Lou Monte (born Louis Scaglione; April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989) was an
Italian American
Italian Americans ( it, italoamericani or ''italo-americani'', ) are Americans who have full or partial Italian ancestry. The largest concentrations of Italian Americans are in the urban Northeast and industrial Midwestern metropolitan areas, ...
singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both
RCA Victor
RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also Aris ...
and
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels.
Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Enya, Michael ...
in the late 1950s and early 1960s, most famously " Lazy Mary" (1958) and the 1962/63 million-selling US single " Pepino the Italian Mouse", plus the seasonal track "
Dominick the Donkey
"Dominick the Donkey" is a Christmas music, Christmas song written by Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell, and was recorded by Lou Monte in 1960, on Roulette Records. The song describes Dominick, a donkey who helps Santa Claus bring presen ...
". He also recorded on
Roulette Records
Roulette Records was an American record company and label founded in 1957 by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Kahl, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed direc ...
,
Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records was an American independent record label, specializing in rhythm and blues and novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. His partner was Jerry Blaine. Blaine bought Abramson's half of the compan ...
, Regalia Records,
Musicor Records
Musicor Records was a New York City-based record label, active during the 1960s and 1970s. The label was founded by songwriter Aaron Schroeder and distributed by United Artists Records. In 1965, UA employee and A&R man Arthur Talmadge (a co-fo ...
,
Laurie Records
Laurie Records was a record label established in New York City in 1958 by brothers Robert and Gene Schwartz, and Allan I. Sussel. Among the recording artists on Laurie's roster were Dion and the Belmonts (both together and as separate acts), ...
, 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
Lyndhurst is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 20,554, reflecting an increase of 1,171 (+6.0%) from the 19,383 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn ...
, 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
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
broke out, Monte had to put his career on hold and enlist in the
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
. 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
Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.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
"Darktown Strutters' Ball" is a popular song by Shelton Brooks, published in 1917. The song has been recorded many times and is considered a popular and jazz standard. There are many variations of the title, including "At the Darktown Strutters' ...
". In 1962, Monte released his first million-seller song, " Pepino the Italian Mouse", which was awarded a
gold disc
Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...
. Co-written by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell and sung alternately in English and a
pastiche
A pastiche is a work of visual art, literature, theatre, music, or architecture that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche pays homage to the work it imitates, rather than mocking it ...
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
Dominick P. "Don" Costa (June 10, 1925 – January 19, 1983) was an American conductor and record producer. He discovered singer Paul Anka and worked on several hit albums by Frank Sinatra, including ''Sinatra and Strings'' and '' My Way''.
...
Productions. "Pepino" peaked at number five on ''Billboards Hot 100"Billboard Hot 100 Charts – The Sixties/The Seventies", Record Research Inc, 1990 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
George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...
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
Martha (Hebrew: מָרְתָא) is a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She was witness to ...
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
"Dominick the Donkey" is a Christmas music, Christmas song written by Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell, and was recorded by Lou Monte in 1960, on Roulette Records. The song describes Dominick, a donkey who helps Santa Claus bring presen ...
", a Christmas staple in many
Italian-American
Italian Americans ( it, italoamericani or ''italo-americani'', ) are Americans who have full or partial Italian ancestry. The largest concentrations of Italian Americans are in the urban Northeast and industrial Midwestern metropolitan areas, w ...
households and "Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)", the sequel to "Pepino" followed by "Paulucci, the Italian Parrot" and "
Paul Revere
Paul Revere (; December 21, 1734 O.S. (January 1, 1735 N.S.)May 10, 1818) was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, Sons of Liberty member, and Patriot and Founding Father. He is best known for his midnight ride to a ...
'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
In baseball in the United States and Canada, the seventh-inning stretch is a long-standing tradition that takes place between the halves of the seventh inning of a game. Fans generally stand up and stretch out their arms and legs and sometimes w ...
at
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
games (both at
Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium (), formally known as William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City.
and now at
Citi Field
Citi Field is a baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York City, United States. It opened in 2009 and is the home field of Major League Baseball's New York Mets. The stadium was built as a replacement for the adjacent ...
), immediately after "
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of North American baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song ...
".
"
Dominick the Donkey
"Dominick the Donkey" is a Christmas music, Christmas song written by Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell, and was recorded by Lou Monte in 1960, on Roulette Records. The song describes Dominick, a donkey who helps Santa Claus bring presen ...
" has enjoyed more recent success in the UK, thanks to its extensive use on
The Chris Moyles Show
''The Chris Moyles Show'' is the title given to two differing versions of a radio programme hosted by Chris Moyles, originally broadcast as Radio 1 Breakfast from 5 January 2004 to 14 September 2012 before transferring three years later on 21 ...
in reference to
Newsbeat
''Newsbeat'' is the BBC's radio news programme broadcast on Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network. ''Newsbeat'' is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC's other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically you ...
newsreader and regular show contributor
Dominic Byrne
Dominic Anthony Byrne (born 10 November 1972) is a British newsreader and presenter. He currently works on the Chris Moyles Breakfast show on Radio X, having previously worked as the newsreader for Capital London on the Capital FM Breakfast ...
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
The Military Wives Choirs is a registered charity and network of 75 choirs in British military bases across the UK and overseas, bringing women in the military community closer together through singing. With over 2,200 members, the MWC network ...
. Dominic the Donkey did however outsell several rival chart campaigns most notably campaigns supporting
Nirvana
( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
's rerelease of "
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, ''Nevermind'' (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success of the song propelled ''Neve ...
", which made number 11, and unsigned
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
blogger
Alex Day
Alex Richard George Day (born 8 April 1989) is an English musician, vlogger and writer. Day has released seven studio albums, two EPs, and had three UK Top 40 hits.Holiday, RyanYouTube and Chart Sensation Alex Day the Future of Music? ''Forbes' ...
, who reached number 4.
A portion of Monte's song "Skinny Lena" has notably been sampled into the
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants (often abbreviated as TMBG) is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a duo, often accompanied by a d ...
track "Number Three."
Monte made TV appearances on syndicated programming such as ''
The Mike Douglas Show
''The Mike Douglas Show'' was an American daytime television talk show that was hosted by Mike Douglas. It began as a local program in Cleveland before being carried on other stations owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting. The show went into nati ...
,'' ''
The Ed Sullivan Show
''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television program, television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in Septembe ...
'' and the ''
Merv Griffin Show
''The Merv Griffin Show'' is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 ...
.''
Monte resided in
Totowa, New Jersey
Totowa (pronounced "TO-tuh-wuh" ) is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the borough's population was 10,844,University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) was a state-run health sciences institution of New Jersey, United States.
It was founded as the Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry in 1954, and by the 1980s was both a majo ...
, 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
Upper Montclair is a census-designated place (CDP), unincorporated community and neighborhood within Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population for the CDP was 11,565.
. 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
"Darktown Strutters' Ball" is a popular song by Shelton Brooks, published in 1917. The song has been recorded many times and is considered a popular and jazz standard. There are many variations of the title, including "At the Darktown Strutters' B ...
/ 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
"How Important Can It Be?" is a popular song written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss, and published in 1955.
Background
The lyrics of the song find the narrator asking her lover why her indiscretions with other boyfriends before him mat ...
/ Truly Yours
* 1955 - The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat
* 1955 - ''
Bella Notte
"Bella Notte" (Italian for "Beautiful Night") is a song for the 1955 animated motion picture ''Lady and the Tramp'' from Walt Disney Productions. The music is by Sonny Burke and the lyrics are by Peggy Lee. The song was performed in the film by ...
'' / 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
"There'll Be Some Changes Made" ("Changes") is a popular song by Benton Overstreet (composer) and Billy Higgins (lyricist). Published in 1921, the song has flourished in several genres, particularly jazz. The song has endured for as many years ...
/ 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.
EPs
''Lou Monte Sings for You'' (196x)
RCA Victor EPA-4177
# Lazy Mary
# Don't Say Forever
# Mama
# Just Say I Love Her
''Lazy Mary'' (196x)
RCA Victor EPA-5105
# Darktown Strutters Ball
# Lazy Mary
# Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie!
# Italian Huckle Buck
''Lou Monte Darktown Strutters Ball''
RCA Victor EPA-568
# A Baby Cried
# One Moment Please
# Darktown Strutters Ball
# Won't You Forgive Me
''Pepino, 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
Albums
''Lou 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)
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn. It was introduced in 1929 by Ruby Keeler (as Dixie Dugan) in Florenz Ziegfeld's musical ''Show Girl''. The stage performances were ...
# Fascinating Rhythm
# Mine
# Jealous Of You (Tango della Gelosia)
# A Baby Cried
''Lou 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 Bells
''Italian House Party'' (1959)
RCA Victor LPM 1976
# Hey Gumbaree (Bibadee Bobadee Bu)
#
Tell Me You're Mine
"Tell Me You're Mine" is a song written by Ronald L. Fredianelli and Dico Vasin and performed by The Gaylords. It reached number 2 on the U.S. pop chart and number 3 on '' Cashbox'' in 1953.
The song ranked number 17 on ''Billboard's'' Year- ...
# 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 Donna
''Italiano 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
''Artists and Models'' is a 1955 American musical romantic comedy film in VistaVision directed by Frank Tashlin, marking Martin and Lewis's 14th feature together as a team. The film co-stars Shirley MacLaine and Dorothy Malone, with Eva Gabor ...
"*
# (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
# Sorrento
''Pepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs'' (1962)
Reprise R-6058 LP
# 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 Italiano
''Spotlight 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 Funicula
''More 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 Mariu)
# 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 Italiano
''Lou 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 Say
''The 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 Doggie
''The 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 Italiano
''Lou 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 Now
''Lou Monte, Fun Italian Style'' (197X)
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 By
''Lou 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 Ball
''Shaddap 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 Araby
''Pepino 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
CDs
''Here'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 DRC1-1428
''Lou 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 DRC23075
''Lou 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 name
''The 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 Ball
''Lou 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
RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also Aris ...
1953-1960
*
Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records was an American independent record label, specializing in rhythm and blues and novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. His partner was Jerry Blaine. Blaine bought Abramson's half of the compan ...
1955-1960?
*
Roulette Records
Roulette Records was an American record company and label founded in 1957 by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Kahl, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed direc ...
1960-1961
*
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels.
Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Enya, Michael ...
1961-1965
*
RCA Victor
RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also Aris ...
1965-1967
*
Musicor Records
Musicor Records was a New York City-based record label, active during the 1960s and 1970s. The label was founded by songwriter Aaron Schroeder and distributed by United Artists Records. In 1965, UA employee and A&R man Arthur Talmadge (a co-fo ...
Jamie Records
Jamie Records is a record label founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1956 by Harold Lipsius (1913–2007) and Allan Sussel (1924–2003). Their first 45rpm single, "It's Great to Fall in Love"/"Truly" by Marian Caruso, was issued in 1956. Th ...
1972
*
Laurie Records
Laurie Records was a record label established in New York City in 1958 by brothers Robert and Gene Schwartz, and Allan I. Sussel. Among the recording artists on Laurie's roster were Dion and the Belmonts (both together and as separate acts), ...
Soundtracks
Two 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
''Kiss Me, Kate'' is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew'' and the conflict on and off-s ...
Stars for Defense Stars for Defense is a series of albums recorded for the United States Federal Civil Defense Administration from 1956 to 1967. Radio stations were instructed to broadcast the content to help Americans prepare for possible disasters, like a nuclear a ...
" 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.