Carosone himself wrote that his songs "were deeply based on the American dream, playing jazz and its derivatives as the symbol of rich and prosperous America, but keeping the style of the Neapolitan song, even using parodies of its customs". The song was often viewed as a satire of the Americanization process during the first years after World War II, in a still traditional rural society. The ironic lyrics speaks of an Italian young man who wants to imitate the American lifestyle of the time, drinking whiskey and soda, dancing rock and roll, playing baseball and smoking Camel cigarettes, but remains dependent on his parents for economic reasons. It was also performed by Rosario Fiorello in the 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Celtic, U.K.Carosone performed on the piano a swing and jazz mix, creating a boogie woogie in one quarter of an hour after reading the lyrics, and was immediately sure that the song would be a great success as a matter of fact, Tu vuò fa' l'Americano achieved international success, becoming also Carosone's most popular song.Ī version of the song was performed by Carosone himself and his band, including Gegè Di Giacomo at the drums, in the movie "Totò, Peppino e le fanatiche" (directed by Mario Mattoli, 1958), and in 1960 was featured in Melville Shavelson's "It Started in Naples", in the interpretation of Sofia Loren under the eyes of Clark Gable.Jazz/Blues Variants, Bossa, Choro, Klezmer.Old-Time, Roots, Early Country, Cajun, Tex-Mex.Rock, Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Rockabilly.Papa L Americano Lyrics Translation We No Speak Americano Tu Vuo Fa L. Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country, Gospel Variants We No Speak Americano Translated To English Renato Carosone So You Want To Be.Technique, Theory, Playing Tips and Tricks.Jams, Workshops, Camps, Places To Meet Others.Looking for Information About Mandolins.Quick Navigation Videos, Pictures & Sound Files Top Farace's great relay of the lyrics, but I think I'll wait around a bit and see if someone who really knows what they're talking about weighs in first. I speak Italian fairly well, but I'm from Texas so my English is suspect (as of course is my understanding of Neapolitan dialect.)īut "Tu Vuo Fa l'Americano" is something more on the order of "you want to be an American" or more precisely "You want to make like an American" which I think fits the nature of the lyrics much better. Our friend Sheri Mignano might have un molto piu forte term than "neutered". You're right, Michele, that's not really a "translation" but a whole set of lyrics in English, which unfortunately neutralized (or neutered) a broad array of great Italian songs from the 20th C from "Funiculi" to "Volare". Someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.Ĭool song nonetheless. My Italian is not that great (especially in certain dialects), but I don't think the English translation above is very accurate. I can't find the translation I like right now (and this iPad is having fits at the moment nothing but trouble), but my favorite part is basically "You dance rock and roll, you play baseball, but the money for your Camels, who gives it to you? Your mama's purse." The whole song is ridiculing someone who is acting like they want to be American, but is Napoletano. Songwriters: Nicola Salerno / Renato Carosone The original Italian (napoletan dialect):Ĭomme te vene 'ncapa 'e di' "I love you"? The translation given is faulty there is much more going on here. The song is "Tu Vuo Fa l'Americano," covered innumerable times, but this is the original by Renato Carosone.
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