A fantastic and passionate Naples characterized his youth. A Naples full of laughs and poetry ruled by irony and comedy, where everything is between the dream world and reality.
Upon visiting Italy, Goethe once said “Naples is a place where everyone lives in an exhilarating oblivion.
Carosone doesn’t hesitate to show his genuine passion for music and in particular his love for the piano. With several sacrifices, his parents indulge him in his passion and they have him study with real “maestri” such as Vincenzo Romaniello, Celeste Capuana and Alberto Curci. When his mother dies prematurely, Renato (the eldest of 3) helps his father run the household, by doing all kinds of odd jobs.
He forms the first Carosone “trio” with his brother and sister. His relatives, neighbors and peers are very enthusiastic.
As the years go by Renato who at this time is a seventeen-year-old, goes to Africa with an artistic Company of performers as a pianist and an orchestra director.
When the African tour concludes its stay, they all return to Italy, all except Carosone who remains in Africa with the Addis Abeba orchestra.
In 1937, Carosone has several musical experiences. These experiences show him new ways of making music.
During the Second World War, Carosone is drafted and sent on the British – Somalia front. The following year, Carosone takes his place behind the piano, with Jazz, but this time in an English club.
He will later direct small and big orchestras for nightclubs, variety shows, operettas and real orchestra concerts.
In 1946 at the age of 26, Carosone returns to Italy from Somalia on one of the first ships. His success in the ex-colony doesn’t help him much, since he is completely unknown in Italy.
He has to start from scratch. The magical moment happened after several record contracts and small ballroom orchestras. In 1949, he was personally asked to form a “trio” in order to inaugurate a new nightclub in Naples. He befriends a Dutch man by the name of Van Wood and takes him on as a guitar player and singer at three in the morning.
All that was missing was the third man, the meeting takes place with the owner of the nightclub who asked Renato to form the trio.
The bespectacled Gegè di Giacomo shows up at 4:30 sharp at the Hotel Miramare in Naples where Carosone is rehearsing with Van Wood. This first meeting turns out to be somewhat comical: the drummer has no drums, since he brought them to be chromed. Carosone and Van Wood are annoyed by this and they begin doubting Gegè who then creates makeshift drums made out of: a wooden chair, a tray, three different size glasses and a whistle.
This marks the first rehearsal of the Carosone trio, which becomes famous all over the world in a very short time.
A very famous song by Carosone says: “Napoli paese d’ò sole, paese d’ò mare, paese addo’ tutt’è so’ddoce e so’ amare, so’ sempre parole d’ammore”, and it is due to this spirit that the “Trio Carosone” manage to have success wherever they appear, thanks also to their personality of each member.
When Van Wood leaves the group and finds fortune, Renato becomes unstoppable.
He forms other groups with Gegè (always by his side) and they make their first appearances in the business. “Maruzzella” paved the street for the new composer with excellent lyrics by Enzo Bonagura.
His rapid ascent began after the LP featured: Maruzzella, Torero, O Sarracino, Pianofortissimo, T’aspetto e nove, Pigliate n’a pastiglia, Caravan Petrol, O russo e a rossa, Tu vò fa l’americano, O mafiuso.
His lyrics are by a giant of light Italian music Nisa (Nicola Salerno).
“Torero” remained in the charts at number one for 14 weeks in the North American Hit Parade. It was translated in 12 languages. This enormous success opened the doors for Carosone and helped him conquer the North American market and Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Munich, Frankfurt, Hanover, Berlin, Nuremberg, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Lossana, Nice, Monte Carlo, Athens, Lisbon, Behiruth, Palma de Majorca, Rio de Janeiro, San Paolo. The group then receives the most ambitious award of all and that is to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.
The American tour begins in Cuba and then moves to Caracas and finally on January 5, 1957 the Carnegie Hall debut.
The show is an absolute success, they are no longer the “immigrants” from Naples. The group of six is dressed up and wearing Pucci ties and above all they have their wonderful smiles.
His songs begin to appear in films with Anna Magnani who sings “Maruzzella” “Nella città l’inferno”. Sofia Loren sings “Tu vò fa l’americano” with Clark Gable in “La baia di Napoli”. As well as in films with Totò and in “Main Street” by Martin Scorzese, where the soundtrack was entirely by Carosone.
In 1960 at the age of 40, Renato Carosone feels that something is changing, he starts seeing screaming girls and the Beatles and he decides to retire and take leave of the spotlight with one last television show organized for the occasion.
The announcer was Emma Danieli. Carosone told the public: “I’d rather leave while I’m on top of the wave, rather than later. These new armies in blue jeans can ruin the treasure that has been accumulated in so many years of work.”
Carosone was right even then. He stepped aside. And he wasn’t the only one. The piano his faithful and inseparable companion, for his openly reasons for living. Bach, Clementi, Chopin, Beethoven were the only light which illuminated the moment of isolation. “This was a very important moment”, says Carosone “in the past 15 years I was able to take a good look at my life as a man and musician and to put every thing in its right place, as well as to take complete possession of my piano”.
At the end of the fifteenth year a telephone call broke the silence. Sergio Bernardini who was very persuasive organized a live television show from the “Bussola” of Foretti.
The date was August 9, 1975. The reaction from the press was unanimous. An absolute success! Carosone was wearing his same Pucci tie and his smile from fifteen years before, the same songs, the same bands, the same modesty in front of his public and piano.
The only one thing that was different: the knowledge of the public, the knowledge of having found a friend if only for one night. Renato Carosone says, “I’m positive of the fact that every artist should remain faithful to only one cause until the very end, without being tempted by trends, which unfortunately are quite popular nowadays”.
Renato always remembered what Eduardo de Filippo once told him “You must do as I do! You must continue as you are, always perfecting what the public wants, and appreciates.”
After his 1975 comeback at Viareggio’s “Bussola”, Renato is tempted to return; “That same temptation one has after giving up smoking” says he “and who again tries the pleasure of smoking a cigarette.”
Song is not only art and poetry, it is also an industry and Renato doesn’t want to feel smothered or better yet conditioned by the needs and financial interests of those around him.
Therefore he resists temptation and becomes a discreet presence. Another seven years go by before entering a recording studio: this comes about through the very close co-operation he has with Sandrino Aquilani. So after 22 years of silence the “Renato Carosone ‘82” LP finally comes out. It is picked up everywhere with great enthusiasm and Renato returns in the studio with his dear friend Aquilani and finishes recording all his greatest hits, by using modern recording instruments, which by then have moved on a great deal.
“I had a great desire to perfect my repertoire, which was really run down.” This incarnates a career which sees him as a great protagonist.
Renato! What is this: music or joy of life? “Both”
'O Sarracino
Renato Carosone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutt''a città
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino,
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more, è veleno o calamita?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione, è bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
T'ha arrubbato anema e core
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Sarracino, sarracino
The lyrics to Renato Carosone's song 'O Sarracino are sung in Italian and tell the story of a charming and attractive man, or “guaglione”, who catches the eye of all the women in town. The song describes his physical attributes, including his curly hair, rogue-like eyes, and captivating smile. Women are practically falling over themselves as he passes by. They light up with a cigarette and follow him around the city, completely enamored. The lyrics suggest that he is a seductive figure, capable of winning the hearts of women effortlessly.
The chorus of the song repeats the title phrase, 'O Sarracino', which is likely a reference to the Saracens, or a medieval Arab people who were known for their skill in seduction and romance. The song plays off of this theme, implying that the character in the song is so irresistible that he must have inherited these ancient Saracen traits.
The lyrics also hint at a dark and dangerous side of 'O Sarracino'. One line suggests that he might be poisonous, comparing him to “venom or a magnet”. Another suggests that he might be stealing the hearts of women, leaving them empty and heartbroken. Overall, the song is an ode to the idea of the seductive man, who can easily woo and win over women with his charm, looks, and mysterious nature.
Line by Line Meaning
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Bellu guaglione
Beautiful boy
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
All women fall in love
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce
Has curly hair
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia
Eyes like a bandit, facing the sun
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà
Every girl falls for him as they see him pass by
Na sigaretta 'mmocca, na mana dint''a sacca
A cigarette in his mouth, one hand in his pocket
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutt''a città
And he walks away carelessly through the city
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Bellu guaglione
Beautiful boy
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
All women sigh
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Handsome face, beautiful heart
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Knows how to make love, rogue, tempter
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
If you look at him, he makes you fall in love
E na bionda s'avvelena
And a blonde poisons herself
E na bruna se ne more, è veleno o calamita?
And a brunette dies, is it poison or magnetism?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
What is it about him that drives women crazy?
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Bellu guaglione, è bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Beautiful boy, handsome face, beautiful heart
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
All women fall in love
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Bellu guaglione
Beautiful boy
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
All women sigh
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Handsome face, beautiful heart
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Knows how to make love, rogue, tempter
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
If you look at him, he makes you fall in love
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
But a red-haired girl the other night
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
With a glass and an excuse
T'ha arrubbato anema e core
Stole your soul and heart
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu
Sarracino, you're not him anymore
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Bellu guaglione
Beautiful boy
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
The charming guy, the charmer
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
All women fall in love
Sarracino, sarracino
Sarracino, Sarracino
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nicola Salerno, Renato Carosone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Silvana Alizzi
O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà...
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce...
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia...
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà...
Na sigaretta 'mmocca...
Na mana dinta sacca...
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutta città...
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' suspirà...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Sape fa' 'ammore...
È malandrino
È tentatore...
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more...
È veleno o calamita?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' suspirà...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Sape fa' 'ammore...
È malandrino
È tentatore...
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
T'ha arrubbato anema e core!
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu!...
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà...
Sarracino, sarracino!
Max R.
TESTO
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà
Na sigaretta 'mmocca, na mana dint''a sacca
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutt''a città
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino,
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more, è veleno o calamita?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione, è bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspir-
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
T'ha arrubbato anema e core
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Sarracino, sarracino
Maria Benedetta Zara
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà
Na sigaretta 'mmocca, na mana dint''a sacca
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutt''a città
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino,
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspirà
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more, è veleno o calamita?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione, è bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa suspir-
È bello 'e faccia, è bello 'e core
Sape fa 'ammore, è malandrino, è tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
T'ha arrubbato anema e core
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino, 'o sarracino
Tutt''e ffemmene fa 'nnammurà
Sarracino, sarracino
Danny Fastweb
O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Tutt''e ffemmene fa' suspira'
È bello faccia
È bello core
Sape fa' more!
È malandrino
È tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa' 'nnammura'
Tene 'e capille ricce, ricce
Ll'uocchie brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede e passa'
Na sigaretta mocca
Na mano dint' 'a sacca
E se ne va smargiasso pe' tutt''a citta'
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Tutt''e ffemmene fa' suspira'
È bello faccia
È bello core
Sape fa' more!
È malandrino
È tentatore
Si 'o guardate ve fa' 'nnammura'
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more
È veleno o calamita?
Chisto, 'e ffemmene che ll'e fa'?
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Tutt''e ffemmene fa' 'nnammura'
Ma na rossa ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa,
T'ha rubbato anema e core!
Sarracino nun si cchiu' tu!
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Bellu guaglione
'O sarracino! 'O sarracino!
Tutt''e ffemmene fa' 'nnammura'
Sarracino, sarracino!
Ana Laura
En español
El moro
el moro
un chico guapo
el moro
el moro
enamora a todas las mujeres.
Tiene el pelo rizado
ojos de bandido
y el sol en la cara,
todas las muchachas se ruborizan
al verlo pasar.
Un cigarro en la boca
una mano en el bolsillo
y con su aire de fanfarrón
se va por toda la ciudad.
El moro,
el moro
un chico guapo
el moro
el moro
hace suspirar a todas las mujeres.
Es guapo de cara,
es guapo de corazón,
sabe hacer el amor,
es granuja
es tentador
si lo miráis, os enamora.
Y una rubia se envenena
y una morena muere por él
¿es veneno o imán?
éste, ¿qué les hace a las mujeres?
El moro,
el moro
un chico guapo
es guapo de cara,
es guapo de corazón,
enamora a todas las mujeres.
El moro,
el moro
un chico guapo
el moro
el moro
hace suspirar a todas las mujeres.
Es guapo de cara,
es guapo de corazón,
sabe hacer el amor
es granuja,
es tentador,
si lo miráis, os enamora.
Pero una pelirroja la otra noche
con un beso y una excusa
te ha robado el alma y el corazón.
Sarraceno ya no eres el mismo…
El moro
el moro
un chico guapo
el moro
el moro
enamora a todas las mujeres.
Salvino Casu
Questo brano è semplicemente perfetto per ritmo e strumentazione. È sempre bello riascoltarlo anche a distanza di anni. Carosone un grande, indimenticabile!!
Rita Ascione
😍
Manuel Martin Ycaza Sr
SOY ECUATOIRIANO , PERO ME ENCANTA LA MUSICA NAPOLITANA, ES MUY ALEGRE, Y ME TRAE MUCHOS RECUERDOS
Matty Paredes
Yo igual ecuatoriana 🇪🇨 escuchando al Maestro ❤
Silvana Alizzi
O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà...
Tene 'e capille ricce ricce...
Ll'uocchie 'e brigante e 'o sole 'nfaccia...
Ogne figliola s'appiccia si 'o vede 'e passà...
Na sigaretta 'mmocca...
Na mana dinta sacca...
E se ne va, smargiasso, pe' tutta città...
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' suspirà...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Sape fa' 'ammore...
È malandrino
È tentatore...
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
E na bionda s'avvelena
E na bruna se ne more...
È veleno o calamita?
Chisto a 'e ffemmene che lle fa?
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' suspirà...
È bello 'e faccia
È bello 'e core:
Sape fa' 'ammore...
È malandrino
È tentatore...
Si 'o guardate ve fa 'nnammurà
Ma na rossa, ll'ata sera
Cu nu vaso e cu na scusa
T'ha arrubbato anema e core!
Sarracino nun si' cchiù tu!...
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Bellu guaglione!
'O sarracino
'o sarracino
Tutte ffemmene fa' 'nnammurà...
Sarracino, sarracino!
jack_O_BOnnie
Bravo 👏
Herr Italiener
Graziieee😄😄👍👍
Florent Weck
Anche nelle parole non capisco tutto... Que vòs, à cadun la sieuna lenga...
Adri Adriana
Fa accapponare la pelle questa traduzione.. agghiacciate... dice proprio grano saraceno!!!
Claudio Carpentieri
Viva il maestro Carosone, per sempre nei cuori di tutti noi! 🇮🇹