Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano

Lyrics by Nicola Salerno, music by Renato Carosone, 1956

Puorte ‘e cazune cu nu stemma arreto
na cuppulella c’a visiera aizata
passi scampanianno pe’ Toledo
comm’a nu guappo, pe’ te fa’ guarda’

Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano
’mericano, ’mericano
sient’a mme chi t’ ‘o ffa fa’?

Tu vuoi vivere alla moda,
ma se bevi “whisky and soda”
po’ te siente ‘e disturba’
tu abball’ o’ rocchenroll
tu giochi a baisiboll
ma e solde p’ e’ Ccamel
chi te li da? La borsetta di mamma’!

Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano
mericano, mericano
ma si’ nato in Italy
sient’ a mme, nun ce sta niente ‘a fa’
ok, napulita’!
Tu vuo’ fa’ ll’american
Tu vuo’ fa’ ll’american

Come te po’ capi’ chi te vo’ bbene
si tu lle parle miezo americano?
quanno se fa ll’ammore sott’ ‘a luna
comme te vene ‘ncapa ‘e di’ “I love you”?

Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano
’mericano, ’mericano
sient’a mme chi t’ ‘o ffa fa’?
tu vuoi vivere alla moda
ma se bevi “whisky and soda”
po’ te siente ‘e disturba’
tu abball’ o’ rocchenroll
tu giochi a baisiboll
ma e solde p’ e’ Ccamel
chi te li dà? la borsetta di mamma’!

Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano
’mericano, ’mericano
ma si’ nato in Italy
sient’ a mme, nun ce sta niente ‘a fa’
ok, napulitan
tu vuo’ fa’ l’america’
tu vuo’ fa’ l’america’

Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano
’mericano, mericano
ma si’ nato in Italy
sient’ a mme, nun ce sta niente ‘a fa’
ok, napulita’
tu vuo’ fa’ l’america’
tu vuo’ fa’ l’america’
(whisky and soda e rocchenroll
whisky and soda e rocchenroll
whisky and soda e rocchenroll)

You're Acting All American

Translated by: Yolanda Be Cool (amended by Francesco Ciabattoni)

You’re wearing trousers with a tag on the back
and a cap with the visor turned up,
parading around Toledo
like a dandy trying to show off

You’re acting all American,
American, American,
listen here: who’s asking you to?

You want to be all trendy,
but if you drink “whisky and soda”
you always end up sick!
You’re dancing rock and roll,
and playing baseball,
but where’d you get the money
for the Camel cigarettes? Mummy’s purse!

You’re acting all American,
American, American,
but you’re born in Italy, listen here:
there’s nothing you can do,
ok napoletano!
You’re acting all American,
American, American,

How can your loved one understand
if you’re speaking half american?
When you’re out loving under the moon,
where do you get a phrase like “I love you”?

You’re acting all american,
american, american,
listen here: who’s asking you to?
You want to be all trendy,
but if you drink “whisky and soda”
you always end up sick!
You’re dancing rock and roll,
and playing baseball,
but where’d you get the money
for the Camel cigarettes? Mummy’s purse!

You’re acting all American,
American, American,
but you’re born in Italy, listen here:
there’s nothing you can do,
ok napoletano!
You’re acting all American,
American, American,

You’re acting all American,
American, American,
but you’re born in Italy, listen here:
there’s nothing you can do,
ok napoletano!
You’re acting all American,
American, American,
(whisky and soda and rock ‘n roll
whisky and soda and rock ‘n roll
whisky and soda and rock ‘n roll)