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.
Chanson Napolitaine
Tino Rossi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que la mode exotique, les pas frénétiques les ont remplacées
Ça devient le chic suprême, rock n' roll ou cha cha cha
Mais pour dire "Je t'aime" comme autrefois
Canto une canzone Napolitana
Un air qui vient tout droit de Santa Lucia
Vieni vieni bella bell'amore
Et la belle ouvre sa fenêtreFrissonnante de tout son être
Chantons une romance Napolitaine
Elle dira bien mieux nos joies nos peines
Que la dernière invention américaine
Si tu veux ce soir le bonheur
Nous emportera coeur à coeur
Au son d'une romance Napolitaine
Vieni vieni bella bell'amore amore
Et la belle ouvre sa fenêtre
Frissonnante de tout son être
Chantons une romance Napolitaine
Elle dira bien mieux nos joies nos peines
Que la dernière invention américaine
Si tu veux ce soir le bonheur
Nous emportera coeur à coeur
Au son d'une romance Napolitaine
Chantons une chanson Napolitaine
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Chanson Napolitaine" reflect a nostalgic sentiment for the romances of the past, suggesting that they are seen as outdated in today's fast-paced world. The lyrics contrast the traditional romance with the modern trends of exoticism and frenetic dance styles like rock 'n' roll and cha cha cha. The singer expresses a longing to convey feelings of love in the simple and timeless manner of old, by singing a Neapolitan song. This choice is a deliberate nod to a bygone era, where emotions were expressed with pure and heartfelt simplicity.
The lyrics highlight the enduring charm of Neapolitan music, symbolized by the mention of Santa Lucia and the invitation for the beloved to open her window. There is a sense of yearning and passion in the imagery of the belle responding to the serenade, trembling with emotion as they share a moment of connection through song. The Neapolitan romance is extolled as a powerful form of expression that can eloquently convey the nuances of joy and sorrow better than the latest American inventions, suggesting a deeper emotional resonance with the traditional melodies.
The repetition of the invitation "Vieni vieni bella bell'amore" creates a sense of intimacy and longing, emphasizing the desire for the beloved to join in the romantic moment. The singer urges the listener to embrace the happiness offered by the Neapolitan romance, promising a shared experience that will unite their hearts in a profound way. The music becomes a conduit for emotions, allowing for a deep connection between the singer and the listener, transcending the superficial distractions of contemporary trends.
In the final repetition of the chorus, the call to sing a Neapolitan song is a plea to hold on to the timeless beauty and emotional depth of traditional music in the face of changing times. The song embodies a longing for simplicity, authenticity, and genuine emotion, urging the listener to find solace and fulfillment in the evocative power of music. Through its evocative lyrics and melodic charm, "Chanson Napolitaine" invites us to rediscover the enduring magic of classic romance, reminding us of the rich cultural heritage that can still resonate deeply in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
On dit que les romances de notre enfance sont bien dépassées
It is said that the romantic songs of our childhood are outdated
Que la mode exotique, les pas frénétiques les ont remplacées
That exotic trends and frantic dance moves have replaced them
Ça devient le chic suprême, rock n' roll ou cha cha cha
It becomes the ultimate trend, rock 'n' roll or cha-cha-cha
Mais pour dire "Je t'aime" comme autrefois
But to say 'I love you' like in the past
Canto une canzone Napolitana
I sing a Neapolitan song
Un air qui vient tout droit de Santa Lucia
A tune that comes straight from Santa Lucia
Vieni vieni bella bell'amore
Come, come beautiful love
Et la belle ouvre sa fenêtre
And the beauty opens her window
Frissonnante de tout son être
Shivering with all her being
Chantons une romance Napolitaine
Let's sing a Neapolitan romance
Elle dira bien mieux nos joies nos peines
It will express our joys and sorrows much better
Que la dernière invention américaine
Than the latest American invention
Si tu veux ce soir le bonheur
If tonight you want happiness
Nous emportera cœur à cœur
It will carry us heart to heart
Au son d'une romance Napolitaine
To the sound of a Neapolitan romance
Chantons une chanson Napolitaine
Let's sing a Neapolitan song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Constantin ROSSI, Henri VARNA, Marcel CABRIDENS, Renato RANUCCI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philippe6003
On dit que les romances
De notre enfance
Sont bien dépassées
Que la mode exotique
Les pas frénétiques
Les ont remplacées
Ça devient le chic suprême
Rock and roll ou cha-cha-cha
Mais pour dire Je t'aime
Comme autrefois…
(Que cosa canta, que cosa canta ?)
Canto una canzone, una burritana
Un air qui vient tout droit de Santa Lucia
Vieni, vieni, bella, bella, amor, amore
Et la belle ouvre sa fenêtre
Frissonnante de tout son être
Chantons une romance napolitaine
Elle dira bien mieux nos joies, nos peines
Que la dernière invention américaine
Si tu veux ce soir, le bonheur
Nous emportera cœur à cœur
Au son d'une romance napolitaine
Vieni, vieni, bella, bella, amor, amore
Et la belle ouvre sa fenêtre
Frissonnante de tout son être
Chantons une romance napolitaine
Elle dira bien mieux nos joies, nos peines
Que la dernière invention américaine
Si tu veux ce soir, le bonheur
Nous emportera cœur à cœur
Au son d'une romance napolitaine
(Que cosa canta, que cosa canta ?)
Chantons une chanson napolitaine
@nicoizzo900
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