Tag Archives: Dino Paul Crocetti

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 2

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My mother introduced me to Elvis, but her mother introduced us both to the man Elvis wanted to be: Dino Paul Crocetti. That is Dean Martin, to those of you who did not grow up in a house where he was considered a saint (yes, I am Italian). A member of The Rat Pack who earned the nickname “The King Of Cool” thanks to his suave demeanor, handsome good looks and inimitable charm, Martin did it all-he was a singer, an actor, a stage entertainer, a TV host and the emcee for his legendary celebrity roasts.

Yet, his Christmas album remains my favorite of all his contributions because his voice & those songs continue to connect me to my childhood & the gift of family who passed their love for this man on to me like a cherished family heirloom. That is a priceless legacy.

Dean Martin circa 1960. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin: “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1966, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Let’s Take A Moment Day 454

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

June 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I have a soft spot in my heart for crooners and today’s singer is the reason why. No one did it like Dino Paul Crocetti, who was born on June 7, 1917 in Ohio. Whether he sang in Italian or English, whether he performed alone or with the other members of The Rat Pack or whether I watched him in his TV specials or on the big screen in movies like “Rio Bravo”, “Birds Do It” or “Airport”, Dean Martin was an entertainer in every sense of the word.

Today’s song, originally titled “T’ho voluto bene” (“I love you so much”) was one of my Grandma Mary’s favorite songs. Thanks to her, I grew up with this man’s voice in my life. And what an immeasurable gift that was.

“Please do not forget that our lips have met
And I held you tight dear
Was it dreams ago?
My heart felt this glow only just tonight dear”.

Dean

“The King Of Cool” Dean Martin circa 1960. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin: “Non Dimenticar” (1962, music by P. G. Redi a.k.a. Luigi Pulci, Italian lyrics by Michele Galdieri and English lyrics by Shelley Dobbins).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 83

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 103rd birth anniversary of Dino Paul Crocetti, known to his friends as Dean Martin.  And the world could always use a little more Dean, am I right?  Today’s song went to number one on August 15, 1964.  What song did it replace?  “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles, which held that spot for the first two weeks of that month.  I love The Beatles, but my Italian pride kind of loves this little fact  🙂

Happy birthday, Dino!!!

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Dean Martin circa 1955.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin:  “Everybody Loves Somebody” (1964, written by Sam Coslow, Irving Taylor & Ken Lane).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 12

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Hello from me and this adorable snow couple!!!  I LOVE that they are wearing mittens!!!

day11

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

When the right song and the right singer find each other, it is magic.  When that combination becomes so successful it not only produces a hit record but it also becomes the artist’s signature song.  Most artists have only one song that easily defines them.  For others, there are several.  Today’s artist falls into the second iconic category.  Some of his signature songs include “Everybody Loves Somebody“, “Volare“, “That’s Amore” and today’s Christmas classic.

He recorded it twice, first in 1959 and again in 1966, for two different Christmas album collections.  One of his fellow Rat Pack buddies recorded his own version first in 1950.  Despite the fact that the buddy was Frank Sinatra himself, the most loved and well known version of this song is attributed to the King of Cool.  One glimpse of this incredibly handsome man performing in his smooth, suave debonair demeanor with his wide easy smile and lush baritone voice and it was easy to see why he was awarded that nickname.  And to earn that honor as a member of a group that included the Chairman of the Board, well, that put him in a league all of his own.  Well done, Dino Paul Crocetti.

Dean.jpg

 

Dino Paul Crocetti a/k/a Dean Martin:  “Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!  Let It Snow” (1959 & 1966, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 22

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I follow a lot of unbelievably talented & creative women on Instagram, and since their pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to share a few with you.

Screenshot_20181218-174651_01

Courtesy of Amanda @rosierosechic. 

This pretty picture is from Amanda @rosierosechic.   Her style is feminine without being too girly, creative, thrifted, elegant and neutral with the softest pops of color.  And the way she decorated her young daughter’s room is so beautiful I would not mind having a space like that for myself.  You can see that room and the rest of her lovely home on her IG page.  Thank you, Amanda, for letting me use your picture!!!

Now back to the countdown.

Today’s song was originally recorded by Bing Crosby & Carol Richards in 1950 and was featured in the 1951 movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” where it was sung by Bob Hope & Marilyn Maxwell.  It was written by movie composers Jay Livingston (music) and Ray Evans (lyrics).  Like many other Christmas songs originally sung by Crosby, it has become a holiday staple covered by everyone from Perry Como, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, Martina McBride and Michael Buble, to name a few.  But my favorite version is by the man born Dino Paul Crocetti.

Dean Dino

Dean Martin:  “Silver Bells” (1966).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!