Tino Rossi (April 29, 1907 - September 26, 1983) was a singer and film acto… Read Full Bio ↴Tino Rossi (April 29, 1907 - September 26, 1983) was a singer and film actor.

Born Constantino Rossi in Ajaccio, Corsica, France, he became a tenor of French cabaret and one of the great romantic idols of his time. Gifted with an operatic voice, a "Latin Lover" persona made him a movie star as well. Over his career, Rossi made hundreds of records and appeared in more than 25 films, the most notable of which was the 1953 production, Si Versailles m'était conté directed by Sacha Guitry. His romantic ballads had women swooning and his art-songs by Jules Massenet (1842-1912), Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947), and other composers helped draw sold out audiences wherever he performed.

As a young man, he played guitar and sang at a variety of small venues in his hometown of Ajaccio before going on to perform in Marseilles and at resort clubs along the French Riviera. In the early 1930s he went to Paris and within a few years achieved enormous success, joining a Columbia Records roster that included the biggest stars of the day such as Lucienne Boyer, Damia, Pills et Tabet, Mireille, and Jean Sablon.

Rossi's success was greatly aided by songwriter Vincent Scotto (1876-1952), who wrote his first hits and collaborated with him for many years, composing and arranging many Rossi songs. Prior to World War II. Rossi was a major box office attraction in the French speaking world but expanded his audience to America with a 1938 visit followed up by wartime tours across the USA and Canada. In 1946, his song "Petit Papa Noël" sold more than thirty million copies worldwide. A Christmas classic for the family, the song still sells by the thousands each Yuletide season. The recipient of many musical awards, including the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque, Tino Rossi is the most popular personality to ever come from Corsica other than Napoleon Bonaparte.

In 1947 he married Lilia Vetti, a young dancer he met while making a film. They would have a son together in a marriage that lasted for a lifetime. A star of film and the operetta scene, Tino Rossi's career also evolved into the television era, appearing in a number of popular variety shows. Age, and the advent of rock and roll in the 1960s saw him take backstage with the new generation of music lovers but he remained enormously popular with a following built up over fifty years of performing.

In 1982, for his contribution to France and its culture, President François Mitterrand named Tino Rossi a Commander of the Legion of Honor. That same year Rossi gave his last public performance at the Casino de Paris, a show that popular demand turned into a three month stint.

Tino Rossi died of pancreatic cancer in 1983 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. His body returned to his native Ajaccio for burial in the family plot at the local cemetery. His hometown named a street and the sailing harbor in his honor and at Nogent-sur-Marne, on the River Marne in Paris, there is a square named Tino Rossi Square.

Beaucoup de caresses
Tino Rossi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Souvent je cherche dans tes yeux
Ce charme mystérieux
Qui follement me poursuit,
Le jour, la nuit.
Pourtant la douceur de ta voix
Me met en désarroi,
Sachant que, dans tes serments,
Toujours tu mens.

Refrain :
Dis-moi le secret de tes caresses,
La raison de ma faiblesse,
De mon émoi.
Dis-moi pourquoi malgré tout,
Je t'aime,
Pourquoi je reviens quand même
Toujours vers toi...
J'ai juré de fuir cet amour incompris,
Mais, dès que tu me souris,
Je suis repris.
Dis-moi le secret de tes caresses,
La raison de ma faiblesse
Auprès de toi.

Pourquoi lutter obstinément,
Fuir cet envoûtement ?
Jamais de toi ne viendrait
Un seul regret.
J'aurais le droit de te haïr
Toi qui me fais souffrir
Mais toujours je t'appartiens,
Je n'y puis rien.

Refrain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tino Rossi & Marcel Cariven Orchestra's song "Le secret de tes caresses" revolve around the singer's intense and conflicted feelings towards their partner. The song describes the search for a mysterious charm in their partner's eyes that constantly captivates them, both during the day and at night. However, despite the sweetness of their partner's voice, there is a sense of unease because the singer knows that their partner always lies in their promises.

The chorus asks the partner to reveal the secret behind their caresses and the reason for the singer's weakness and emotional turmoil. Despite their determination to break free from this misunderstood love, the singer finds themselves drawn back to their partner whenever they smile. The lyrics express the internal struggle of the singer, torn between wanting to flee from this enthrallment and their inability to resist their partner's hold over them.

In the final verse, the singer questions why they must persistently fight against this enchantment and why they cannot feel any regret towards their partner. They acknowledge that they have the right to hate their partner who causes them pain, yet they continue to belong to them, unable to control the deep connection they share.

Overall, "Le secret de tes caresses" delves into the complex emotions of love, longing, and vulnerability, as the singer grapples with their irresistible attraction to their partner despite the knowledge of deceit.

Line by Line Meaning

Souvent je cherche dans tes yeux
Frequently, I search for that mysterious charm in your eyes

Ce charme mystérieux
That enchanting mystery

Qui follement me poursuit
Which fervently pursues me

Le jour, la nuit
Both day and night

Pourtant la douceur de ta voix
However, the sweetness of your voice

Me met en désarroi
Leaves me perplexed

Sachant que, dans tes serments
Knowing that, in your promises

Toujours tu mens
You always lie

Refrain
Chorus

Dis-moi le secret de tes caresses
Tell me the secret of your caresses

La raison de ma faiblesse
The reason for my weakness