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”
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Renato Carosone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Io cammino sbariando
Io nun tengo mai suonno nun chiudo mai
Ll'uocchie e nun bevo caffe
Va te cocca siente a mme
Va te cocca siente a mme
'na perziana ca sbatte
'nu lampione ca luce
Bussanno a'na porta madonna cunce'
'a tre mise nun dormo cchiu'
'na vucchella vurria scurda'
Gente diciteme comme aggia fa
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pe me fa addurmi' pe me fa scurda'
Il mio dolce amor
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pe me fa senti' come un gran pascia'
E mi inebria il cuor
Dint'e vetrine'e tutte'e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
E bromotelevisionato grammi zero zero 3
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pe me fa addurmi' pe me fa scurda'
Il mio dolce amor
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pe me fa senti'
Come un gran pascia'
E mi inebria il cuor
Dinte'e vetrine'e tutte'e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
E bromotelevisionato dittiti'
Bicarbonato borotalco e seme 'e lino
Cataplasma e semolino
'na custata fiorentina
Mortadella dduie panine
Cu'nu miezo litro 'e vino
Nu caffe' con caffeina
Grammi zero zero tre ueh
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
The lyrics of Renato Carosone's Pigliate 'na pastiglia speak of the singer's inability to sleep at night and his search for a solution. He walks around the city every night, unable to shut his eyes or drink coffee, and hears the sounds of shutters and street lamps. He also hears a drunk man knocking on someone's door, disturbing his peace. He longs for a solution to his sleeplessness and asks the people around him for suggestions. At this point, he suggests that everyone should take a pill to help them sleep, specifically asking his audience to take a pill and join him in feeling like a great king.
The song then goes on to describe the various medicines available in pharmacy windows, with the old chamomile tea being replaced by glycerophosphate and bromotelevisionated pills. The lyrics list off various items, including bicarbonate and talc, to suggest that there is no shortage of sleep aids. However, the chorus repeats the same plea, "Take a pill and listen to me," as the singer believes that this is the only way to solve his problem.
The tone of the song is light and playful, with the singer using humor to comment on the pharmaceutical industry and the ever-growing number of pills being marketed as cures for all sorts of ailments. The repetitive chorus underscores the idea that taking a pill is the only solution, while the long list of medicines suggests that this is not as simple as it seems.
Line by Line Meaning
Io cammino ogne notte
I walk every night
Io cammino sbariando
I walk staggering
Io nun tengo mai suonno nun chiudo mai
I never have sleep, I never close my eyes
Ll'uocchie e nun bevo caffe
In my eyes, I don't drink coffee
Va te cocca siente a mme
Come and listen to me
'na perziana ca sbatte
A shutter that is banging
'nu lampione ca luce
A street lamp that shines
E nu 'mbriaco ca dice
And a drunk who speaks
Bussanno a'na porta madonna cunce'
Knocking on a door, Madonna help
'a tre mise nun dormo cchiu'
I haven't slept for three months
'na vucchella vurria scurda'
I would like to forget a little kiss
Gente diciteme comme aggia fa
People, tell me what should I do?
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Take a pill
Pe me fa addurmi' pe me fa scurda'
To make me fall asleep, to make me forget
Il mio dolce amor
My sweet love
Pe me fa senti' come un gran pascia'
To make me feel like a great king
E mi inebria il cuor
And it makes my heart dizzy
Dint'e vetrine'e tutte'e farmaciste
Inside the windows of all the pharmacies
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
The old chamomile has given way
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
To the glycerophosphate pills
E bromotelevisionato grammi zero zero 3
And the zero gram 3 bromotelevisionated pills
Bicarbonato borotalco e seme 'e lino
Baking soda, talcum powder, and flax seeds
Cataplasma e semolino
Poultice and semolina
'na custata fiorentina
A Florentine steak
Mortadella dduie panine
Mortadella with two bread rolls
Cu'nu miezo litro 'e vino
With half a liter of wine
Nu caffe' con caffeina
A caffeinated coffee
Grammi zero zero tre ueh
Zero gram three, hey!
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia
Take a pill
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pigliate 'na pastiglia siente a mme
Take a pill, listen to me
Pe me fa addurmi' pe me fa scurda'
To make me fall asleep, to make me forget
Il mio dolce amor
My sweet love
Pe me fa senti'
To make me feel
Come un gran pascia'
Like a great king
E mi inebria il cuor
And it makes my heart dizzy
Dinte'e vetrine'e tutte'e farmaciste
Inside the windows of all the pharmacies
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
The old chamomile has given way
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
To the glycerophosphate pills
E bromotelevisionato dittiti'
And the ditties bromotelevisionated
Contributed by Lucy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michelesepe5272
Canta Napoli
Napoli in farmacia
Eh, eh
Io cammino ogne notte
Io cammino sbarianno
Io nun tengo maje suonno
Nun chiudo maje ll'uocchie
E nun bevo cafè
Va' te cócca, siente a me!
Va' te cócca, siente a me!
Na perziana ca sbatte
Nu lampione ca luce
E nu 'mbriaco ca dice
Bussanno a na porta
"Mm'arape, Cuncè'!"
'A tre mise nun dormo cchiù
Na vucchella vurría scurdá
Gente, diciteme comm'aggi"a fá
Pígliate na pastiglia!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Pe' mme fá addurmí
Pe' mme fá scurdá
Il mio dolce amor
Pígliate na pastiglia!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Pe' mme fá sentí
Come un gran pasciá
E mm'inebria il cuor
Dint"e vetrine 'e tutt"e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
Bromotelevisionato, grammi zero, zero, tre
Ah!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Dint"o scuro na gatta
Mastecanno na sarda
Doce doce mme guarda
Mme guarda, se struscia
Miagola e fa
Siente a me, vatte a cuccá!
Siente a me, vatte a cuccá!
Só' nu ciuccio 'e carretta
Carrecato d'ammore
Ca se tira stu core
Stu core ca cerca la felicitá
'A tre mise nun dormo cchiù
Na vucchella vurría scurdá
Gente, diciteme comm'aggi"a fá
Dint"e vetrine 'e tutt"e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato, bromotelevisionato
Diddittí, bicarbonato
Borotalco e seme 'e lino
Cataplasma e semolino
Na custata â fiorentina
Mortadella e duje panine
Cu nu miezu litro 'e vino
Nu caffé con caffeina
Grammi zero, zero, tre
Ah!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
@michelesepe5272
Canta Napoli
Napoli in farmacia
Eh, eh
Io cammino ogne notte
Io cammino sbarianno
Io nun tengo maje suonno
Nun chiudo maje ll'uocchie
E nun bevo cafè
Va' te cócca, siente a me!
Va' te cócca, siente a me!
Na perziana ca sbatte
Nu lampione ca luce
E nu 'mbriaco ca dice
Bussanno a na porta
"Mm'arape, Cuncè'!"
'A tre mise nun dormo cchiù
Na vucchella vurría scurdá
Gente, diciteme comm'aggi"a fá
Pígliate na pastiglia!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Pe' mme fá addurmí
Pe' mme fá scurdá
Il mio dolce amor
Pígliate na pastiglia!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Pe' mme fá sentí
Come un gran pasciá
E mm'inebria il cuor
Dint"e vetrine 'e tutt"e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato
Bromotelevisionato, grammi zero, zero, tre
Ah!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
Dint"o scuro na gatta
Mastecanno na sarda
Doce doce mme guarda
Mme guarda, se struscia
Miagola e fa
Siente a me, vatte a cuccá!
Siente a me, vatte a cuccá!
Só' nu ciuccio 'e carretta
Carrecato d'ammore
Ca se tira stu core
Stu core ca cerca la felicitá
'A tre mise nun dormo cchiù
Na vucchella vurría scurdá
Gente, diciteme comm'aggi"a fá
Dint"e vetrine 'e tutt"e farmaciste
La vecchia camomilla ha dato il posto
Alle palline 'e glicerofosfato, bromotelevisionato
Diddittí, bicarbonato
Borotalco e seme 'e lino
Cataplasma e semolino
Na custata â fiorentina
Mortadella e duje panine
Cu nu miezu litro 'e vino
Nu caffé con caffeina
Grammi zero, zero, tre
Ah!
Pígliate na pastiglia, siente a me!
@francescorusso9865
Carosone mi fa sempre divertire anche dopo mezzo secolo
@alessiopullara7170
E pensare che sono riusciti a mettere il ritornello pure all'Imperiale e all'Insomnia mentre Franchino raccontava le sue storie malate 💊😂
@vittoseve2434
Lui é increidibile!
@marianoloda8913
Continuo a riascoltarlo e non mi stanco mai ETTroppo forte
@teodosiodapolito4909
Bellissima la tua canzone 💕
@ermannosansone9870
🌟🌟. Un grande grazie. Ok! . L'unica persona in questa rivoluzione che trattava davvero tutte le persone allo stesso modo e aveva ideali forti era l'esecutore. COVID-19. ---------. ❤️.🎶. ❤️.🎶. .... Canta Napoli! . . . (((I problemi legati alla salute mentale sono comuni. Ecco alcuni consigli per ridurre lo stress e favorire il benessere. ❤️❤️❤️). 🙏.
@galinapungina155
Greatist !
@ermannosansone9870
🌟🌟. A big thank. Ok! . The only person in this revolution who really treated all people equal and had strong ideals was the executer . COVID-19. ---------. ❤️.🎶. ❤️.🎶. .... Canta Napoli! . . . ((( I problemi legati alla salute mentale sono comuni. Ecco alcuni consigli per ridurre lo stress e favorire il benessere. ❤️❤️❤️ ) . 🙏 .
@mopokopo2849
Questa canzone è bellissima la cantava mia nonna
Che di pastiglie ne ne doveva ma su di lei non funzionavano era dura come un masso
Ciao nonna materna
❤ Povero cuore