"Mamma" is a popular song composed in

1940 A calendar from 1940 according to the Gregorian calendar, factoring in the dates of Easter and related holidays, cannot be used again until the year 5280. Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January *January ...

by Cesare Andrea Bixio with Italian lyrics by

Bixio Cherubini Bixio Cherubini (27 March 1899 – 14 December 1987) was an Italian lyricist, playwright and poet. Life and career Born in Leonessa, Cherubini was a descendant of composer Luigi Cherubini. He started composing poems and lyrics during the Worl ...

under the title "Mamma son tanto felice" (''Mum, I am so happy''). The performers of this song included:

Beniamino Gigli Beniamino Gigli ( , ; 20 March 1890 – 30 November 1957) was an Italian opera singer (lyric tenor). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation. Early life Gigli was born in Recanati, in the Marche, the son of a shoem ...

Luciano Tajoli Luciano Tajoli (17 April 1920 – 3 August 1996) was an Italian singer and actor. Music festival Luciano Tajoli participated several times (1961, 1962, 1963, and 1970) in the Sanremo Music Festival, winning in 1961 with the song Al di là.Mar ...

, Richard Tucker,

Claudio Villa Claudio Villa (born Claudio Pica; 1 January 1926 – 7 February 1987) was an Italian singer and actor. Biography Tenor Claudio Villa was born Claudio Pica in the Trastevere quarter of Rome in 1926. He recorded over 3000 songs, sold 45 millio ...

Robertino Loreti Roberto Loreti (born 22 October 1947 in Rome), also known by stage name Robertino (a diminutive of ''Roberto''), is an Italian singer, known mostly for songs he performed as a teenager. Early years He was born to a large family with eight other c ...

Violetta Villas Czesława Gospodarek (née Cieślak; 10 June 1938 – 5 December 2011), known by her stage name Violetta Villas, was a Polish and international cabaret star, singer, actress, composer and songwriter. Her voice was characterized as coloratura so ...

, Muslim Magomayev,

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numerou ...

, Toto Cutugno, Andrea Bocelli, Sergio Franchi, Romina Arena, Jon Christos and

Mario Frangoulis Mario Frangoulis ( el, Μάριος Φραγκούλης, Mários Frankoúlis; born 18 December 1967) is a Greek vocalist and theatre actor, famous for his refined tenor vocals. Born in Rhodesia, Frangoulis after his three decade long career has ...

. In 1946, the English lyrics were written by Harold Barlow and Phil Brito who had their popular recording hit the charts in May 1946 under the title of "Mama". British singer David Whitfield also had a hit with the song, which reached number 12 in the UK Singles Chart in

1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...

. The British lyrics did differ from the American ones. The song was re-arranged and re-written by Geoffrey Parsons and John Turner. The song was also recorded by Connie Francis in 1959 for her album ''

Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites ''Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites'' is a studio album recorded by American singer and entertainer Connie Francis. Background The album consists of traditional Italian and Neapolitan songs (e. g. '' Santa Lucia'') as well as then-current ...

'', with her hit single released in February 1960. Arranged and conducted by Tony Osborne, the Connie Francis version of the song was a number two hit in the UK, and peaked at number eight on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. The song in German (as well as in Dutch and in English) was recorded by Dutch child singer Heintje Simons for his album ''Heintje'' in 1967 (lyrics written by Bruno Balz). Also Heintje performed ''Mama'' in '' Zum Teufel mit der Penne (1968)'' comedy film.

References

External links

* Allmusic.com {{authority control 1941 songs 1955 singles 1960 singles 1960s ballads Songs about mothers Connie Francis songs David Whitfield songs