Lou Monte

Lou Monte (born Louis Scaglione; April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989) was an Italian American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Victor and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s, most famously "Lazy Mary" and the 1962/63 million-selling US single "Pepino the Italian Mouse", plus the seasonal track "Dominick the Donkey". He also recorded on Roulette Records, Jubilee Records, Regalia Records, Musicor Records, Laurie Records, and AFE Records.

Early life Monte was born on April 2, 1917, in Manhattan to Italian immigrant parents, but his mother died when he was only two. He was raised in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and he began performing at the age of fourteen. But success came slowly: by his own account, although he sang and played guitar in a number of clubs, he did not begin to gain a large following for about fifteen years.

Early career By the early 1940s, he was performing in New York City, and he was also a headliner at several New Jersey clubs. But when World War II broke out, Monte had to put his career on hold and enlist in the Army. When he was discharged, he resumed playing in clubs, and got a break when he was hired by WAAT AM 970 in Newark, New Jersey, in 1948 to do his own show. This offered Monte a chance to refine his act and it helped him to gain a much larger audience. The station rewarded him by convincing its sister TV outlet, WATV/13, to give him some airtime.

Beginning with this exposure, Monte made a couple of recordings on local labels. Joe Carlton was an A&R for RCA Victor Records and heard him performing in a spaghetti joint south of Secaucus. He enjoyed his singing style and the way he accompanied himself on the guitar. He offered him a contract with RCA Victor which lasted seven years. Joe Carlton would go on to start Carlton Records.

Success Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball". In 1962, Monte released his first million-seller song, "Pepino the Italian Mouse", which was awarded a gold disc. Co-written by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell and sung alternately in English and a pastiche of Calabrese, "Pepino the Italian Mouse" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's home and who pesters him by eating his cheese, drinking his wine and frightening his girlfriend. Arranged by Joe Reisman, who was Monte's longtime collaborator, the single is credited to Don Costa Productions. "Pepino" peaked at number five on Billboards Hot 100 in mid-January and fared even better in certain markets, including Monte's native New York City, where the single spent two weeks at number one on WABC at the end of December.

The "flip side" of the single featured another Italian-American hybrid novelty song called "What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware?)." The song presumes that George Washington was cold, tired, hungry and without a change of underwear on his famous trip. At one point in the song, "Washington" complains that the pizzas his wife Martha baked were as "cold as ice". His solution? "Sell them to the Indians for only half the price." He then asks his boatsmen to row faster because "tonight I'm posing for my picture on the dollar bill."

Monte's other famous novelty records include "Dominick the Donkey", a Christmas staple in many Italian-American households and "Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)", the sequel to "Pepino" followed by "Paulucci, the Italian Parrot" and "Paul Revere's Horse (Ba-Cha-Ca-Loop)". "Lazy Mary", a remake of the Italian song "Luna Mezzo Mare", tells the tale of a conversation between a young woman who wishes to be married, and her mother. The somewhat risque song mixes English and Italian verses. The two use double entendre to compare the occupations with the sexual appetites of the various suitors. It peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart. "Lazy Mary" is routinely played during the seventh inning stretch at New York Mets games (both at Shea Stadium and now at Citi Field), immediately after "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".

"Dominick the Donkey" has enjoyed more recent success in the UK, thanks to its extensive use on The Chris Moyles Show in reference to Newsbeat newsreader and regular show contributor Dominic Byrne during the Christmas season. During the week leading up to Christmas of 2011, the show suggested or hinted that users download the song from iTunes and Amazon. This led to the song being the number two song on iTunes between December 19–25, 2011. "Dominick the Donkey" reached number 3 in the midweek charts on 21 December 2011, before being confirmed at number 3 in the UK Official Christmas Chart for 2011, only beaten by the X-Factor winners (Little Mix) and a charity record by the Military Wives. Dominic the Donkey did however outsell several rival chart campaigns most notably campaigns supporting Nirvana's rerelease of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", which made number 11, and unsigned YouTube blogger Alex Day, who reached number 4.

A portion of Monte's song "Skinny Lena" has notably been sampled into the They Might Be Giants track "Number Three."

Monte made TV appearances on syndicated programming such as The Mike Douglas Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and the Merv Griffin Show.

Monte resided in Totowa, New Jersey, where his fan club was based. He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr., leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.

Monte's 1971 recording "I Have An Angel In Heaven" was highly popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s satellite radio version of the "Music Of Your Life."

Monte is interred in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. After his death, his surviving son Ray continued to sing his songs in concert for some time. His son is a professional drummer who plays for many bands.

Discography

Singles 1953 − Jealous of You / Angelina 1953 − A Baby Cried / One Moment More 1954 − Darktown Strutters Ball / I Know How You Feel 1954 − Somewhere There Is Someone / Won't You Forgive Me 1954 − Chain Reaction / Vera's Veranda 1954 − Italian Huckle−Buck / Just Like Before 1954 − When I Hold You In My Arms / In My Dreams 1954 − Cats Whiskers / Roulette 1955 − How Important Can It Be / Truly Yours 1955 − The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat 1955 − Bella Notte / With You Beside Me 1955 − Yaller Yaller Gold / King Of The River 1955 − Tombolee Tombola / Rosina 1955 − Santo Natale / Italian Jingle Bells 1955–60 − The Long Way / Repeat These Words After Me 1956 − Nina, The Queen of the Teeners / Pony Tail 1956 − If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked A Cake / Ask Your Heart 1956 − Elvis Presley For President / If I Was A Millionaire 1956 − Roman Guitar / Some Cloud Above 1957 − Calypso Italiano / Someone Else Is Taking You Home 1957 − Musica Bella / The Wife 1957 − Ha! Ha! Ha! / Round and Round My Heart 1958 − Lazy Mary / Angelique 1958 − Eh Marie, Eh Marie / Sheik of Araby 1958 − Marianna / Strada 'Nfosa 1958 − Skinny Lena / Where Do You Work Marie 1959 − Pizza boy−U.S.A. / The Italian Cowboy Song 1959 − The Angel in The Fountain / Solo Per Te 1959 − Pistol Packin` Mama / Have Another 1959 − All Because it's Christmas / Santa Nicola 1960 − Remember This Gumba / Guarda Che Luna 1960 − Darktown Strutters’ Ball / Half A Love 1960 − Bim Bam Bu / Oh, Oh, Rosie 1960 − The Huckle−Buck / Always You 1960 − Dominick The Italian Christmas Donkey / Christmas at Our House 1960−61 − The Three Italian Bears / Come Prima* 1961 − A Good Man is Hard to Find / Sixteen Tons 1961 − Oh! My Pa−Pa, O Mio Papa / Tici Ti Tici To Tici Ta 1961 − The Sheriff Of Sicily / Katareena 1962 − Pepino The Italian Mouse / What Did Washington Say (When he Crossed The Delaware) 1962 − Twist Italiano / Oh Tessie 1962 − Please Mr. Columbus (Turn the Ship Around) / Addio, Addio 1963 − Down Little Doggie / La Luna Si Cuole Sposare 1963 − Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy−Cat) / I Like You, You Like Me, Eh Paisan 1963 − Bossa Nova Italiano / Limbo Italiano 1963 − Paulucci / You're So Smart, You're So Smart, Eh Papa 1963 − Who Stole My Provolone / Hootennany Italian Style 1964 − A Baby Cried / Rooster And The Hen 1964 − Hello Dolly / Jungle Louie 1964 − Too Fat Polka / You're So Bella Isabella 1964 − I Want To Hold Your Hand (Italian Style) / My Paisans Across The Way 1965 − Six O'Clock Supper / Mama Get The Hammer 1965 − Oh Lonesome Me / Paul Revere's Horse 1965 − I Know How You Feel / Mixed Up Bull From Palermo 1965 − No, No Don't Cry, My Love / Don't Wish Your Heartbreak On Me 1966 − Cheech the Cat / Makin' Whoopee 1966 − Seventeen / Oh How I Miss You Tonight 1967 − There'll Be Some Changes Made / When You Get What You Want 1967 − Digga Digga Baby / A Girl, A Girl 1967 − I Don't Play With Matches Anymore / All For The Kids* 1968 − My Wife, The Dancer / Leaky Gondola 1969 − Goombar Custer's Last Stand / Tattooed Susie 1972 − I Really Don't Want To Know / I Have An Angel In Heaven 1972 − She's Got To Be A Saint / 1976 − Paul Revere's Horse / Jerusalem, Jerusalem 1977 − Crabs Walk Sideways / Nicolina 1981 − Shadda Up You Face / Lazy Mary

(*)Promotion release to radio stations only.

EPsLou Monte Sings for You (196x) RCA Victor EPA-4177 Lazy Mary Don't Say Forever Mama Just Say I Love HerLazy Mary (196x) RCA Victor EPA-5105 Darktown Strutters Ball Lazy Mary Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie! Italian Huckle BuckLou Monte Darktown Strutters BallRCA Victor EPA-568 A Baby Cried One Moment Please Darktown Strutters Ball Won't You Forgive MePepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1961) Reprise # R-6058 EP Pepino the Italian Mouse Twist Italiano What did Washington Say Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around) A Good Man is Hard to Find Mala Femmena Show Me the Way to Go Home

AlbumsLou Monte Sings for You (1957) RCA Victor LPM 1651 Lazy Mary (Luna Mezza Mare) Don't Say Forever (O sole mio) Just Say I Love Her When I Hold You In My Arms I Have But One Heart Darktown Strutters Ball (Italian Style) Mama (Mamma) Tango Of Roses (Tango del Rosa) Now Is The Time (Torna a Surriento) Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana) Non Dimenticar (Don't Forget) Italian Huckle-Buck (The Huckle Buck)Here's Lou Monte (1958) RCA CAMDEN Cal-455 Tombolee Tombola Bella Notte Rosina! (The Menu Song) Angelina I've Got A Crush On You Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) Fascinating Rhythm Mine Jealous of You (Tango della Gelosia) A Baby CriedLou Monte Sings Songs for Pizza Lovers (1958) RCA Victor LPM-1877 The Sheik Of Araby (Italian Style) Jealous of You (Tango della Gelosia) Bony Lena Calypso Italiano If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake (Italian Style) Ha! Ha! Ha! (Cha lla La!) Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie! The Wife (La Mogliera) Musica Bella (The Beautiful Music Of Love) Angelique Round And Round My Heart Italian Jingle BellsItalian House Party (1959) RCA Victor LPM 1976 Hey Gumbaree (Bibadee Bobadee Bu) Tell Me You're Mine Where Do You Work Marie Senza Mama E Nnammurata! Solo Perte (Only for You) Pizza Boy USA The Italian Cowboy Song The Angel In The Fountain Skinny Lena Strada 'Nfosa Marianna Bella DonnaItaliano USA (1960) Roulette R-25126 / SR-25126 The Huckle-Buck (Italian Style) Always You Stella D' Amore (Star Of Love) Rag Mop Half A Love Bim Bam Bu (Fruit Store Man) Music Goes 'Round And Round Tango Della Gelosia Innamorata (Sweetheart) from the Paramount film "Artists And Models"* (The New) Darktown Strutters' Ball (Italian Style) Dawn Of Love (L'Edera) Lazy River (Italian Style)Lou Monte Sings the Great Italian American Hits (1961) Reprise R-6005 / R9-6005 That's Amore Sixteen Tons Sorrento Volare Abbracciami I'm Walkin' A Good Man Is Hard To Find Chitarra Romana (Roman Guitars) O Sole Mio Luna Luna Luna Lu Via Veneto Comm'e Bella A Stagione (When I Hold You In My Arms)Lou Monte Live!!! In Person (1962) Reprise R-6014 / R9-6014 Just Say I Love Her Darktown Strutters Ball Roman Guitars (Chitarra Romana) Sheik Of Napoli (Sheik of Napoli) Lazy Mary Mama Eh Marie, Eh Marie Mala Femina Self - Portrait of Lou Monte at Home 16 Tons When I Lost You Skinny Lena SorrentoPepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1962) Reprise R-6058 LP (No. 9 US) Pepino, the Italian Mouse Calypso Italiano Oh Tessie Tici Ti-Tica To-Tici Ta Show Me the Way to Go Home What did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware) Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around) A Good Man is Hard to Find Eh Marie, Eh Marie Sixteen Tons Mala Femmena Twist ItalianoSpotlight on Lou Monte & Botti-Endor Quartet (1962) SDLP-149 Stereo Spectrum Records / Design Records Oh Mari, O' Sole Mio, Oh Mari Tell You What I'm Gonna Do Oh Baby Kiss Me Yesterday's Memories Pullechinella Americano You're Welcome Ciao Capri If I Could Know Funiculi Funicula, Marenariello, Funiculi FuniculaMore Italian Fun Songs From Lou Monte & The Gang (1963) Reprise R-6099 / R9-6099 Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat) La Luna Si Vuole Sposare Pepino's Cha Cha Tell Me That You Love Me (Parlami d'amore Mariù) I Like You You Like Me Eh Paisan Paulucci (The Italian Parrot) Bossa Nova Italiano You're So Smart, You're So Smart, Eh Papa Arrivederci, Roma Tijuana Italiano Oh! My Pa-Pa O Mio Papa Limbo ItalianoLou Monte's Golden Hits (1964) Reprise R-6118 / RS-6118 Lazy Mary (Luna Mezzo Mare) (LIVE) Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana) Pepino The Italian Mouse Mama (LIVE) Darktown Strutters Ball (LIVE) Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around) The Shiek of Araby (LIVE) When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione) Eh Marie, Eh Marie (LIVE) Pepino's Friend Pasqual Mala Femmena (LIVE) What Did Washington SayThe Mixed-Up Bull from Palermo (1965) Reprise R/RS-6155 The Mixed Up Bull From Palermo Think It Over My Paisan's Across The Way Hootennany Italian Style I Know How You Feel Skinny Lena Hello Dolly (Italian Style) You're So Bella, Isabella Jungle Louie (The Italian Tarzan) Too Fat Polka (Italian Style) Who Stole My Provolone Down Little DoggieThe Best of Lou Monte (1966) RCA Victor LPM 3672 / LSP 3672 The Darktown Strutters Ball Italian Huckle Buck Roman Guitars Lazy Mary Eh Marie, Eh Marie The Shiek of Araby Just Say I Love Her Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu) When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione) Skinny Lena Calypso ItalianoLou Monte Sings Good Time Songs (1967) RCA Victor LPM-3705 /LSP-3705 Oh How I Miss You Tonight By The Light of The Silvery Moon The Gang That Sang Heart Of My Heart Wedding Bells Are Breaking up That Old Gang Of Mine I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Let The Rest Of The World Go By When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry Maybe Are You Lonesome Tonight That Old Gang Of Mine Who's Sorry NowLou Monte, Fun Italian Style (1975) Tele House CD-2046 (2-LP set) Disc One Pepino the Italian Mouse Eh Marie, Eh Marie Sixteen Tons Hello Dolly Too Fat Polka Jungle Louie Lazy Mary The Sheik of Napoli My Paisans Across The Way Bossa Nova Italiano What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware) Pepino's Cha Cha Cha That's Amore

Disc Two Darktown Strutters Ball Calypso Italiano Paulucci (The Italian Parrot) Twist Italiano Hootenanny Italian Style Tijuana Italiano A Good Man is Hard To Find Skinny Lena I'm Walking Think it Over Oh TessieTake Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around) Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)Lou Monte Discovers America (1976) Tele House CDS-1 Paul Revere's Horse What Did Washington Say Please Mr. Columbus Skinny Lena Nicolena Heart of My Heart By the Light of the Silvery Moon Who's Sorry Now That Old Gang of Mine Oh How I Miss You Tonight Maybe Let the Rest of the World Go ByLou Monte's Greatest Hits (1977) Laurie Records LES-4005 Peppino, Jealous of You The Sheik of Napoli Paul Revere's Horse Mama Lazy Mary Skinny Lena Jerusalem, Jerusalem Nicolena Crabs Walk Sideways In My Own Little Way I Pray Darktown Strutter's BallShaddap You Face (1981) AFE Records AFE-7500 Shaddap You Face Skinny Lena Babalucci Mama Pepino the Italian Mouse Darktown Strutters Ball Lazy Mary Nicolina Jealous of You The Sheik of ArabyPepino Meets Babalucci (198?) LSFD Records Babalucci Shaddap You Face Pepino the Italian Mouse Nicolina Skinny Lena Lazy Mary Angel in Heaven She's Got to Be a Saint Mama Mala Femina Jealous of You Bella Notta

CDsHere's Lou Monte (CD) (1997) BMG/Special Music # CDA1-0455 (RCA Victor Re-release of the album by the same name)The Very Best Of Lou Monte (1997) Taragon Records BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release) TARCD-1030 DRC1-1428Lou Monte Sings Songs for Pizza Lovers/Lou Monte Sings for You (1999) Collectable Records Corp. BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release) COL-CD-2745 DRC1 2333 Songs from(The Album "Songs For Pizza Lovers" was originally released in 1958 as RCA 1877)

(The Album " Lou Monte Sings for You" was originally released in 1958 as RCA 1651)

(Bonus Tracks originally released in 1958 as selections from the Album RCA 1976-"Italian House Party".)Lou Monte The Best Of RCA VICTOR Recordings (2003) Taragon Records BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release) TARCD-1101 DRC23075Lou Monte's Golden Hits (2004) Collectables COL-CD-6156 (Re-release of the album by the same name) (Reprise Re-release of the album by the same nameThe Mixed Up Bull From Palermo And Other Italian Fun Songs (2004) Release Collectable COL 6716 (Reprise Re-release of the album by the same name.)Lou Monte Sings for Your...Again (2002) Ronray Records*

Pepino the Italian Mouse She's Got To Be A Saint Nicolina I Have An Angel In Heaven Lazy Mary An Old Fashioned Girl Cathedral Town Skinny Lena I Really Don't Want To Know Fascinating Rhythm I've Got A Crush On You Sheik Of Araby The Darktown Strutters BallLou Monte's Greatest Hits Part 2'' (2007) Ronray Records*

Shaddap You Face Lazy Mary The Sheik of Napoli Darktown Strutters Ball Jerusalem, Jerusalem Babalucci Mrs. Brown's Donkey (never before released) Darktown Disco The Sheik Disco In My Own Little Way Plus 6 more tracks of outtakes. Monte's two surviving sons produced these two CDs

Recording label history RCA Victor 1953-1960 Jubilee Records 1955-1960? Roulette Records 1960-1961 Reprise Records 1961-1965 RCA Victor 1965-1967 Musicor Records 1968 Regalia Records 1969 GWP Records 1971 Jamie Records 1972 Laurie Records 1976-1977 AFE Records 1981

Special recordingsSoundtracksTwo musical soundtrack albums were made with various recording artist under "Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre Presents".

Finian's Rainbow Reprise Records - FS 2015 - STEREO Overture THE HI-LOS - This Time of Year ROSEMARY CLOONEY- How Are Things in Glocca Morra? DEAN MARTIN & THE HI-LOS - If This Isn't Love ROSEMARY CLOONEY - Look to the Rainbow BING CROSBY & DEBBIE REYNOLDS - Something Sort of Grandish FRANK SINATRA - Old Devil Moon SAMMY DAVIS JR - Necessity FRANK SINATRA - When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love LOU MONTE & THE MARY KAYE TRIO - When The Idle Poor Become The Idle Rich THE McGUIRE SISTERS - The Begat CLARK DENNIS - How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (Reprise) SAMMY DAVIS JR - The Great Come-And-Get-It Day

Kiss Me, Kate "Where Is The Life That Late I Led?"Radio Station Program RecordingsThe Office of Civil Defense and Mobilization recorded a series of record albums entitle "Stars for Defense" 1958–1967.Lou Monte - Speaks side B''' (Tony Perkins Speaks side A) RCA VICTOR (radio station copy only). This record was used for commercial breaks with the singer informing the public of the upcoming "News", "Weather", "Time", etc.

Date Song Label 1953 Jealous of You / Angelina RCA 1953 A Baby Cried / One Moment More RCA 1954 Darktown Strutters Ball / I Know How You Feel RCA 1954 Somewhere There Is Someone / Won't You Forgive Me RCA 1954 Chain Reaction / Vera's Veranda RCA 1954 Italian Huckle-Buck / Just Like Before RCA 1954 When I Hold You In My Arms / In My Dreams RCA 1954 Cats Whiskers / Roulette RCA 1955 How Important Can It Be / Truly Yours RCA 1955 The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat RCA 1955 Bella Notte / With You Beside Me RCA 1955 Yaller Yaller Gold / King Of The River RCA 1955 Tombolee Tombola / Rosina RCA 1956 Nina, The Queen of the Teeners / Pony Tail RCA 1956 If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked A Cake / Ask Your Heart RCA 1956 Elvis Presley For President / If I Was A Millionaire RCA 1957 Calypso Italiano / Someone Else Is Taking You Home RCA 1957 Musica Bella / The Wife RCA 1957 Ha! Ha! Ha! / Round and Round My Heart RCA 1958 Lazy Mary / Angelique RCA 1958 Eh Marie, Eh Marie / Sheik of Araby RCA 1958 Marianna / Strada 'Nfosa RCA 1958 Skinny Lena / Where Do You Work Marie RCA 1959 Pizza boy-U.S.A. / The Italian Cowboy Song RCA 1959 The Angel in The Fountain / Solo Per Te RCA 1959 Pistol Packin` Mama / Have Another RCA 1959 All Because it's Christmas / Santa Nicola RCA 1960 The Huckle-Buck / Always You ROULETTE 1960 Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey / Christmas at Our House ROULETTE 1960 The Three Italian Bears / Come Prima (Promo Only) ROULETTE 1961 A Good Man is Hard to Find / Sixteen Tons REPRISE