The chorus, the most famous part of the lyrics, explains the theme of the song: “Tu vuò fa l’americano! Mmericano! Mmericano/ siente a me, chi t’ ho fa fa?/ Tu vuoi vivere alla moda/ ma se bevi whisky and soda/ po’ te sente ‘e disturbà,” followed by, “Tu abballe ‘o rock’en rol/ tu giochi al basebal/ ma ‘e solde pe’ Camel/ chi te li da?./ La borsetta di mammà!” The meaning is obvious: “(You guys) want to do the American,” “drink whisky and soda,” “dance rock ‘n roll,” “play baseball,” but the “money for your Camels still comes from your mom’s bag!” The word “scampanellando” literally means “tinkling” but actually refers to “making noise to draw attention.” As we can see, Neapolitan is very melodic, and we can hear the musicality of such words as “cuppulella” and “scampanianno,” as well as a melodramatic inflection that renders comprehension difficult for non-Italians, although it is also very evocative and picturesque. The lyrics are quite simple, describing young guys in Napoli imitating American styles and poses: “Puorte o cazone cu ‘nu stemma arreto/ ‘na cuppulella cu ‘a visiera alzata./ Passe scampanianno pe’ Tuleto/ came a ‘nu guappo pe’ te fa guarda!” (In standard Italian, “ Porti dei calzone con uno stemma sul retro/ un cappellino con la visiera alzata/ Passi scampanellando per via Toledo come uno sbruffone per farti guardae”). "Since being released, it has brought Neapolitan music (and language) to the attention of Italy." The song is a critique of American culture’s penetration into Italian traditions and customs during the 50s, even though, paradoxically, it is built on the American rhythms of jazz swing! It became a classic and, since being released, has brought Neapolitan music (and language) to the attention of Italy. Here's a video of Carosone and his band performing the song, with English lyrics superimposed by someone who is unaware of the difference between "your" and "you're" (but let's not be picky about that even though it irks me to no end) -Īround 10 years ago, the song's English lyrics were significantly updated by Lou Bega, the German latin/pop star, so that the satire about how Europeans see Americans is much more modern and pointed.“ Tu vuò fa l’americano” is a song written by famous Neapolitan artist Renato Carosone in 1956.
The song is generally considered to be a satire of the Americanization that occurred in the early years after World War II, when southern Italy was still a rural, traditional society. are about an Italian who affects a contemporary American lifestyle, drinking whisky and soda, dancing to rock 'n roll, playing baseball and smoking Camel cigarettes, but who still depends on his parents for money. Written by Nicola Salerno (words) and Renato Carosone (music), it was a huge hit for Carosone and his band. Today's post is all about the wonderful Italian swing/jazz song featured in it, which I just adore! The song is known by various names, typically "Pa Para Americano," "Pa Pa Americano," or "We No Speak Americano."Īccording to Wikipedia, however, its actual name is "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" ("You Want to Be American") and it dates from the mid-1950s. Hey, remember this crazy video from a few years ago?
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