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.
Evasion
Tino Rossi Lyrics
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Je pense à toi, le sais-tu mon amour ?
Evasion, je laisse vagabonder
Mes pensées, mes pensées
Vers toi qui m'a tant donné
Evasion, dans un rêve où tu reviens
Je suis bien, je suis bien
Ton corps entier m'appartientQue ton coeur ouvre sa porte
L'amour que j'apporte
Chante au ciel d'été
Et mes joies seront plus belles
Si tu es fidèle, pour l'éternité
Evasion, je t'imagine en secret
Contre moi, près de moi
C'est trop beau pour être vrai
Loin de mes bras, connais-tu des beaux jours ?
Je pense à toi, où es-tu mon amour ?
In Tino Rossi's song "Evasion," the lyrics reflect a deep sense of longing and yearning experienced by the singer who feels a profound emotional void due to the absence of a loved one. The opening lines create a poignant picture of separation, as the singer wonders about the daily life of their beloved, captivated by thoughts of them. This musings reveals not only a strong attachment but also an existential question: what is life like when you are not beside the one you love? The use of the word "Evasion" suggests a desire to escape the painful reality of distance. It indicates the singer's inclination towards mental escapism, where they seek solace through thoughts that transport them back to the memories of their love.
The imagery of "letting thoughts wander" emphasizes the singer's active engagement in an internal world where they can reconnect with the memories of their partner—a realm where the absence is disregarded and replaced by feelings of nostalgia. The phrase “vers toi qui m'a tant donné” highlights the appreciation and gratitude felt for what their partner has contributed to their life. This longing transcends physical distance and becomes more profound, as the singer speaks of emotional and physical possession, stating, “Ton corps entier m'appartient.” This line underscores a desire for unity and intimacy, illustrating the notion that love is not merely an emotional connection but a longing for physical closeness, suggesting that possession of that intimacy provides a sense of identity and fulfillment.
As the song progresses, the theme of dreaming emerges, indicating that the singer finds refuge in fantasy as a coping mechanism. In their dreams, the beloved returns, alleviating the suffering caused by separation and allowing the singer to feel “bien” or at peace. These dreams become essential to the singer's emotional survival, portraying love as a source of joy that transcends mundane reality. The luminous images of summer and eternal fidelity evoke notions of timelessness and the purity of love. The singer associates joy not just with the return of their beloved but also with the idea of mutual exclusivity and commitment, a hallmark of deep love, emphasizing their hopes for a future together.
In the latter part of the lyrics, the singer's thoughts take on a bittersweet tone as they question whether their loved one knows the beauty of life outside their embrace. This introspective inquiry serves as a moment of vulnerability, illustrating the singer's susceptibility to doubt and insecurity. The repetition of pondering their partner's whereabouts reinforces an overwhelming sense of yearning and longing, punctuated by the repeated query, “où es-tu mon amour?” The evocation of 'beautiful days' and the contrast with the painful reality of separation paints a rich tapestry of emotion, hinting at the transformative power of love—the essence of which encapsulates both joy and sorrow in the absence of the beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
Loin de mes bras que fais-tu chaque jour ?
Separated from my embrace, what are you doing each day in my absence?
Je pense à toi, le sais-tu mon amour ?
I constantly think of you; are you aware of this, my beloved?
Evasion, je laisse vagabonder
Escaping reality, I let my mind wander freely
Mes pensées, mes pensées
These are my thoughts, my reflections
Vers toi qui m'a tant donné
Towards you, who has given me so much love
Evasion, dans un rêve où tu reviens
Escaping into a dream where you return to me
Je suis bien, je suis bien
In this vision, I feel at peace, I feel content
Ton corps entier m'appartient
Your entire being is something that I cherish as my own
Que ton coeur ouvre sa porte
May your heart open its door to me
L'amour que j'apporte
The love that I offer you
Chante au ciel d'été
Sings joyfully under the summer skies
Et mes joies seront plus belles
And my happiness will be even more beautiful
Si tu es fidèle, pour l'éternité
If you remain loyal to me, for all eternity
Evasion, je t'imagine en secret
Escaping into my imagination, I envision you in secret
Contre moi, près de moi
Close to me, against me
C'est trop beau pour être vrai
It feels too wonderful to be real
Loin de mes bras, connais-tu des beaux jours ?
Far from my embrace, do you experience beautiful days?
Je pense à toi, où es-tu mon amour ?
I think of you, where are you, my love?
Lyrics © EDITIONS METROPOLITAINES
Written by: Constantin ROSSI, Jacques CHANZOL, Roger DESBOIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind