in public settings and have developed a fascination that compels them to wonder where this person could have gone after they depart, leaving them to bask in the memory of their smile each time. The singer is grappling with the idea of living in a world of illusion, feeling like the person they're drawn to is near, but so far removed from their grasp. The song ends with the singer pleading for this person to finally extend an invitation to their heart, asking them to come in after all.
The lyrics to "Invitation" are poetic and ambiguous, but they evoke a strong sense of yearning and desire. The way the singer describes this mysterious person's smile as having a "strange invitation" creates a vivid image of the pull that this person has over them. The song invites listeners to tap into their own experiences of infatuation and the excitement of encountering someone who captures their attention. It's a timeless theme that has resonated with audiences since the song's release in the 1950s.
Line by Line Meaning
You and your smile hold a strange invitation
Your charming smile is like an invitation, but it is mysterious and intriguing.
Somehow it seems we've shed our dream but we're
Although it feels like we have given up on our dream, we are still...
Time after time in a room full of strangers
Repeatedly finding ourselves surrounded by unfamiliar faces...
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
Unexpectedly, but delightfully, you appeared.
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation
No matter where I am, your allure is present.
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
Catching my eye during those dim, early morning hours.
And always your smile holds that strange invitation
As always, your smile keeps me guessing and piques my curiosity.
Then you are gone, where oh where have you gone
But as soon as you arrived, you disappeared, leaving me wondering where you went.
How long must I live in a world of illusion
I wonder, how much longer can I continue living in this fantasy world?
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
It's frustrating to have you nearby, but still feel so far away.
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
I pray you might utter those words that would make my heart flutter with joy.
Where have you been, darling come in, into my heart
Oh darling, please tell me where you've been, and come closer to my heart.
Lyrics © GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Catval09
Never-ending fascination of listening Caterina Valente........
Vittorio Sansone
Anche Mina la canto' , ma questa versione di Caterina per me e' migliore e piu' espressiva.