“Tu vuò fa l’americano” was written by Neapolitan artist Renato Carosone in 1956. It became a classic and, since being released, has brought Neapolitan music to the attention of Italy. It 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!
“Tu vuò fa l’americano” is a song written by famous Neapolitan artist Renato Carosone in 1956. It became a classic and, since being released, 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!
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”). 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 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!”
Culturally, as can be seen in Totò’s movies or in De Filippo’s theater, “Neapolitanity” is quite proud and has well-defined codes. Maybe this accounts for this song’s hostility towards foreign influences supposedly contaminating Neapolitan culture. At the end, Carosone asks, “Comme te po’ capi chi te vò bene/ si tu le parle ‘mmiezzo Americano?/ Quando se fa l’ammore sotto ‘a luna/ come te vene ‘capa e di: ‘I love you!?’” (How can you understand who loves you/ if you speak half-American?/ And when you make love under the moon/ how can you say “I love you!”). He seems to argue that Americanization brings with it alienation and the loss of communication, past customs, and traditions. In the following years, this song reached great popularity outside Italy, bringing a Neapolitan voice to the world.
