About the song
“That’s Amore,” a quintessential song from 1953, stands as a vibrant testament to the charm and charisma of Dean Martin. Composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Jack Brooks, this iconic tune has become synonymous with Martin’s smooth and laid-back style, epitomizing the romance and whimsy of mid-20th century music.
The song was first introduced to audiences in the 1953 Martin and Lewis comedy film *The Caddy*, where it was performed by Dean Martin and later joined by his comedic partner Jerry Lewis. Lewis, keen to give Martin a hit, commissioned Warren and Brooks to write songs specifically for Martin to showcase in the film. In a move that highlights his dedication to his friend’s success, Lewis secretly paid the songwriters $30,000 in hopes that one of their compositions would become a hit. The effort proved fruitful, as “That’s Amore” not only charmed audiences but also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, though it ultimately lost to “Secret Love” from *Calamity Jane*.
The song’s irresistible melody and playful lyrics—”When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore”—capture a whimsical view of love, with “amore” being the Italian word for “love.” The track was recorded on August 13, 1953, at Capitol Records’ studios in Hollywood, with Dick Stabile conducting the orchestra. Released as a single by Capitol Records, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, solidifying its place in pop culture.
“That’s Amore” has been featured in various films and media over the decades, including *Rear Window* (1954), *Moonstruck* (1987), and *Stuart Little* (1999), among others. Its catchy tune and nostalgic charm have made it a favorite in diverse contexts, even finding a place in video games such as *Mario Teaches Typing 2*.
The song’s enduring legacy is reflected in its use as the title for a 2001 video retrospective of Dean Martin’s career and in his son Ricci Martin’s 2002 biography, *That’s Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin*. Music critic Joe Queenan has described “That’s Amore” as a delightful parody of Neapolitan music, contributing to the post-war rehabilitation of Italy’s image as a land of romance and magic, after the somber years of Mussolini’s fascist regime.
In essence, “That’s Amore” remains a quintessential piece of 1950s American music, capturing the spirit of the era and the timeless allure of Dean Martin’s style.
Video
Lyrics
(In Napoli where love is king
When boy meets girl here’s what they say)
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That’s amore
When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine
That’s amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you’ll sing “Vita bella”
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella
When the stars make you drool just like a pasta e fasul
That’s amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You’re in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you’re not dreaming signore
Scusami, but you see, back in old Napoli
That’s amore
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore
That’s amore,
When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amore
That’s amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you’ll sing “Vita bella” (Vita bel-, vita bella)
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella
Lucky fella
When the stars make you drool just like a pasta e fasul, that’s amore
That’s amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You’re in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you’re not dreaming signore
Scusami, but you see, back in old Napoli
That’s amore
Amore, that’s amore