He was an actor and Italian Tenor, who specialised in romantic-melodic “musica leggera”, reaching a sort of The Voice status in Italy as “il reuccio (della canzone)” - the small king, so called also because of his sanguine character. While Nilla Pizzi was the Queen.
But the baby-boomer generation disliked more and more his genre, style and virtuosisms (the long acute Grand Finale - e.g., notable in “Granada” -, bringing a stereotype operatic flavour into traditional pop or easy listening “musica leggera”). Sharp age divisions therefore emerged, so as to make music tastes become an identitarian, Weltanschaung space of generational divide, at the time of ‘50s rock (with Little Tony, Italy’s Elvis), then the ‘60s new pop (many thousands of cave bands, also in Italy). All this was not so specially Italian, of course; but, because of his so long career, Claudio became a target symbol (for the ritual “parricide”); he was gradually ghettoed into an ageing but always faithful audience (no empty space at his concerts). On the other hand, he basically sticked to his 1950s repertoire and style.
Together with Domenico Modugno, he holds the record for the most wins at the Sanremo Music Festival, where he won the competition in 1955 (Buongiorno tristezza), 1957 (Corde della mia chitarra), 1962 (Addio ... addio) and 1967 (Non pensare a me). He won the RAI-TV Canzonissima competition in 1964 with " ‘O sole mio", and in 1966 with "Granada".
His debut was as a follower of the folk singer Carlo Buti (Florence 1902-1963, “the Golden Voice of Italy”); in 1947 he records his first 78 giri record (a rarity now) and in 1952 he is the main actor in the movie “Serenata amara” dir. by Pino Mercanti - followed by about 30 movies, where he is often singing as well; he most loved the Mario Valli character, an artist in “Granada Addio” (1966) dir. by Marino Girolami.
In the 1950s, together with his archi-rival Luciano Tajoli, he interpreted even many songs that will almost disappear afterward: "Il Ponte", "La luna nel rio" (Who threw the moon in the river, who threw it ...) and "Fontane Romane". Among Claudio Villa’s classics, one shoud also mention: 1948 Scalinatella, 1949 Fontana di Trevi and Signorinella, 1950 Luna Rossa, the 1951 Neapolitan suite (Voce 'e notte - Core 'ngrato - 'Na sera 'e maggio - Anema e core - Malafemmena - Munasterio 'e Santa Chiara - Marechiaro), 1951 I’ te vurria vasà, 1952 Vola colomba and Vecchio scarpone, 1955 Arrivederci Roma, 1956 Guaglione, 1957 Corde della mia chitarra, Lazzarella, La vie en rose, and Ave Maria di Schubert, 1958 Nel blu dipinto di blu (Modugno’s Volare), 1960 Romantica and Marina, 1969 Strangers in the night, 1974 Michelle and La Paloma, 1980 Dove sta Zazà and Tamurriata nera, 1982 El Condor pasa, 1985 Nessun dorma, and Caro amore (Concerto per Aranjuez).
In 1973 he interprets unforgettably on TV some “stornelli a dispetto” in duet with the great folksinger Gabriella Ferri, his great admirer and friend. After different labels, he ended up recording with Cetra (later on becoming Fonit-Cetra).
His death in 1987 by heart attack was announced live on Italian television by Pippo Baudo, during the last night of the Sanremo Music Festival of 1987.
He recorded across 4 decades over 3000 songs, and sold over 45 million records.
Mamma
Claudio Villa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La mia canzone ti dice che è il più bel giorno per me
Mamma son tanto felice viver lontano perchè
Mamma solo per te la mia canzone vola mamma sarai con me tu non sarai più sola
Mamma ma la canzone mia più bella sei tu, sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai più
Sento la mano tua stanca cerca i miei riccioli d'or sento e la voce ti manca la ninna nanna d'allor oggi la testa tua bianca io voglio stringer al cuor
Quanto ti volgio bene queste parole d'amore che ti sospirano il mio cuore forse non s'usano più
Mamma ma la canzone mia più bella sei tu,sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai più
MAMMA..MAMMAAA!!
(Grazie a Marco_88fg per questo testo)
The lyrics to Claudio Villa’s “Mamma” express his love and affection for his mother. The singer expresses how happy he is to return to his mother and be near her. He is grateful for the life she has given him, and this is conveyed through his song. He promises to be with her forever and cherishes her. He speaks about the love that he has for his mother and how it comes from the bottom of his heart. The song is meant to convey the depth of love that a mother can have for her child and how it can be reciprocated.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The singer remembers the sound of his mother’s voice and her touch, which has since faded. He is determined to hold onto these memories and keep them close to his heart. Despite the distance between them, the love he has for his mother remains strong. The song is a touching tribute to the love and bond that a mother and child share.
Overall, the lyrics to “Mamma” are simple, but they convey a powerful message about the love between a mother and child. Claudio Villa’s voice enhances the emotion of the song, making it a favorite for many people.
Line by Line Meaning
Mamma son tanto felice perchè ritorno da te
Mother, I am so happy because I am returning to you.
La mia canzone ti dice che è il più bel giorno per me
My song tells you that today is the most beautiful day of my life because I am with you.
Mamma son tanto felice viver lontano perchè
Mother, I am happy even though I live far away from you.
Mamma solo per te la mia canzone vola mamma sarai con me tu non sarai più sola
My song flies to you, mother, and will always be with you. You will never be alone.
Quanto ti volgio bene queste parole d'amore che ti sospirano il mio cuore forse non s'usano più
How much I love you, these words of love that my heart sighs, maybe are not used anymore.
Mamma ma la canzone mia più bella sei tu, sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai più
Mother, you are my most beautiful song. You are my life and I will never leave you.
Sento la mano tua stanca cerca i miei riccioli d'or sento e la voce ti manca la ninna nanna d'allor oggi la testa tua bianca io voglio stringer al cuor
I feel your tired hand searching for my golden curls. I hear your voice missing the lullaby from the past. Today, I want to hold your white head close to my heart.
Mamma ma la canzone mia più bella sei tu,sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai più
Mother, you are my most beautiful song. You are my life and I will never leave you.
MAMMA..MAMMAAA!!
MOTHER... MOTHER!!
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alessiapiraino8925
A tutte le mamme che sono andate in paradiso come la mia!!! Dedicata anche a tutte le altre
@adalgisaciuffidebonaviri8531
Passano gli anni ma io non ti dimentico, continuo ad ascoltarti, è un modo per mantenere vivi i miei genitori che ti amavano.
@marinafiorini9308
Grazie mi sono tanto commossa ripensando alla mia bella mamma ora in Cielo con tutti i nostri cari. Poi con la voce unica del grande Claudio Villa.
@agnesed7563
La resurrezione e la vita,mi ha dato coraggio che un giorno rivedrò mia madre
@antonelladiprospero789
Sono ultra ottantenne ma ascoltando queste canzoni, mi ritorna in mente la mia mamma che non potrò mai dimenticare.
@starman633
Come si fa a dimenticare la mamma? La mamma è l'unica che ti ama davvero.
@salvatorecaruso1449
VORO LA MAMMA NON SI PUÒ MAI DIMENTICARE IO OGGI HO 81 ANNI E SENTO SEMPRE LA SUA MANCANZA E NON LA POSSO DIMENTICARE
@salvatorecaruso1449
CIAO MAMMA TI VOGLIO BENE TANTO
@mariotudisco4273
❤❤❤❤❤❤
@fernandabrunetti7524
Le canzoni di Claudio Villa mi portano indietro a quando ero piccola che la mia mamma che non c'è più mi faceva ascoltare x farmi stare tranquilla un bacio grande alla mia mamma che lho persa quest'anno e a tutti coloro che hanno questo dolore