1… Read Full Bio ↴Musical groups in three genres have shared the name The Four Aces.
1. The Aces, initially known as "The Four Aces" were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker, but who also recorded without him. The initial line-up of the Aces was Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. The producer employed the group as backing singers for Dekker, recording many hits with him including "The King of Ska" (where they were credited as His Cherry Pies), "Get Up Adinah" (on which they were credited as the Four Aces"), huge hits such as "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Israelites", and the winner of the 1968 Festival Song Contest, "Music Like Dirt". By 1967 the only remaining original member was Barry Howard, along with Winston Samuels. Dekker's international success led to overseas tours, but the Aces were not taken along, Samuels refusing to fly, stating "Rastas did not fly on iron birds", and Barry Howard having already decided to emigrate to the United States. Instead they stayed in Jamaica and recorded without Dekker. They had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette", and by 1971 the line-up had again changed, with Barry now rejoined by Carl Howard. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song", and they had a near hit in the pop charts in 1973 with "Working on it Night and Day". Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street".
2. An American singing quartet which was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is well-known for a plethora of hits, including: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", " Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Shangri-La", "Perfidia". All of the group's major hits were first performed by the original four members: Al Alberts (originally Albertini), Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro. Although all were from Chester, Pennsylvania, Alberts and Mahoney actually met in the Navy. They formed a duo, with Alberts singing and Mahoney playing behind him. Later adding Vaccaro on trumpet and Silvestri on drums, the group played in the Philadelphia area. When they could not find a label which would release their record, "(It's No) Sin," Alberts started his own label, Victoria Records. "(It's No) Sin" sold a million copies! DECCA Records soon signed the group, billing them as The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts. In 1956, Alberts left The Four Aces to try to make it as a soloist, but never made the charts. He was replaced as lead singer by Fred Diodati, another Philadelphia product. Over the years, as the remaining original members left, Diodati chose new singers to replace them. The right to "The Four Aces" name eventually landed in court. In 1975, Diodati was awarded the right to the name and continued to tour under it. The founding members, who again wanted to tour, were allowed to use the name, "The Original Four Aces, Featuring Al Alberts." The latter group retired in 1987. The Four Aces are still touring. (A link to their appearances is listed below.)
3. Cajun fiddler Leo Soileau was the second Cajun musician to record his works. This occurred in the late 1930s. The Four Aces was the name of his second string band (the first had been The Rhythm Boys). Soileau reitred from music in the 1940s with the demise of the string band sound.
Three Coins In The Fountain
The Four Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it mine
Please, make it mine
Three coins in the fountain
Each one seeking happiness
Thrown by three hopeful lovers
Which on will the fountain bless
Three hearts in the fountain
Each heart longing for its home
There they lie in the fountain
Somewhere in the heart of Rome
Which one will the fountain bless
Which one will the fountain bless
Three coins in the fountain
Through the ripples how they shine
Just one wish will be granted
One heart will wear a valentine
Make it mine
Make it mine
Make it mine
Which one will the fountain bless
Which one will the fountain bless
Three coins in the fountain
Through the ripples how they shine
Just one wish will be granted
One heart will wear a valentine
Make it mine
Make it mine
Make it mine
The Four Aces' "Three Coins In The Fountain" is a classic love song about three hopeful lovers who throw coins in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy seeking happiness and love. The lyrics describe the three hearts that long for their homes in the fountain and the shimmering of the coins as they ripple through the water seeking their fate. The song ponders which one of the three lovers will win the fountain's blessing and find true love. The repetition of the line "make it mine" emphasizes the desperation of the song's narrator to have their wish granted by the fountain.
The Trevi Fountain in Rome is known for its significance in making wishes and finding love. Legend has it that throwing three coins into the fountain, using the right hand over the left shoulder, guarantees a return to Rome, finding true love, and a happy marriage respectively. This legend has attracted millions of visitors to the fountain, which is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. The simple yet effective lyrics of "Three Coins In The Fountain" capture the human desire for love and the hope that the fountain can provide.
Interestingly, the film Three Coins In The Fountain, for which this song was written, actually used a specially-made fountain for the film's climax, as the real Trevi Fountain wasn't available due to a workers' strike. "Three Coins In The Fountain" was also a hit for many other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Doris Day. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1955 and was featured in the opening credits of the popular TV series, Mad Men. Overall, "Three Coins In The Fountain" remains a timeless classic, touching the hearts of generations and embodying the romanticism and beauty of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Make it mine
The singer desires to have something and is asking for it to be given to them.
Make it mine
The singer reiterates their desire for something and is asking for it again.
Please, make it mine
The singer pleads for the thing they desire to be given to them.
Three coins in the fountain
There are three coins in a fountain, which is the setting of this story.
Each one seeking happiness
The coins are thrown into the fountain by three people who are searching for happiness.
Thrown by three hopeful lovers
The coins are thrown by three people who are in love and full of hope.
Which one will the fountain bless
The fountain has the power to grant one of the wishes made by the coin throwers.
Three hearts in the fountain
There are three hearts represented by the coins in the fountain.
Each heart longing for its home
Each person who threw a coin is longing for a place where they belong.
There they lie in the fountain
The coins and the wishes they represent are still in the fountain.
Somewhere in the heart of Rome
The fountain is located in Rome, the city of love and romance.
Through the ripples how they shine
The coins are still visible and shining through the water movement in the fountain.
Just one wish will be granted
Only one of the three wishes made by the coin throwers will be granted by the fountain.
One heart will wear a valentine
The person whose wish is granted will receive a symbol of love, a valentine.
Which one will the fountain bless
The singer repeats their earlier question about which wish will be granted by the fountain.
Which one will the fountain bless
The singer repeats their question about which wish will be chosen for happy ending.
Make it mine
The singer repeats their original desire and plea for something to be given to them.
Make it mine
The singer repeats their desire for something to be given to them.
Make it mine
The singer repeats their plea for something to be given to them.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dianalazaro8995
This is my father's favorite song, he passed away just yesterday. This reminds me of how happy he is singing this
@ralph-hudson
My father was friends with the Four Aces. I met Al Alberts several times when I was a young boy ( I'm 76 now ). He was a real nice guy. He lived in Media, PA.
@sensesfail5140
I'm very sorry for your loss. He is watching over you.
@edmonyangco8997
Same, also my father's favorite song and the band he always playing it in our stereo before he pass away.i miss my father.
@garyjackson5025
My mum is in a care home one of this group also lives there. I played this dong to both of them and other residents the other day neither knew who I was. They liked the music been played but had no connection. Live life to the full as though today is your last. ❤
@markherron1407
Happy Birthday to Al Alberts of Four 🍀 Aces Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
@spyderjockey
I can't seem to get enough of this music. It touches my soul so deep and brings me back to much easier and happier times. I sit and listen to this wonderful music with a warm glow in my heart and eyes running over down my cheeks.
@kenallanphillips
I hear ya! This music is my passion. I am doing what I can to keep it alive and honor it!
@dalezimmerman4151
I saw this movie when I was 6 years old and promised myself that I would see this fountain, it took me 60 years but I did, and this music brings it all back.
@lilshwee
I'm glad there's Youtube so I can enjoy this music too. I love it and I'm only 16!