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.
MENINA FLOR
Caterina Valente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Conosco il primo amor
E si ridestata una canzone addormentata
Che non ho dimenticata
Se per te mi fa cantar
Con te torn? l'et?
In cui si pu? sbagliar
Al primo amor menina flor
Con te torn? l'et?
In cui si pu? sbagliar
E la speranza si ridest?
Al primo amor menina flor
E la speranza si ridest?
Al primo amor menina flor
These lyrics are from the song "Menina Flor" by Caterina Valente. The song expresses the singer's feelings and experiences with love and time through the metaphor of a flower girl. The opening line, "Per te menina flor" can be translated as "For you, flower girl." The term "menina flor" is a term of endearment, referring to someone delicate and innocent like a flower.
The lyrics continue with "Conosco il primo amor," which means "I know the first love." This suggests that the singer has experienced love before and that it has awakened a dormant song within them. The references to the resurrection of a forgotten song symbolize the revival of emotions and memories associated with this past love.
The lines "Se per te mi fa cantar" can be interpreted as "If it makes me sing for you." This implies that the current relationship or interaction with the person referred to as "menina flor" is inspiring the singer to sing, possibly about their past love.
The following lines, "Con te tornò l'età in cui si può sbagliar / E la speranza si ridestà" can be translated as "With you, the age in which one can make mistakes returns / And hope is awakened." This suggests that being with this person evokes a sense of youthful energy and brings back the possibility of making mistakes in love. The reference to hope being awakened reinforces the idea that the singer sees potential for a new love or rekindling of romance.
In conclusion, "Menina Flor" is a poetic song that explores the themes of love, nostalgia, and the rejuvenating power of a new romantic connection. The flower girl represents innocence, delicacy, and the renewal of emotions associated with love.
Line by Line Meaning
Per te menina flor
For you, flower girl
Conosco il primo amor
I know the first love
E si ridestata una canzone addormentata
And a sleeping song has awakened
Che non ho dimenticata
That I haven't forgotten
Se per te mi fa cantar
If it makes me sing for you
Con te torn? l'et?
With you, does the age return?
In cui si pu? sbagliar
In which one can make mistakes
E la speranza si ridest?
And hope awakens
Al primo amor menina flor
To the first love, flower girl
Con te torn? l'et?
With you, does the age return?
In cui si pu? sbagliar
In which one can make mistakes
E la speranza si ridest?
And hope awakens
Al primo amor menina flor
To the first love, flower girl
E la speranza si ridest?
And hope awakens
Al primo amor menina flor
To the first love, flower girl
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GIORGIO CALABRESE, LUIZ FLORIANO BONFA, MARIA HELENA DE TOLEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Fernandes de Queiroga
Linda versão desse clássico eterno da bossa nova...belo trabalho orquestral e o violão de Luiz Bonfá fazendo um grande trabalho na retaguarda. Obrigado, Antônio Bocaiúva.