Lyr Req: Cara Mia

Subject: Cara Me Oh My
From: Cara
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 11:55 AM

I should have called this "Narcissistic Song Requests".

My mother just told me that a song by this title exists. I have never heard it and know nothing about it. If someone could direct me to the lyrics or the band/album, I'd be much obliged.

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 12:10 PM

One recording of the song was a big hit for Frankie Valli in the 60s. Think it was titled "Cara Mia".

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From: Dale Rose
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 12:42 PM

CD Now has a sound clip of Cara Mia by Jay and the Americans (other versions there, too) but it is definitely nothing like the version I remember. I remember an almost classical version on a blue label London 45, but the name of the singer escapes me completely. Naturally, I could not find the 45 either.

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 12:47 PM

Whoops, memory failure alert!! Twas indeed Jay and not Frankie. (although they both had great rock tenors)

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From: lesblank
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 01:33 PM

Dale:

The elusive 45 version you alluded to was done in grand style by Caterina Valente, a multi-lingual sweetheart who was popular in the 50's (??). Remember Granada, The Breeze and I and so many more goodies.

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From: Dale Rose
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 02:06 PM

Whitfield, David "Cara mia/How, When Or Where" LONDON 45-1486

Les, I think I remember that one too, but the one listed above is the one I remember best. It was recorded with Mantovani's Orchestra. It was a #10 hit in 1954.

I could not find it listed by Whitfield anywhere, except in auctions, etc. It is listed by Mantovani on several recordings at the various online music stores, but the only one I could listen to seemed to be an instrumental only version. Hey, even Slim Whitman has a recording out there!

Subject: Lyr Add: CARA MIA (Trapani/Lange)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 07:09 PM

Drum roll, please.....
And here, compliments of Lyrics World, are the lyrics:

CARA MIA
Jay & The Americans
- written by Tulio Trapani / Lee Lange
- lyrics as recorded by Jay & The Americans

Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine


I don't think I like this song, but it's one of those that sticks in your head and goes round and round. I know most of the lyrics by heart, whether I like it or not. Dick, don't even THINK of putting this one in the database.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Cara Me Oh My
From:
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 07:36 PM

Actually if you take out the Cara Mia Mine (4x) from the verdamte rock version CARA MIA is a beautiful song, especially by David Whitfield. It was a big, big hit in mind '50s.--John (not jon)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 04:40 PM

Frankie Valli DID SING Cara Mia... but not the Franki Vallie you know from the Four Seasons.   I had that blue 45 too. It was way old From the late 40's or early 50's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:48 PM

"It was way old From the late 40's or early 50's."

I'm from the late 40's and that remark really pisses me off. No offense.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 06:26 PM

David Whitfield was headlining at either the Opera house , or The Winter Gardens in Blackpool , (Same stage door for both) Summer season 1954 . He had a Two Tone (Blue/white) Buick with the the opening bars of Cara Mia on the Horn! He was VERY popular with the ladies at the time !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 12:16 PM

I'm always on the hunt for good tunes, so I decided to check out 'Cara Mia.'

Even though it's implied here that Caterina Valenta recorded a different 'Cara Mia' from Jay and the Americans and from David Whitfield, I can't find any record of that song by her.

However, you can go to Wikifonia and get the lyrics and the music for the CM by Mantovani. It's a demanding song, but it would be interesting to hear how it sounds when handled with less emotion. David and Jay do the same song.

try this:

http://www.wikifonia.org/node/5235

But what tickles me is that there are many websites devoted to a composition called Cara Mia which appeared at the end of a computer game. Apparently it was tooted out by an array of musical turrets, yet it sounds like a light-hearted operatic air. Guys, the kids have been allowed to hear a melody, and they are excited about it!

There's hope for popular music yet.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 01:05 PM

I remember David Whitfield's recording of Cara Mia back in the early to mid fifties. Great voice, tenor, operatic in quality. It stayed on top of the Hit Parade for several weeks.

As a result, everybody else had to take a crack at it, resulting in some pretty gawdawful renditions. Mario Lanza, of course, had to have a go. Overdramatizing and swooping from note to note like a trapeze artist, it was next to unlistenable and sank like a rock in the ratings. The only other singer who was able to do it justice was Dennis Day, the regular singer on the Jack Benny Show. He was a genuine Irish tenor.

But the best all-around performance was David Whitfield's

Don Firth

P. S. As to many of the subsequent renditions, think of Bob Dylan singing Nessun Dorma.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 11:22 AM

"Bob Dylan singing Nessun Dorma."

Don, you make my blood run cold.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 12:52 PM

Leenia, you made me remember this, which I'd heard about but never heard.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cara Mia
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 01:08 PM

Unfortunately, I remember this from first time around