From the late 1950s throughout the '60s decade, the American public has had a "soft spot" for this genre, even if the song's entirely in another language. Perhaps it was the beat ("You can dance to it!") or the particular way the singer or group presented the song.
Either way, you may want to break out the Italian bread, have a hunk of French cheese (or a plate of spaghetti!), along with some Japanese saki or a lager of German beer.
This may have all started with "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", the no. 1 1958 smash (for five weeks!) by Domenico Modugno. This is the first foreign language single to hit no. 1 in the rock era, and according to Billboard, was the biggest hit of '58. (Accounts may vary on this; but "At The Hop" by Danny and The Juniors listed as '58's biggest.
The lyrics are Italian, of course, but do you know what they mean? The title translates to "The Blue Sky, Painted In Blue." "Volare" means to fly. This song is about a man's dream of flying through the air with his hands painted blue.
Dean Martin also had a top 40 hit with this (no. 12, also in 1958 and given the subtitle "Volare" ) and Al Martino, who "flew" the song to no. 33 in 1975 (Just called "Volare" with English lyrics written by Michael Parrish.)
But Bobby Rydell had the breezy, delightful, snap-your-fingers-to, and in my opinion, the best version (His version was just called "Volare" as well, also in English, a no. 4 smash in 1960. Didn't Rydell also have some of the best backup singers?
"Sailor(Your Home Is The Sea)" was a no. 5 smash for German singer Lolita (Ditta).
Emilio Pericoli had a no. 6 smash in 1962 with "Al Di La" from the film "Rome Adventure". Here are the English words to this: Al di la means you are far above me, very far Al di la, as distant as the lovely evening star Where you walk flowers bloom When you smile all the gloom turns to sunshine And my heart opens wide When you're gone it fades inside and seems to have died. Al di la, I wondered as I drifted where you were Al di la, the fog around me lifted, there you were In the kiss that I gave was the love I had saved for a lifetime Then I knew all of you was completely mine. Isn't this so goshdarn romantic?!
