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.
Italiana
Tino Rossi Lyrics
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ITALIANA
ITALIANA
ITALIANA
Si jolie, si tendre dans mes bras
Toi qui étais tout à la fois, l’amour, la chance
Où es-tu donc belle Italienne
Qui fut ma joieITALIANA
ITALIANA
Si tu ne te souviens plus de moi
Moi je ne peux fermer les yeux sans que je pense
A la douceur que j’ai trouvée
Auprès de toi
Dans l’eau de la mer
Tu allais jeter
Ta brune beauté
En riant
Et tes rires clairs
Allaient ricocher
Entre les rochers
Brûlant
ITALIANA
ITALIANA
Tu chantais et tu dansais si bien
Je t’en supplie de nos folies ai souvenance
Aussi loin que soient tes yeux des miens
Quand je reviendrai
Parmi tes palais
Nous retrouverons
Nos beaux jours
Car je reviendrai
Je te le promets
Chercher là-bas
ITALIANA
ITALIANA
Si jolie, si tendre dans mes bras
Toi qui étais tout à la fois l’amour, la chance
Souviens-toi
ITALIANA
De moi.
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Italiana" convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love with an Italian woman. The repeated refrain of "ITALIANA" emphasizes the singer's emotional connection and admiration for this woman. The lyrics evoke a sense of beauty and tenderness, capturing the essence of their relationship.
The singer reminisces about the time when this Italian woman was in his arms, symbolizing a cherished moment of love and happiness. He wonders where she is now, expressing a sense of loss and yearning for her presence. The mention of her being his joy reflects the depth of his feelings for her and the impact she had on his life.
The imagery of the Italian woman by the sea, throwing her dark beauty into the water with laughter, paints a vivid picture of their shared moments of joy and playfulness. The clear laughter echoing between the rocks signifies the carefree and carelessly happy times they shared together. The burning passion in the description of these memories adds a layer of intensity to their past connection.
The singer pleads with the Italian woman to remember their past escapades and embraces, promising to return to her one day. The promise of reuniting in the future and reliving their beautiful days together signifies a hope for reconciliation and a desire to reignite the flame of their love. The repeated calls for her to remember him and their love emphasize the depth of emotion and attachment he still holds for her.
In conclusion, Tino Rossi's song "Italiana" captures a sense of wistfulness, love, and longing for a past romance with an Italian woman. The lyrics convey a mix of nostalgia for their shared moments, hope for a reunion in the future, and a deep emotional connection that still lingers. The singer's yearning for the beauty and tenderness of the Italian woman reflects a timeless sentiment of love and longing that resonates throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
ITALIANA
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the Italian connection and the singer's longing for Italy.
Si jolie, si tendre dans mes bras
So lovely, so tender in my arms, referring to the beauty and affection felt towards the Italian woman.
Toi qui étais tout à la fois, l’amour, la chance
You who were both love and luck to me, highlighting the importance of the Italian woman in the singer's life.
Où es-tu donc belle Italienne
Where are you, beautiful Italian woman, expressing the singer's search for and yearning to reconnect with her.
Qui fut ma joie
Who was my joy, reminiscing about the happiness the Italian woman brought into the singer's life.
Si tu ne te souviens plus de moi
If you no longer remember me, acknowledging the possibility that the Italian woman may have forgotten about the singer.
Moi je ne peux fermer les yeux sans que je pense
I cannot close my eyes without thinking, conveying the constant thoughts and memories of the Italian woman in the singer's mind.
A la douceur que j’ai trouvée
Of the sweetness I found, appreciating the comforting and loving moments shared with the Italian woman.
Auprès de toi
Next to you, indicating the singer's desire to be close to the Italian woman once again.
Dans l’eau de la mer
In the water of the sea, setting the scene of a memory by the ocean shared with the Italian woman.
Tu allais jeter
You used to throw, describing a playful action of the Italian woman.
Ta brune beauté
Your brunette beauty, complimenting the physical appearance of the Italian woman.
En riant
Laughing, recalling the joyful moments and laughter shared with the Italian woman.
Et tes rires clairs
And your clear laughter, highlighting the happiness and carefree nature of the Italian woman.
Allaient ricocher
Used to ricochet, painting a vivid picture of the sound of laughter bouncing off the rocks.
Entre les rochers
Among the rocks, describing the setting of the playful interaction shared with the Italian woman.
Brûlant
Burning, expressing the intensity of emotions felt in the moment with the Italian woman.
Tu chantais et tu dansais si bien
You sang and danced so well, praising the talents and gracefulness of the Italian woman.
Je t’en supplie de nos folies ai souvenance
I beg you to remember our follies, pleading for the Italian woman to recall the shared adventures and frivolous moments.
Aussi loin que soient tes yeux des miens
As far as your eyes are from mine, acknowledging the physical distance between the singer and the Italian woman.
Quand je reviendrai
When I return, expressing the determination of the singer to come back to Italy and reunite with the woman.
Parmi tes palais
Amongst your palaces, conjuring up a grand image of Italy and the opulence it holds.
Nous retrouverons
We will find again, expressing hope for a reunion and the continuation of their relationship.
Nos beaux jours
Our beautiful days, reminiscing about the happy times shared with the Italian woman.
Car je reviendrai
For I will return, reiterating the promise and commitment of the singer to come back to Italy.
Je te le promets
I promise you, emphasizing the sincerity and certainty of the singer's vow to the Italian woman.
Chercher là-bas
To search over there, indicating the singer's eagerness to find the Italian woman again.
Ton Amour
Your love, expressing the significance of the Italian woman's affection and companionship to the singer.
Souviens-toi
Remember, urging the Italian woman to recall the shared memories and feelings between them.
De moi
Of me, concluding the song with a plea for the Italian woman to keep the singer in her thoughts and heart.
Lyrics © BEUSCHER ARPEGE
Written by: RALPH MARIA SIEGEL, Kurt Feltz, Pierre DELANOE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philippe6003
Italiana
Italiana
Si jolie, si tendre dans mes bras
Toi qui étais tout à la fois l'amour, la chance
Où es-tu donc, belle Italienne qui fus ma joie
Italiana
Italiana
Si tu ne te souviens plus de moi
Moi je ne peux fermer les yeux sans que je pense
À la douceur que j'ai trouvée auprès de toi
(Dans l'eau de la mer
Tu avais jeté
Ta brune beauté
En riant)
Et tes rires clairs
Allaient ricocher
Entre les rochers
Brûlants
Italiana
Italiana
Tu chantais et tu dansais si bien
Je t'en supplie, de nos folies aie souvenance
Aussi loin que soient tes yeux des miens
Car je reviendrai
Je te le promets
Chercher là-bas ton amour
Italiana
Italiana
Si jolie, si tendre dans mes bras
Toi qui étais tout à la fois l'amour, la chance
Souviens-toi, Italiana, de moi
O Italiana