Tu Vuò Fà l'Americano

Renato Carosone

About Tu Vuò Fà l'Americano

"Tu vuò fà l'americano" (pronounced [ˈtu ˌvwo ˈfa llameriˈkɑːnə]; "You Want to Be American") is a Neapolitan language song by Italian singer Renato Carosone. Carosone wrote the song in collaboration with Nicola "Nisa" Salerno in 1956. Combining swing and jazz, it became one of his best-known songs. Commissioned by Ricordi director Rapetti for a radio contest, the music was composed by Carosone in a very short time after reading Nisa's lyrics; he immediately believed the song would become a great success. Carosone's original version of the song was performed by him in the film Totò, Peppino e le fanatiche (directed by Mario Mattoli, 1958). The song was featured in the 1960 Melville Shavelson film It Started in Naples, in which it was sung by Sophia Loren. It was also performed by Rosario Fiorello in the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley. The lyrics are about an Italian who effects 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. 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. According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, "Tu vuò fa l'americano" is the definitive hit single of Carosone's artistic career, as he retired from music in 1960, just four years after releasing the song. more »

Year:: 2010
: 3:27
: 45 Views
Playlists:: #2
Italian

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Puorte 'e cazune cu nu stemma arreto
Na cuppulella cu 'a visiera aizata
Passa scampanianno pe' Tuleto
Comm'a nuguappo, pe' se fa' guarda'

Tu vuo' fa' ll'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t' 'o ffa fa'?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda,
Ma se bevi "whisky and soda"
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rocchenroll
Tu giochi a baisiboll
Ma e solde p' e' Ccamel
Chi te li da
La borsetta di mamma'

Tu vuo' fa' ll'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american

Come te po' capi' chi te vo' bbene
Si tu lle parle miezo americano?
Quanno se fa ll'ammore sott' 'a luna
Comme te vene 'ncapa 'e di' "I love you"?

Tu vuo' fa' ll'americano
Mericano, mericano
Sient'a mme chi t' 'o ffa fa'?
Tu vuoi vivere alla moda
Ma se bevi "whisky and soda"
Po' te siente 'e disturba'
Tu abball' o' rocchenroll
Tu giochi a baisiboll
Ma e solde p' e' Ccamel
Chi te li da
La borsetta di mamma'

Tu vuo' fa' ll'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american

Tu vuo' fa' ll'americano
Mericano, mericano
Ma si' nato in Italy
Sient' a mme, nun ce sta niente 'a fa'
Ok, napulitan
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american
Tu vuo' fa' ll'american

(Whisky and soda e rocchenroll
Whisky and soda e rocchenroll
Whisky and soda e rocchenroll)

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Renato Carosone

Renato Carosone, born Renato Carusone, was an Italian musician. He was a prominent figure of the Italian music scene in the second half of the 20th century. He was also a modern performer of the so-called canzone napoletana, Naples' song tradition. more »

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Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: Nicola Salerno, Renato Carosone

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

10 facts about this song

Artist Background "Renato Carosone" was born as Renato Carusone in Naples, Italy. He was one of the most significant and influential figures in pop music in Italy during the 20th century and specialized in Neapolitan songs.
Song Release "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" was released in 1956 and is considered one of Carosone's biggest hits. It was a part of his repertoire during the golden age of canzone Napoletana, the traditional Neapolitan song.
Song Language Despite its title and a few phrases in English, "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" is primarily in Neapolitan, a variety of the Italian language spoken in the Naples region.
Song Meaning The song provides a satirical view of the increasing Americanization in Italy following World War II. It portrays a young man who imitates the American lifestyle but is still dependent on his parents for money.
Record Label The song was released under the record label Pathé, a French company with an international scope, which helped the song reach audiences outside of Italy.
Song Composition Carosone wrote "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" with lyricist Nicola Salerno, who wrote under the pseudonym Nisa. The two collaborated on many of Carosone's biggest hits.
Cultural Impact "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" remained popular over the years and has been covered by several artists, including The Brian Setzer Orchestra and Puppini Sisters.
Film Appearances The song was brought to international attention when it featured in the 1960 film ‘It Started in Naples’. More recently it has appeared in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' and 'The American', keeping its cultural relevance across decades.
Song Remixes The song has also been incorporated into other music productions, most notably in 2010 when it was remixed by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP to create a popular dance track, "We No Speak Americano". This version topped the charts in over 20 countries.
Live Performances In the late 1950s, Carosone performed "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" with his band Carosone and His Sextet at the iconic venue Carnegie Hall in New York City – a major achievement for an Italian artist at that time.

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"Tu Vuò Fà l'Americano Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23816791/Renato+Carosone/Tu+Vu%C3%B2+F%C3%A0+l%27Americano>.

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