Operatic career:
Born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was exposed to opera and singing at a young age, and by the age of 16 his vocal talent became apparent. Starting out in local operatic productions in Philadelphia, he later came to the attention of conductor Serge Koussevitzky, who provided young Cocozza with a full student scholarship to the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Koussevitzky would later tell Lanza that, "Yours is a voice such as is heard once in a hundred years."
His operatic debut, as Fenton in Otto Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor, was at Tanglewood on August 7, 1942, after just six weeks of study with conductors Boris Goldovsky and Leonard Bernstein. It was here that Cocozza adopted his stage name from his mother Maria's maiden name of Lanza. His performances at Tanglewood won him critical acclaim, with Noel Straus of The New York Times hailing the 21-year-old tenor as having "few equals among tenors of the day in terms of quality, warmth, and power."
His operatic career was interrupted by World War II, when he was assigned to Special Services in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He appeared on the wartime shows On the Beam and Winged Victory while in the Air Corps.
He resumed his singing career in October 1945 on the CBS radio program Great Moments in Music, where he made six appearances singing various operatic selections. He later studied under Enrico Rosati for fifteen months, then embarked on an 86-concert tour of the United States, Canada and Mexico between July 1947 and May 1948 with George London and Frances Yeend. In April 1948, he sang Pinkerton in the New Orleans Opera's Madama Butterfly. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl brought Lanza to the attention of MGM's Louis B. Mayer, who signed Lanza to a seven-year film contract with Metro Goldwyn Mayer. This would prove to be a turning point in the young singer's career.
Film career:
MGM's contract with Lanza required him to commit to the studio for six months, and at first Lanza was able to combine his film career with his operatic one, singing two acclaimed performances as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for the New Orleans Opera Association in April 1948. He also continued to perform in concert, both in solo appearances and as part of the Bel Canto Trio with George London and Frances Yeend. In May 1949, he made his first commercial recordings with RCA Victor. However, his first two films, That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans, were very successful, as was his recording career, and Lanza's fame increased dramatically.
In 1951, Lanza portrayed Enrico Caruso in The Great Caruso, which proved to be an astonishing success. At the same time, his popularity exposed Lanza to intense criticism by music critics, including those who had praised his work years earlier.
In 1954, Lanza was dismissed by MGM after he had pre-recorded the songs for The Student Prince. The film was subsequently made with actor Edmund Purdom miming to Lanza's vocals. During this period Lanza came very close to bankruptcy as a result of poor investment decisions made by his former manager. Owing about $250,000 in back taxes to the IRS, Lanza withdrew from the public eye for a time.
Mario Lanza at home.He returned to an active film career in 1956 in Serenade; despite its strong musical content, it was not as successful as his previous films. Lanza then moved to Rome, Italy in May 1957, where he worked on the film Seven Hills of Rome and returned to live performing in a series of acclaimed concerts throughout Britain, Ireland and the European Continent. In early 1958, he auditioned for the management of La Scala in Milan, and was immediately offered a minimum two-year contract to sing at that theatre. The opera initially discussed was Puccini's Tosca. Later that year, Lanza also agreed to open the 1960/61 season at the Rome Opera as Canio in Pagliacci. At the same time, however, his health began to decline, with the tenor suffering from a variety of ailments, including phlebitis and acute high blood pressure. The following year, in April 1959, Lanza suffered a minor heart attack, followed by double pneumonia in August. He died in Rome in October of that year at the age of 38 from a pulmonary embolism. His widow moved back to Hollywood with their four children and died of a drug overdose five months later; the younger of their two sons died of a heart attack at the age of 37. When Lanza died rumors spread that the notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano (Salvatore Luciano) had had him killed after he refused to perform for him but those rumors quickly died down because they simply were not true. Soprano Maria Callas would later say of him, "My biggest regret is not to have had the opportunity to sing with the greatest tenor voice I've ever heard."
Lanza's short career covered opera, radio, concerts, recordings, and motion pictures. He was the first artist for RCA Victor Red Seal to receive a gold disc. He was also the first artist to sell two and half million albums. A highly influential artist, Lanza has been credited with inspiring the careers of successive generations of opera singers, including Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Leo Nucci and Jose Carreras, as well as those of singers with seemingly different backgrounds, and influences, his RCA Victor label-mate Elvis Presley being the most notable example. In 1994, tenor José Carreras paid tribute to Lanza in a worldwide concert tour, saying of him, "If I'm an opera singer, it's thanks to Mario Lanza."
Because You're Mine
Mario Lanza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
Because you're mine! because you're mine!
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
In "Because You're Mine," Mario Lanza expresses his deep adoration and reverence for his romantic partner. He begins by describing how even the brightest star in the sky is envious of him because he has the love of the person he sings about. The song goes on to explain how everything in Lanza's world seems to revolve around his significant other. The breeze becomes a melody because she is there, and Lanza only lives for the kiss that she alone can give him. When they're together and kiss, their passion creates a sound that is so intense and powerful that it might be thunder. But it's not - it's just his heart applauding because of the affection he has for her. Throughout the song, Lanza makes it clear that she is his world and that the love they share is the most important thing to him.
One of the critical themes of the song is undoubtedly love and passionate devotion. The lyrics portray an individual so dedicated to their partner that they are willing to live for their partner's kiss alone. Additionally, Lanza talks about how nothing else in the world matters when he's with his significant other because she is his everything. The idea of love being the most powerful force in someone's life is a central theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
The admirations of a million stars fade in comparison to the special feeling I have for you.
My love, and envies me because you're mine
The most cherished things in this world, envies the intense love I have for you.
Because you're mine because you're mine
The reason behind my every breath, my every heartbeat, is you, because you're mine.
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
Even the simplest things in nature tunes up to the melodious tunes of my love for you.
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
The reason behind every enchanting tune that has ever existed lies behind the love that I have for you.
I only know for as long as I may live
For as long as I breathe the air of the earth, I will only live for the love that you bring me.
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
I savour every bit of your touch, every breath, every kiss, they are the essence of my whole life.
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
The feeling of our lips meeting is not the loud noise of thunder, rather it's the sweet harmonious connection of our love.
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
The pounding of my heart, racing in excitement, is the only sound you'll hear, and it's a testimony of my endless devotion to you.
Because you're mine! because you're mine!
The reason behind every aspect of my life is simply that you're mine, and nothing else matters.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NICHOLAS BRODSZKY, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ChantYip
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
Because you're mine! because you're mine!
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
Reply
@Guliashvili
Because you're mine
The brightest star I see
Looks down, my love and envies me
Because you're mine, because you're mine
Because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by
Becomes a melody and why?
Because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss
That isn't thunder, dear
It's only my poor heart you hear and it's applause
Because you're mine
Because you're mine
@eileenwalsh765
Never will there ever be another to replace Mario. He is in heaven singing with the angels. I followed all his movies when I was a teenager and right through to this very day. His portrayal of Caruso absolutely amazing. Rest in peace Mario. .
@joanschilleci7564
Mario, Always and Forever. When I was young, I also thought of him as "the world's greatest tenor". But as I've grown older, I have come to realize that he was so much more than that. He was also the "world's greatest baritone". In this wonderful love song as in all of his others, he uses his baritone voice. His range was unbelievable as was the power of his voice. I know of his baritone voice because I am a contralto and sing along with him in his key. His voice was so pure and the expression he put in each song was incomparable. He was treated like dirt by the Hollywood "system". HIs business manager stole his money, and the IRS was after Mario for back taxes which Mario didn't know hadn't been paid. He was "made an example of" and retaliated against by the "Hollwood system" because he refused to let the director of "The Student Prince" tell Mario not to put so much expression into his songs. Mario was fired and replaced by Edmond Purdon, a minor Hollywood star who "mimed" all of Mario's songs. Mario had to move to Italy to support his family.
@mrcjrowe
Mario Lanza is the King of all Tenors 👑💯
" No vocal technique ever seems to stand in the way of yearning passion. Tremendous artistry to bring emotions to life, immortal forever. "
@knjncg23c
Timeless ... my dear, late mother was a huge fan, and so am I ... every time I hear Mario Lanza sing, it brings back wonderful memories and makes me very happy and very sad at the same time.
@ChantYip
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
Because you're mine! because you're mine!
Because you're mine the brightest star I see looks down
My love, and envies me because you're mine
Because you're mine because you're mine
The breeze that hurries by becomes a melody
And why, because you're mine, because you're mine
I only know for as long as I may live
I'll only live for the kiss that you alone may give me
And when we kiss that isn't thunder dear
It's only my poor heart you hear, and it's applause
Reply
@ronaldo190172
No matter who sings this in the future, this is THE definitive version of BYM. Even though ML hated the film, he sang so very well on this (studio) version. He will never be surpassed
@gbinman
My mother loved Mario Lanza's singing. I had a 45 with Because Your Mine on side 1 and The Song Angels Sing. I played them often for my mother as it pleased her so much. This was in the mid 50's, I still tear up just thinking about it.
@califarkie
In 1952 I was in the merchant marine and each night while I was on look-out on the bow of the ship I would sing this song to the vast ocean. I was no Mario but for a few moments I was. Thanks Mario Lanza for leaving us with this beautiful music.
@nickyscott7830
What a voice Mario had the most amazing voice you can listen to him for hours and still want more, and this song is one of my favorits.
@frankmurray908
nicky scott