Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight classic songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we revisit Dean Martin’s 1958 rendition of “Buona Sera,” a charming song in which a young man in Naples promises to buy his sweetheart a wedding ring.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy’s Mediterranean coast, the song follows a young couple enjoying a moonlit evening. Though the night is drawing to a close, Martin’s character reassures his beloved that he will stop by a little jewelry shop the next morning to purchase a ring for her finger.
He croons, “In the morning signorina we’ll go walking / Where the mountains help the moon come in to sight / And by the little jewelry shop we’ll stop and linger / While I buy a wedding ring for your finger / In the meantime let me tell you that I love you / Buona sera signorina kiss me goodnight.”
Written by Peter De Rose and Carl Sigman, “Buona Sera” — Italian for “good evening” — was first popularized by Louis Prima in 1956. Dean Martin, the “King of Cool” and iconic Rat Pack member, recorded his own smooth version two years later for the album This Is Dean Martin, seamlessly blending his Italian-American heritage with Napoli’s charm.
Born Dino Paul Crocetti in 1917 in Steubenville, OH, Martin grew up speaking Italian as his first language and didn’t learn English until starting school. His path to stardom was far from easy: he left school after the 10th grade, worked in steel mills, bootlegged liquor, dealt blackjack, and even boxed as a welterweight. Moving to New York, he performed under the name “Dino Martini” and eventually joined the Ernie McKay Orchestra, launching his legendary career.
Over his lifetime, Martin recorded more than 100 singles, including timeless hits such as “Memories Are Made of This,” “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?” His smooth voice and relaxed charisma made him one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th century, appearing in more than 30 films and numerous television specials.
Martin passed away on Christmas Day, 1995, at age 78. In recognition of his legacy, Ohio’s Route 7 through Steubenville was renamed Dean Martin Boulevard in 1996.
“Buona Sera” remains a playful and romantic snapshot of Martin’s style: easygoing, charming, and always ready to celebrate love — and the sparkle of a wedding ring.
Please check out the audio track of Martin’s cover of “Buona Sera.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Buona Sera”
Music by Peter De Rose and lyrics by Carl Sigman. Performed by Dean Martin.
Buona sera signorina buona sera
It is time to say goodnight to Napoli
Though it’s hard for us to whisper buona sera
With that old moon above the Mediterranean sea
In the morning signorina we’ll go walking
Where the mountains help the moon come in to sight
And by the little jewelry shop we’ll stop and linger
While I buy a wedding ring for your finger
In the meantime let me tell you that I love you
Buona sera signorina kiss me goodnight
Buona sera signorina kiss me goodnight
Buona sera signorina buona sera
It is time to say goodnight to Napoli
Though it’s hard for us to whisper buona sera
With that old moon above the Mediterranean sea
In the morning signorina we’ll go walking
Where the mountains help the moon come in to sight
And by the little jewelry shop we’ll stop and linger
While I buy a wedding ring for your finger
In the meantime let me tell you that I love you
Buona sera signorina kiss me goodnight
Buona sera signorina kiss me goodnight
Credit: Screen capture via YouTube.com / John Bond.