Lou Monte, born Louis Scaglione on (April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989), was an … Read Full Bio ↴Lou Monte, born Louis Scaglione on (April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989), was an Italian-American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Records and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball." In 1962, Monte would release his first million-seller, "Pepino, the Italian Mouse." Sung in a pastiche of both Neapolitan and English, "Pepino" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's kitchen and who comes out at night to eat cheese, drink wine, frighten Lou's girlfriend when she comes over and befriends the cat, sent out to catch him.
The "flip side" of the single featured another Italian-American hybrid novelty song called "What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware?)." The song presumes that George Washington was cold, tired, hungry and without a change of underwear on his famous trip. At one point in the song, "Washington" complains that the pizzas his wife Martha baked were as "cold as ice." His solution? "Sell them to the Indians for only half the price." He then asks his boatsmen to row faster because "tonight I'm posing for my picture on the dollar bill."
Monte's other famous novelty records include 'Dominick the Donkey', a holiday staple in many Italian-American households and "Pasquale, the Italian Pussycat," the sequel to "Pepino."
After his death his son continued to sing his songs in concert for some time.
He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr. leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.
Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball." In 1962, Monte would release his first million-seller, "Pepino, the Italian Mouse." Sung in a pastiche of both Neapolitan and English, "Pepino" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's kitchen and who comes out at night to eat cheese, drink wine, frighten Lou's girlfriend when she comes over and befriends the cat, sent out to catch him.
The "flip side" of the single featured another Italian-American hybrid novelty song called "What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware?)." The song presumes that George Washington was cold, tired, hungry and without a change of underwear on his famous trip. At one point in the song, "Washington" complains that the pizzas his wife Martha baked were as "cold as ice." His solution? "Sell them to the Indians for only half the price." He then asks his boatsmen to row faster because "tonight I'm posing for my picture on the dollar bill."
Monte's other famous novelty records include 'Dominick the Donkey', a holiday staple in many Italian-American households and "Pasquale, the Italian Pussycat," the sequel to "Pepino."
After his death his son continued to sing his songs in concert for some time.
He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr. leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.
Domenick the Donkey
Lou Monte Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Lou Monte:
(At The) Darktown Strutters Ball I'll be down to get you in a taxi honey Better…
(At The) Darktown Strutters' Ball (Italian Style) Well, I'll be down to get you with the pushcart,…
Adeste Fideles O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O…
Angelique Angelique, Angelique Your mama got to take you back Angeliqu…
At the Darktown Strutters' Ball I'll be down to get you in a taxi honey Better…
Bella Notte Oh this is the night, it′s a beautiful night And we…
Calypso Italiano Calypso aïe! Calypso aie! Calypso Italiano Calypso si! Calyp…
Che La Luna Mezzo Mare C' 'na luna mezz'u mare Mamma mia m'a maritare Figlia mia a…
Comm'e Belle A Stagione Ah, com'e bella la stagione Senza lampi, senza tuoni,senza v…
Dominic the Donkey Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw It's Dominick, the do…
Dominick the Donkey Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw It's Dominick, the don…
Dominick The Donkey (The Itali Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw It's Dominick, the do…
Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey) Hey! Chingedy ching, (hee-haw, hee-haw) It's Dominick the do…
Domonic The Italian Christmas Donkey Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw It's Dominick, the do…
Eh Marie! Eh Marie! Arápete fenesta, Famme affacciá a Maria, Ca stóngo ′mmiez'â …
Guarda Che Luna C' 'na luna mezz'u mare Mamma mia m'a maritare Figlia mia a…
Ha! Ha! Ha! I have to laugh each time I think about her She…
Heart Of My Heart I sometimes wish I was a kid again Down in the…
Hey Gumbaree Hey Gumbaree ci vo sanari Chi si sona U friscalettu E…
If I Knew You Were Comin Idve Baked a Cake Well, well, well, look who's here. I haven't seen you in…
Lazy mary C'è 'na luna mezz'u mare Mamma mia m'a maritare Figlia mia a…
Lazy Mary (Luna Mezza Mare) LAZY MARY (Luna Mezzo Mare) C'è 'na luna mezz'u mare Mamma …
Luna Luna Luna Lazy Mary you better get up" She answered back, "I am…
Mala Femmena Si avisse fatto a n'ato chello ch'e fatto a me st'ommo t'ave…
Pepino Pepino, oh, you little mouse, oh, won't you go away Find…
Please Mr. Columbus In fourteen hundred ninety two, three ships set out to sea: …
Roman guitar Purple shadows are creeping And the fountain is weeping Hear…
Santo Natale Santo Natale, Santo Natale This is my way of saying Merry Ch…
Senza Mamma E Nnammurata! Sperduto comm'a cane ‘mmiez'â via, chiagne stu core mio addu…
Silver Bells City sidewalks, busy sidewalks Dressed in holiday style In…
Skinny Lena E si voi venì te port a Brookalina Ti faro verdè…
The Sheik Of Araby "I'm the Sheik of Araby, Your love belongs to me. At…
The Sheik of Napoli "I'm the Sheik of Araby, Your love belongs to me. At…
The Wife I have traveled to so many places And so many things…
tijuana italiano 1.Тунги аспанга жарасады ай карап Жайма шуак самал ести майд…
Vera's Veranda Vera's a girl who loves puppies and turtledoves. Rabbits she…
Volare Penso che un sogno così non ritorni mai più Mi dipingevo…
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Ryan Burkholder
I don't understand how "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" gets all the radio play when this gem is just sitting out there getting no love
Timtwoface
They both start the same way, too!
todd holmes
Believe it or not, I NEVER heard this song before. It's cute! Better than a lot of the crap you usually hear at Christmas, like "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer, " (etc.)
Timtwoface
@todd holmes Hey now, that's a great song too - but this Donkey song deserves more love on the airwaves!
todd holmes
@Timtwoface I want to hear "I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas!
Coast Home
Amen
Sarah
This was played every Christmas on my Sicilian grandparent’s record player. We’d put it on and all dance around like idiots after Christmas Eve dinner. Such nice memories.
chown
ok
Affordable Self Storage of Hudson
me too! I still hvae the 78 record - Don't forget Pepino the little italian mouse! My grandparents were from Sicily te best memories
Tom Kutz
Heard it at the grocery store, very catchy. Grew up in an Ethnic German family in St. Louis Missouri, had lots of German music, my family Silesia, East Prussia. Brandenburg