Renato Carosone was born in Naples on January 3, 1920. He is know as the sy… Read Full Bio ↴Renato Carosone was born in Naples on January 3, 1920. He is know as the symbol of the “canzone napoletana” in the whole world. He made the whole world sing, dance, have fun, dream, fall in love with his innate good humor and his music. Including China.
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”
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”
Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano
Renato Carosone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Puorte 'e cazune cu nu stemma arreto
Na cuppulella c'a visiera aizata
Passa scampanianno pe' Tuleto
Comm'a nu guappo, pe' te fa' guardà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t''o ffa fa'?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda
Ma se bevi whisky and soda
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rock'n'roll
Tu giochi a baseball
Ma e sorde p''e Camel
Chi te li da?
La borsetta di mammà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Comme te po' capi' chi te vo' bene
Si tu le parle miezo americano?
Quanno se fa l'ammore sott' 'a luna
Comme te vene 'ncapa 'e di' "I love you"?
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t''o ffa fa'?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda
Ma se bevi whisky and soda
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rock'n'roll
Tu giochi a baseball
Ma e sorde p''e Camel
Chi te li da?
La borsetta di mammà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
(Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll)
Na cuppulella c'a visiera aizata
Passa scampanianno pe' Tuleto
Comm'a nu guappo, pe' te fa' guardà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t''o ffa fa'?
Ma se bevi whisky and soda
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rock'n'roll
Tu giochi a baseball
Ma e sorde p''e Camel
Chi te li da?
La borsetta di mammà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Comme te po' capi' chi te vo' bene
Si tu le parle miezo americano?
Quanno se fa l'ammore sott' 'a luna
Comme te vene 'ncapa 'e di' "I love you"?
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t''o ffa fa'?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda
Ma se bevi whisky and soda
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rock'n'roll
Tu giochi a baseball
Ma e sorde p''e Camel
Chi te li da?
La borsetta di mammà
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
Tu vuo' fa' l'american
(Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll)
The lyrics of Renato Carosone's song Tu Vuo' Fa L'americano describe a young Italian man who aspires to be like an American. He dresses in American style and acts like a "guappo," or a typical Italian tough guy, to impress others. However, the singer recognizes this behavior as a facade and questions why he wants to be like an American if he is already Italian. The chorus repeatedly asks "Tu vuo' fa l'americano?" which means "Do you want to be American?" The singer also notes that the singer drinks whiskey and soda, dances to rock and roll, and plays baseball, all of which are American cultural trademarks.
The second verse reflects the singer's attempts to communicate with an American lover, who speaks English fluently. The chorus repeats, questioning why he is trying to be American when he is already Italian. The lyrics suggest the singer's aspirations for Americanness are more superficial than genuine. Ultimately, the singer concludes that being authentically Italian is nothing to be ashamed of, and one should not pretend to be someone they are not.
Line by Line Meaning
Puorte 'e cazune cu nu stemma arreto
You wear a jacket with a back patch
Na cuppulella c'a visiera aizata
A cap with a visor pulled down
Passa scampanianno pe' Tuleto
Walking loudly through Naples
Comm'a nu guappo, pe' te fa' guardà
Like a gangster trying to impress
Tu vuo' fa' l'americano
You want to be an American
Mericano, mericano
American, American
Sient'a mme chi t'o ffa fa'?
Tell me, how are you going to do that?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda
You want to live in style
Ma se bevi whisky and soda
But if you drink whiskey and soda
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
You'll start feeling sick
Tu abball' o' rock'n'roll
You dance rock and roll
Tu giochi a baseball
You play baseball
Ma e sorde p'e Camel
But where do you get the money for Camel cigarettes?
Chi te li da?
Who gives them to you?
La borsetta di mamma
Your mother's purse
Comme te po' capi' chi te vo' bene
How can someone who loves you understand you?
Si tu le parle miezo americano?
If you speak half American?
Quanno se fa l'ammore sott' 'a luna
When we make love under the moonlight
Comme te vene 'ncapa 'e di' I love you
How do you find the courage to say 'I love you'?
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whiskey and soda and rock and roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whiskey and soda and rock and roll
Whisky e soda e rock'n'roll
Whiskey and soda and rock and roll
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nicola Salerno, Renato Carosone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@gioiabonazzi7122
You wear trousers showing a famous brand
you wear an hat with the peak raised
you trotting along Tuleto's streets
showing off yourself, to make people look at you
You'd like to be an American,
'merican, 'merican
listen to me, is it worth?
you want to be trendy
but if you drink "whiskey and soda"
and then you have a long hangover
You dance rock 'n' roll
you play baseball
but who gives you the money to buy Camels?
your mother's bag!
You'd like to be an American
'merican, 'merican
but you were born in Italy!
listen to me, there's nothing you can do
ok, neapolitan? (person from Naples)
You'd like to be an American
You'd like to be an American
Who can people that love you
understand you if you speak half-american?
when you are making love under the moon
how come you say "I love you"?
You'd like to be an American
'merican, 'merican,
but listen to me, is it worth?
you want to be trendy
but if you drink "whiskey and soda"
and then you have a long hangover
You dance rock 'n' roll
you play baseball
but who gives you the money to buy Camels?
your mother's bag!
You'd like to be an American
'merican, 'merican
but you were born in Italy!
ok, neapolitan? (person from Naples)
You'd like to be an American
You'd like to be an American41
You'd like to be an American
'merican, 'merican
but listen to me, is it worth?
you want to be trendy
but if you drink "whiskey and soda"
and then you have a long hangover
You dance rock 'n' roll
you play baseball
but who gives you the money to buy Camels?
your mother's bag!
@julian3620
Ammettilo: non l'hai trovata tra i raccomandati, l'hai cercata.
@giovannidesimone220
Ovvio 😉
@slim_shady267
😌
@Roxius_ita
Si
@zakhamdi7805
Ovviamente
@bellastoriella6278
Certo HAHAH
@DevilMaster
To all Americans who think this song is about a person from the US: it's not. It's about an Italian guy who wants to imitate Americans in fashion and lifestyle, but doesn't quite get it and makes himself ridiculous in the process. In other words, this song is about a poser. Which means there were already posers way back in the 1950s!
@zeyode
Kinda like weeaboos, except different nationality.
@Scuppetta1998IT
Gorillabot3000 i understand all the text
@zeyode
☣Scuppetta1998☠ Not all of us have a basic understanding of Italian.