Guy Lombardo – Auld Lang Syne
Some songs are linked inextricably to a holiday. In many cases it’s a legitimate connection, for example “White Christmas” and Christmas, but in other cases, it’s an association that came to be after the song was released.
Currently Playing: Guy Lombardo – Auld Lang Syne
We all sing it, or at least hear it, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve and the new year begins, but it wasn’t originally a holiday song. It is, however, one of my favorite songs, so while 2004 is still several months away, I’m playing it anyway. Plus, it’s recorded by an Italian-American, the great Guy Lombardo, so I’m even *more* partial to it.
It’s not so much the case anymore, but a LOT of the big-name singers of the big band era were Italian-Americans. I wonder why that was the case? Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Lou Monte, Al Martino, Tony Bennett, Jack Leonard, Vic Damone, Jimmy Durante, Jerry Vale– I could go on forever it seems, except I’m not sure where I am going with this. I could continue by listing all the great Italian-American athletes, but that would be an even longer list. Let’s just all agree that Rocky Marciano, Joe DiMaggio, and Joe Montana were the greatest in their respective fields (no pun intended), and leave it at that.
As you may have surmised, I am in fact an Italian-American, though I’m not sure what that really means. My grandfather came to America from Sicily, so my father was raised in a traditional Sicilian/Italian household, but by the time I was born, we had assimilated, and were just another American family.
My older brothers grew up with at least some sense of the immigrant experience, at least in terms of being surrounded by family from the old country, but by the time I was born most of my Sicilian-born relatives had passed away, and the remaining relatives had left crime-ridden Hawthorne for greener pastures. Said brothers were exposed to the sort of neighborhood and lifestyle that I can only experience second-hand by watching Goodfellas or The Godfather.
America is the melting pot after all, and I suppose I’m another example of that phenomenon at work. Though I may identify as Sicilian-American, realistically I’m no more Sicilian then I am black, white, Chinese, or Lithuanian. I’m just American. To an extent I’ve inherited my father’s love and loyalty for all things Italian, but I can’t exactly say that I’m any different then any other American person due to my lineage.
Today’s Question: Do you feel you belong to any non-American ethnic group, or are you just a melted-in American?
For the record, I’m only half Sicilian. I’m also 1/4 Mexican, 1/8 Native American (Cheyenne, I believe) and 1/8 Swedish. But really, I’m 100% American, for what do I know of those other cultures?
oh, here is today’s comment: “comment”….hahahah….
hey, cute entry on that whole hot hot caliente masturbating thing…
your code will be sent very soon. so, during that time, hobunk, you better make me my pasta!
I think I belong to a mix of both groups.
The italians have a lot of beautiful singers. Although their music styles aren’t the same as those of the 50’s and 60’s, I think there are still a lot of great italian singers.
Natalie Imbruglia
Madonna (of course!)
Gwen Stefani
Justin Guarini~runner up from last year’s American Idol (half italian half black)
Alicia Keys (half italian half black)
Faith Evans (half italian half black)
Mya (half italian half black)
Angelo Venuto (does a lot of techno songs)
Shakira (italian colombian and lebanese)
Andrea Boccelli (young opera singer)
Cyndy Lauper (half italian)
i don’t get it…how do you want your readers to help ?
lol! i like the pic.
Yah, my boyfriend went to that game! (He’s a USC grad, so he was cheering for the enemy though)
@Fizzy Pop, Dear Girlfriend, What are you talking about? Love, Peasprout
HEY! Natalie Imbruglia is an aussie.
I, on the other hand, totally identify with Band Nerds across America. I love Fight Songs! I am mexican but no one seems to believe me. Must be my thick Cali accent, like totally fer shure.
I’m part Irish, part German and part Heinz 57. Guess that makes me part of the melting pot!
I am french, scotish, irish and english. I tell everyone that is why I can’t make any decisions because none of them get along.
#1 – the cartoon is dope. Don’t change it.
#2 – props for this insightful entry.