He debuted with the song "Bella Bellissima", which was written by his friend Ghigo Agosti and produced by the Milan-based label Primary. It was released on phonographic record in 1960, with "Doce Doce" as the back side. Some of his most successful songs include "Malaga", "Una rotonda sul mare", "Spaghetti a Detroit" and "Prima c'eri tu", which won the 1966 edition of Un Disco per l'Estate. Bongusto was also successful in South America, especially Brazil. He collaborated with Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes.
He composed the soundtracks of 24 movies, such as Day After Tomorrow (1968), Un Detective (1969), The Divorce (1970), Come Have Coffee with Us (1970), The Eroticist (1972), Gli ordini sono ordini (1972), Malizia (1973), Lovers and Other Relatives (1974), Le farò da padre (1974), Conviene far bene l'amore (1975), Al piacere di rivederla (1976), Oh, Serafina! (1976), Fantozzi contro tutti (1980), Fracchia la belva umana (1981) and Superfantozzi (1986). He also starred in Obiettivo ragazze (1961) and Peccato Veniale (1974).
In the 1990s, he was elected as a PSI town councillor in Bari. On 18 March 2005 the President of the Council (Premier), Silvio Berlusconi, presented him with a silver plate to celebrate the 50th year of his career. On 2 June 2005 he was awarded the title of Commendatore by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.
He was married to Gabriella Palazzoli, an Italian soubrette, who was famous in the 1950s and 1960s. She is known for starring in the film Buonanotte... Avvocato! with Alberto Sordi. In 1960, before their marriage, Palazzoli had a previous marriage with American actor John Drew Barrymore, who is the father of her daughter Blyth Dolores. Blyth was raised by Bongusto.
Bongusto enjoyed playing football and tennis, and was very good at both sports. He enjoyed antiquing and reading Tex Willer comics. Bongusto spent much of his time in Ischia, in the village of Sant'Angelo, in the places which inspired some of his songs.
Bongusto died 8 November 2019, in Rome, Italy.
Born in Campobasso from Venetian mother and Neapolitan father Fred studies at the classical “Mario Pagano” high school and after earning his diploma, applies to University, and goes into Law at the University of Modena. While studying, he dedicates himself to music, with incredible passion, interpreting and composing melodies. In the 60s he feels the urge to go into the “big city” and heads north, where he starts his career as a night club artist. The time is right, and night clubs are booming with performers such as Bruno Martino and Peppino di Capri.
In those years Fred starts publishing his first albums, with songs such as Doce Doce and Frida. He is defined as an “intimist” for his songs are romantic and dreamy. But it is in 1964 that he is brought to the eye of the great public with Amore Fermati, theme song for a Gorni Kramer television program and is thus brought into the homes of many Italians. He then participates in the Naples Festival, city he loves and where he is welcomed with great affection.
In that same year he participates in “Un Disco per l’Estate” where he presents “Una Rotonda sul Mare” a song so successful it has today become one of the most loved and evocative pieces of the 60s.
In 1966 he returns to “Un disco per l’estate” and wins with Prima c’eri tu confirming his fame and earning an ever growing appreciation from the public.
And that is how Fred, reaching out with his very personal and innovative style, becomes the “friend to the Italian dream” with songs that have become symbols, such as La mia estate con te, Spaghetti a Detroit, Tre settimane da raccontare, Malaga, and many others.
Towards the end of the 60s, Fred coincidentally discovers he is on the music charts in Brazil, and feeling close to the south-American way of life, with his guitar beating new rhythms in smoky clubs, he leaves to go and meet the great Vinicius De Moraes, Tom Jobim and Joao Jilberto. With the latter he records Malaga. His tours in Brazil and Argentina are countless but Fred also reaches the Unites States and completes various piece of work with the collaboration of great musicians and producers such as Don Costa.
In the seventies his creativity is tireless, and he interprets two very successful theme songs: Quando mi dici così with Minnie Minoprio and Petrosino from the homonymous television program. His new look, with shoulder length hair and sideburns, gives him a new nickname: “bel tenebroso”, “mysteriously handsome”. During the first half of the eighties, his tours in South America take up most of his time, specially in Brazil, where he thinks of moving. In 1989 he participates in the Festival of Sanremo, and in 1992 tours Italy with Toquinho, and then favours him back by touring Brazil with him years later in 1996.
A less well-known chapter of his life, but equally important and prestigious, is connected with his activity as a successful movie soundtrack composer. “Matrimonio all’italiana”, “Malizia”, “Venga a prendere il caffè da noi”, “La cicala”, untile the recent “Kamikazen” by Gabriele Salvatores are just some of the movies he has composed the soundtracks for.
Una rotonda sul mare
Fred Bongusto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
il nostro disco che suona...
vedo gli amici ballare
ma tu non sei qui con me.
amore mio dimmi se sei triste cosi' come me
dimmi se chi ci separo' e' sempre li' accanto a te
se tu sei felice con lui o rimpiangi qualcosa di me
io ti penso sempre sai, ti penso !
il nostro disco che suona...
vedo gli amici ballare
ma tu non sei qui con me.
amore mio dimmi se sei triste cosi' come me
dimmi se chi ci separo' e' sempre li' accanto a te
se tu sei felice con lui o rimpiangi qualcosa di me
io ti penso sempre sai, ti penso !
una rotonda sul mare
il nostro disco che suona...
vedo gli amici ballare
ma tu non sei qui con me.
The lyrics of "Una rotonda sul mare" by Fred Bongusto tell the story of a person who is watching their friends dance and enjoy themselves on the dance floor while feeling the emptiness of not having their significant other with them. The lyrics express the question of whether their loved one is as sad as they are in this moment, knowing that there is someone who separated them still close to the person they love. Through reminiscing, the person is questioning if their significant other is happy with the one who separated them or if they long for the intimate moments they shared. The lyrics show the pain of longing for someone who is not present and the confusion and frustration that comes with wondering about the true feelings and situation of the person they love.
These lyrics are not only about lost love, but they also represent the memories and moments shared at a specific place near the sea – a rotunda. The title of the song Una rotonda sul mare, translates to "a rotunda at sea" and is a representation of a place where everyone gathers to have a good time, dance, be together but in the context of the song, where the singer is missing and longing for someone, it feels like a place of heartache. The combination of the joyful atmosphere with the feelings of longing make this a poignant song, which resonates with anyone who has loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
una rotonda sul mare
A roundabout on the sea, a place where people gather for leisure and fun.
il nostro disco che suona...
Our favorite song is being played by the DJ, adding to the atmosphere of the place.
vedo gli amici ballare
I see our friends dancing and having a good time.
ma tu non sei qui con me.
But you are not here with me, and it makes me feel sad and incomplete.
amore mio dimmi se sei triste cosi' come me
My love, tell me if you are feeling sad like me.
dimmi se chi ci separo' e' sempre li' accanto a te
Tell me if the person who separated us is still by your side.
se tu sei felice con lui o rimpiangi qualcosa di me
Let me know if you are happy with him or if you miss something about me.
io ti penso sempre sai, ti penso !
I always think of you, you know, I think of you!
una rotonda sul mare
A roundabout on the sea, a place where people gather for leisure and fun.
il nostro disco che suona...
Our favorite song is being played by the DJ, adding to the atmosphere of the place.
vedo gli amici ballare
I see our friends dancing and having a good time.
ma tu non sei qui con me.
But you are not here with me, and it makes me feel sad and incomplete.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALDO VALLERONI, FRANCESCO MIGLIACCI, FRED BONGUSTO, PIETRO FALENI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Mazaro
Ricordi Romantici di un tempo che non esiste più...Grazie Fred
Yenney Rossi
Bellissimo brano stupendamente interpretato da Fred Bongusto👍🎶✳️ Apprezzo infinitamente la condivisione e il prezioso video che hai realizzato e incluso 🎬🤳 Complimenti e un cordiale saluto 🙋🌷🥀Buon inizio di settimana!!👌🎵🤗 xoxo ( brano recuperato)🌷
Antonia Perrone
brano da brivido! la ascolto sempre. Bravo Fred
Judith Bezerra
Sou brasileira, mas gosto demais da música italiana
Alessandra Orlandini
Lo apprezzo più ora di quando avevo 15 o 16 anni. Anche a quell'età , però , le sue canzoni mi trasmettevano serenità e sentimenti di un amore profondo . Fisicamente lo associo ad una via di mezzo fra Ligabue e Drupi. Comunque è sempre piacevole riascoltarlo. I testi sono chiari , la musica soave, e la voce profonda .
Marici Diniz
Muita falta vai fazer no mundo musical descanse em paz.
Jesus Porto
Preciosa canción...
Roberta Gori
Ciao caro amico, ci hai regalato emozioni stupende........
Nicola Gallucci
ogni volta che la ascolto rivivo i magnifici primi anni 70 quanti ricordi indimenticabili grazie Fred !
giuliano sgherri
Dagli anni 60 al 2005 ho cantato le più belle canzoni del grande FRED conosciuto in un locale a Torino il PERUCHE' Credo di essere stato riconosciuto come un eccellente imitatore grazie alla somiglianza della voce e l'emozione che ogni volta provavo nel cantare i suoi brani