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”
Chella Llà
Renato Carosone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me teneva 'ncatenato
Ma ho detto basta e
Mi so' liberato
Me pare cchiu'
Turchino 'o mare
Me pare cchiu'
Lucente 'o sole
P' 'a felicita'.
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Mo' va dicenno
'ca me vo' lassa'
Se crede
'ca me faccio 'o
Sangue amaro
Se crede
'ca 'mpazzisco e
Po' me sparo
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Nun sape che piacere
'ca me fa
Me ne piglio
Nata cchiu' bella
E zitella restarra'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'!
Ajere m'ha mandato
Nu' biglietto
P' 'a figlia
D' 'o purtiere
Di rimpetto
Me scrive
C' 'a nun e' felice
E c' 'a vurria
Cu me fa pace
Ma io me sto
Gustanno 'a liberta'.
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Mo' va dicenno
'ca me vo' lassa'
Se crede
'ca me faccio 'o
Sangue amaro
Se crede
'ca 'mpazzisco e
Po' me sparo
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Nun sape che piacere
'ca me fa
Me ne piglio
Nata cchiu' bella
E zitella restarra'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'!
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Nun sape che piacere
'ca me fa
Me ne piglio
Nata cchiu' bella
E zitella restarra'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'!
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'
Chella lla'!
The lyrics to Renato Carosone's "Chella Llà" (which means "that girl") depict an individual who was once bound by love but has realized that they needed to break free. They express that the world seems to be more vibrant now that they are no longer restrained. The singer is singing for happiness, a positive reflection on their newfound freedom. The repetition of "Chella Llà" throughout the song serves as a reminder of their past struggles.
As the song continues, the singer notes that others are talking about them, suggesting that they are leaving behind a past life. They acknowledge that some may think their actions are foolish or mad and may lead to a bitter end. However, the singer is content with their decision to pursue happiness and will continue to do so. They prefer remaining single than being tied down by a love that did not make them happy.
Overall, "Chella Llà" is a song about taking control of one's life and seeking happiness regardless of what others may think. It serves as a reminder to listeners that sometimes the best decision is to not let love hold you back from living your best life.
Line by Line Meaning
St'ammore
This love
Me teneva 'ncatenato
Had me bound
Ma ho detto basta e
But I said enough is enough and
Mi so' liberato
I freed myself
Me pare cchiu'
It seems to me more
Turchino 'o mare
Turquoise blue the sea
Me pare cchiu'
It seems to me more
Lucente 'o sole
Bright the sun
E sto' cantanno
And now I'm singing
P' 'a felicita'.
For happiness.
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Mo' va dicenno
Now they're saying
'ca me vo' lassa'
That they want to leave me
Se crede
If they believe
'ca me faccio 'o
That I'm making
Sangue amaro
Bitter blood
Se crede
If they believe
'ca 'mpazzisco e
That I'm going crazy and
Po' me sparo
Then I'll shoot myself
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Nun sape che piacere
She doesn't know the pleasure
'ca me fa
She gives me
Me ne piglio
I'll take
Nata cchiu' bella
The most beautiful thing
E zitella restarra'
And remain single
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Ajere m'ha mandato
Yesterday she sent me
Nu' biglietto
A ticket
P' 'a figlia
For the daughter
D' 'o purtiere
Of the porter
Di rimpetto
Across from
Me scrive
She writes to me
C' 'a nun e' felice
That she's not happy
E c' 'a vurria
And that she would
Cu me fa pace
Make peace with me
Ma io me sto
But I am
Gustanno 'a liberta'.
Enjoying my freedom.
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Mo' va dicenno
Now they're saying
'ca me vo' lassa'
That they want to leave me
Se crede
If they believe
'ca me faccio 'o
That I'm making
Sangue amaro
Bitter blood
Se crede
If they believe
'ca 'mpazzisco e
That I'm going crazy and
Po' me sparo
Then I'll shoot myself
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Nun sape che piacere
She doesn't know the pleasure
'ca me fa
She gives me
Me ne piglio
I'll take
Nata cchiu' bella
The most beautiful thing
E zitella restarra'
And remain single
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'!
That girl!
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Nun sape che piacere
She doesn't know the pleasure
'ca me fa
She gives me
Me ne piglio
I'll take
Nata cchiu' bella
The most beautiful thing
E zitella restarra'
And remain single
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'!
That girl!
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Chella lla'
That girl
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.