When the Moon Hits Your Eye

In 1953, Dean Martin had a hit with “That’s Amore,” which first appeared on the soundtrack fo the Matin and Lewis comedy, The Caddy. It is a song that is synonymous with Dean Martin and will always be linked to him. It is a tongue-in-cheek look at the stereotypical Italian-American, a playful and affectionate take on immigrants, their food, and their way of life. Here, for your enjoyment, are the lyrics to the song.

That’s Amore!
(In Napoli where love is King)
(When boy meets girl)
(Here’s what they say)

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big-a pizza pie,
That’s amore!
When the world seems to shine
Like you’ve had too much wine,
That’s amore!

Bells’ll ring,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling,
And you’ll sing “Vita bella.”
Hearts’ll play,
Tippi-tippi-tay,
Tippi-tippi-tay,
Like a gay tarantella.

When the stars make you drool,
Just like pasta fazool,
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 dreamin’, signore,
Scuzza me, but you see
Back in old Napoli, that’s amore!

(When the moon hits your eye,)
(Like a big-a 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 bell-vita bella)
(Hearts will play,)
(Tippi-tippi-tay, tippi-tippi-tay)
(Like a gay tarantella.)

Lucky fella!

When the stars make you drool,
Just like pasta fazool,
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 dreamin’, signore,
Scuzza me, but you see
Back in old Napoli, that’s amore!