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.

Invitation au baïon
Tino Rossi Lyrics

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Venez belles demoiselles
Venez danser le baïon
Écoutez cet air vous appelle
Surtout ne dites pas non
Oui, dansez, profitez de l’aubaine
Car l’amour naît souvent d’un faux pas
Souriez ne soyez pas rebelles
Ne pensez pas toujours à papa

A maman, à tonton, à tata
Ohé ! Que la vie est belle
Venez danser la baïon
Entrez dans la danse
Enivre vos cœurs demoiselles
D’un peu de bonheur de gaîté et d’amour
Oui mais jeunes filles sages
Prenez garde à vos jupons
Les garçons venus du village
Sont trop souvent polissons
Méfiez-vous, ne perdez pas la tête
Les Messieurs sont toujours trop pressés
N’écoutez pas leurs belles promesses
Vous pourriez un jour le regretter
Attention, attention, attention
Dansez, soyez à la page
Gardez bien votre raison
Entrez dans la danse
Enivrez vos cœurs, demoiselles
D’un peu de bonheur, de gaîté et d’amour.
Filles et garçon,
A la tentation

Ne dites pas non
Dansez le baïon

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Invitation au baïon" speak of an invitation to dance the baïon, a lively and energetic dance. The song encourages beautiful young women to join in the dance and not refuse the invitation. It suggests that dancing and enjoying oneself can lead to unexpected romantic encounters. The lyrics advise the women to smile and not be rebellious, to not constantly think about their family, and to seize the opportunity for love that may arise from a misstep. The song paints a picture of a joyful and vibrant atmosphere, urging everyone to appreciate the beauty of life and to join in the baïon dance.

The lyrics also caution the young ladies to be careful and to guard their modesty, as the boys from the village can sometimes be mischievous. They are warned not to let themselves get carried away and to be wary of the fast-talking gentlemen who could make false promises. The song emphasizes the need to maintain reason and not be easily swayed by flattery.

Overall, "Invitation au baïon" is a playful and spirited invitation to dance, filled with the exuberance of youth, and the lyrics contain words of both encouragement and caution.

Invitation au baïonTino Rossi Lyrics

Invitation au baïon
Tino Rossi Lyrics