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.
Bonsoir à la France
Tino Rossi Lyrics
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On meurt d'envie de retour dans le train
Le nez au carreau d'ouvrir la portière,
Et d'embrasser tout comme do bon pain.
Ce vieux clocher dans le soleil couchant
Ça sent si bon la France !
Ces grands blés mûrs emplis de fleurs des champs,
Ça sent si bon la France !Ce jardinet où l'on voit "Chien méchant"
Ça sent si bon la France !
A chaque gare un murmure,
En passant vous saisit :
"Paris direct, en voiture"
Oh ça sent bon le pays !
On arrive enfin, fini le voyage.
Un vieux copain vient vous sauter au cou.
Il a l'air heureux, on l'est davantage,
Car en sortant tout vous en fiche un coup.
Le long des rues ces refrains de chez nous,
Ça sent si bon la France !
Sur un trottoir ce clochard aux yeux doux,
Ça sent si bon la France !
Ces gens qui passent en dehors des clous,
Ça sent si bon la France !
Les moineaux qui vous effleurent,
La gouaille des titis,
"Paris Midi,
Dernière heure."
Oh ça sent bon le pays !
Et tout doucement, la vie recommence,
On s'était promis de tout avaler.
Mais les rêves bleus, les projets immenses,
Pour quelques jours on les laisse filer.
Cette brunette aux yeux de paradis,
Le PMU qui ferme avant midi "Oh là, oh là là !"
Ça sent si bon la France !
Le petit bar où l'on vous fait crédit.
Oh ça sent si bon la France !
see'est samedi faut plus s'en faire, repos jusqu'à lundi !
Belote et re-, dix de der.
Ça sent bon le pays !
Quel pays ?
Mais ça sent bon notre pays, mais oui !
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Bonsoir à la France" express a longing for home after being away. The singer describes the feeling of looking out of the train window, eager to open the door and embrace the familiar sights and smells of France. The mention of a old church tower in the setting sun and ripe wheat fields filled with wildflowers evoke a nostalgic sense of the country's beauty. The small garden with a sign saying "Beware of the dog" brings a touch of familiarity as well. The lyrics also mention the murmurs at each train station, the excitement of arriving, and being greeted by a dear friend. The refrain emphasizes the scent of France, the feeling of being back in the country and all the familiar and beloved things that come with it.
The song captures the emotions and sensory experiences of returning home, highlighting the essence of France and how it is deeply ingrained in the singer's heart and senses. The lyrics celebrate the simple joys of being in one's own country, from the sparrow's touch to the swagger of the Parisians, and the lively atmosphere of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand on a roulé sur la terre entière,
When you have traveled all over the world,
On meurt d'envie de retour dans le train
You long to go back on the train
Le nez au carreau d'ouvrir la portière,
With your nose pressed against the window, opening the door
Et d'embrasser tout comme do bon pain.
And to embrace everything like good bread.
Ce vieux clocher dans le soleil couchant
That old bell tower in the setting sun
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Ces grands blés mûrs emplis de fleurs des champs,
Those ripe wheat fields filled with wildflowers
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Ce jardinet où l'on voit "Chien méchant"
That little garden where you see "Beware of Dog"
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
A chaque gare un murmure,
At every train station, a whisper,
En passant vous saisit :
As you walk by, it seizes you:
"Paris direct, en voiture"
"Direct to Paris, get in the car"
Oh ça sent bon le pays !
Oh, it smells of home!
On arrive enfin, fini le voyage.
You finally arrive, the journey is over.
Un vieux copain vient vous sauter au cou.
An old friend comes to hug you.
Il a l'air heureux, on l'est davantage,
He looks happy, and we are even happier
Car en sortant tout vous en fiche un coup.
Because as soon as you step out, nothing else matters.
Le long des rues ces refrains de chez nous,
Along the streets, those melodies from our country,
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Sur un trottoir ce clochard aux yeux doux,
On a sidewalk, that homeless man with gentle eyes,
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Ces gens qui passent en dehors des clous,
Those people crossing outside of the crosswalks,
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Les moineaux qui vous effleurent,
The sparrows that brush against you,
La gouaille des titis,
The impertinence of the lads,
"Paris Midi, Dernière heure."
"Paris Midday, Last Hour."
Oh ça sent bon le pays !
Oh, it smells of home!
Et tout doucement, la vie recommence,
And slowly, life begins again
On s'était promis de tout avaler.
We had promised ourselves to take everything in.
Mais les rêves bleus, les projets immenses,
But the blue dreams, the immense projects,
Pour quelques jours on les laisse filer.
For a few days, we let them slip away.
Cette brunette aux yeux de paradis,
That brunette with eyes like paradise,
Oh ça sent si bon la France !
Oh, it smells so good of France!
Le PMU qui ferme avant midi "Oh là, oh là là !"
The PMU that closes before noon "Oh là, oh là là!"
Ça sent si bon la France !
It smells so good of France!
Le petit bar où l'on vous fait crédit.
The small bar where they give you credit.
Oh ça sent si bon la France !
Oh, it smells so good of France!
C'est samedi faut plus s'en faire, repos jusqu'à lundi !
It's Saturday, no need to worry, rest until Monday!
Belote et re-, dix de der.
Belote and re-, last ten.
Ça sent bon le pays !
It smells of home!
Quel pays ?
Which country?
Mais ça sent bon notre pays, mais oui !
But it smells of our country, yes!
Lyrics © EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE
Written by: JACQUES LARUE, LOUIGUY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind