Lou Monte

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Lou Monte, born Louis Scaglione on (April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989), was an Italian-American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Records and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also recorded on Roulette Records, Jubilee Records, Regalia Records, Musicor Records, Laurie Records, and AFE Records.

Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball". In 1962, Monte would release his first million-seller, "Pepino, the Italian Mouse". Sung in a pastiche of both Calabrese and English, "Pepino" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's kitchen and who comes out at night to eat cheese, drink wine, frighten Lou's girlfriend when she comes over and befriends the cat, sent out to catch him.

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 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 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', a christmas staple in many Italian-American households and "Pasquale, the Italian Pussycat", the sequel to "Pepino" followed by "Paulucci, the Italian Parrot" and Paul Revere's Horse (Ba-Cha-Ca-Loop). Lou made TV appearances on syndicated programming such as The Mike Douglas Show and the Merv Griffin Show.

After his death his son continued to sing his songs in concert for some time.

He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr. leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.

Lou Monte is interred in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

Pepino, the Italian Mouse
Pepino, the Italian Mouse

Contents

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  • 1953 - Jealous of You / Angelina
  • 1953 - A Baby Cried / One Moment More
  • 1954 - Darktown Strutters Ball / 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 / Truly Yours
  • 1955 - The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat
  • 1955 - Bella Notte / 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 - Dominic 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
Pepino’s Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)
Pepino’s Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)
  • 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 Paisan's 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 / 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.

[edit] EP's

Lou Monte Sings for You (196x) RCA Victor EPA-4177

  1. Lazy Mary
  2. Don't Say Forever
  3. Mama
  4. Just Say I Love Her

Lazy Mary (196x) RCA Victor EPA-5105

  1. Darktown Strutters Ball
  2. Lazy Mary
  3. Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie!
  4. Italian Huckle Buck

Lou Monte Darktown Strutters Ball RCA Victor EPA-568

  1. A Baby Cried
  2. One Moment Please
  3. Darktown Strutters Ball
  4. Won't You Forgive Me

Pepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1961) Reprise # R-6058 EP

  1. Pepino the Italian Mouse
  2. Twist Italiano
  3. What did Washington Say
  4. Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
  5. A Good Man is Hard to Find
  6. Mala Femmena
  7. Show Me the Way to Go Home

[edit] Albums

Here's Lou Monte (1958) RCA CAMDEN Cal-455

  1. Tombolee Tombola
  2. Bella Notte
  3. Rosina! (The Menu Song)
  4. Angelina
  5. I've Got A Crush On You
  6. Liza (All The Clouds Roll Away)
  7. Fascinating Rhythm
  8. Mine
  9. Jealous Of You (Tango della Gelosia)
  10. A Baby Cried

Lou Monte Sings for You (1958) RCA Victor LPM 1651

  1. Lazy Mary (Luna Mezza Mare)
  2. Don't Say Forever (O sole mio)
  3. Just Say I Love Her
  4. When I Hold You In My Arms
  5. I Have But One Heart
  6. Darktown Strutters Ball (Italian Style)
  7. Mama(Mamma)
  8. Tango Of Roses (Tango del Rosa)
  9. Now Is The Time (Torna a Surriento)
  10. Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana)
  11. Non Dimenticar (Don't Forget)
  12. Italian Huckle-Buck (The Huckle Buck)

Lou Monte Sings Songs for Pizza Lovers (1958) RCA Victor LPM-1877

  1. The Sheik Of Araby (Italian Style)
  2. Jealous Of You (Tango Della Gelosia)
  3. Bony Lena
  4. Calypso Italiano
  5. If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake (Italian Style)
  6. Ha! Ha! Ha! (Cha lla La!)
  7. Eh,Marie! Eh,Marie!
  8. The Wife (La Mogliera)
  9. Musica Bella (The Beautiful Music Of Love)
  10. Angelique
  11. Round And Round My Heart
  12. Italian Jingle Bells

Italian House Party (1959) RCA Victor LPM 1976

  1. Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu)
  2. Tell Me You're Mine
  3. Where Do You Work Marie
  4. Senza Mama E Nnammurata!
  5. Solo Perte (Only for You)
  6. Pizza Boy USA
  7. The Italian Cowboy Song
  8. The Angel In The Fountain
  9. Skinny Lena
  10. Strada 'Nfosa
  11. Marianna
  12. Bella Donna

Italiano USA (1960) Roulette R-25126 / SR-25126

  1. The Huckle-Buck (Italian Style)
  2. Always You
  3. Stella D' Amore (Star Of Love)
  4. Rag Mop
  5. Half A Love
  6. Bim Bam Bu (Fruit Store Man)
  7. Music Goes 'Round And Round
  8. Tango Della Gelosia
  9. Innamorata (Sweetheart) from the Paramount film "Artists And Models"*
  10. (The New) Darktown Strutters' Ball (Italian Style)
  11. Dawn Of Love (L'Edera)
  12. Lazy River (Italian Style)

Lou Monte Sings the Great Italian American Hits (1961) Reprise R-6005 / R9-6005

  1. That's Amore
  2. Sixteen Tons
  3. Sorrento
  4. Volare
  5. Abbracciami
  6. I'm Walkin'
  7. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
  8. Chitarra Romana (Roman Guitars)
  9. O Sole Mio
  10. Luna Luna Luna Lu
  11. Via Veneto
  12. Comm'e Bella A Stagione (When I Hold You In My Arms)

Lou Monte Live!!! In Person (1962) Reprise R-6014 / R9-6014

  1. Just Say I Love Her
  2. Darktown Strutters Ball
  3. Roman Guitars (Chitarra Romana)
  4. Sheik Of Napoli (Sheik of Napoli)
  5. Lazy Mary
  6. Mama
  7. Eh Marie, Eh Marie
  8. Mala Femina
  9. Self - Portrait of Lou Monte at Home
  10. 16 Tons
  11. When I Lost You
  12. Skinny Lena
  13. Sorrento

Pepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1962) Reprise R-6058 LP

  1. Pepino, the Italian Mouse
  2. Calypso Italiano
  3. Oh Tessie
  4. Tici Ti-Tica To-Tici Ta
  5. Show Me the Way to Go Home
  6. What did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware)
  7. Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
  8. A Good Man is Hard to Find
  9. Eh Marie, Eh Marie
  10. Sixteen Tons
  11. Mala Femmena
  12. Twist Italiano

Spotlight on Lou Monte & Botti-Endor Quartet (1962) SDLP-149 Stereo Spectrum Records / Design Records

  1. Oh Mari, O' Sole Mio, Oh Mari
  2. Tell You What I'm Gonna Do
  3. Oh Baby Kiss Me
  4. Yesterday's Memories
  5. Pullechinella
  6. Americano
  7. You're Welcome
  8. Ciao Capri
  9. If I Could Know
  10. Funiculi Funicula, Marenariello, Funiculi Funicula

More Italian Fun Songs From Lou Monte & The Gang (1963) Reprise R-6099 / R9-6099

  1. Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)
  2. La Luna Si Vuole Sposare
  3. Pepino's Cha Cha
  4. Tell Me That You Love Me (Parlami D'Amore Mariu)
  5. I Like You You Like Me Eh Paisan
  6. Paulucci (The Italian Parrot)
  7. Bossa Nova Italiano
  8. You're So Smart, You're So Smart, Eh Papa
  9. Arrivederci, Roma
  10. Tijuana Italiano
  11. Oh! My Pa-Pa O Mio Papa
  12. Limbo Italiano

Lou Monte's Golden Hits (1964) Reprise R-6118 / RS-6118

  1. Lazy Mary (Luna Mezzo Mare) (LIVE)
  2. Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana)
  3. Pepino The Italian Mouse
  4. Mama (LIVE)
  5. Darktown Strutters Ball (LIVE)
  6. Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
  7. The Shiek of Araby (LIVE)
  8. When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione)
  9. Eh Marie, Eh Marie (LIVE)
  10. Pepino's Friend Pasqual
  11. Mala Femmena (LIVE)
  12. What Did Washington Say

The Mixed-Up Bull from Palermo (1965) Reprise R/RS-6155

  1. The Mixed Up Bull From Palermo
  2. Think It Over
  3. My Paisan's Across The Way
  4. Hootennany Italian Style
  5. I Know How You Feel
  6. Skinny Lena
  7. Hello Dolly (Italian Style)
  8. You're So Bella, Isabella
  9. Jungle Louie (The Italian Tarzan)
  10. Too Fat Polka (Italian Style)
  11. Who Stole My Provolone
  12. Down Little Doggie

The Best of Lou Monte (1966) RCA Victor LPM 3672 / LSP 3672

  1. The Darktown Strutters Ball
  2. Italian Huckle Buck
  3. Roman Guitars
  4. Lazy Mary
  5. Eh Marie, Eh Marie
  6. The Shiek of Araby
  7. Just Say I Love Her
  8. Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu)
  9. When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione)
  10. Skinny Lena
  11. Calypso Italiano

Lou Monte Sings Good Time Songs (1967) RCA Victor LPM-3705 /LSP-3705

  1. Oh How I Miss You Tonight
  2. By The Light of The Silvery Moon
  3. The Gang That Sang Heart Of My Heart
  4. Wedding Bells Are Breaking up That Old Gang Of Mine
  5. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
  6. Let The Rest Of The World Go By
  7. When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New
  8. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
  9. Maybe
  10. Are You Lonesome Tonight
  11. That Old Gang Of Mine
  12. Who's Sorry Now

Lou Monte, Fun Italian Style (197X) Tele House CD-2046 (2 LP set)

Disc One
  1. Pepino the Italian Mouse
  2. Eh Marie, Eh Marie
  3. Sixteen Tons
  4. Hello Dolly
  5. Too Fat Polka
  6. Jungle Louie
  7. Lazy Mary
  8. The Sheik of Napoli
  9. My Paisans Across The Way
  10. Bossa Nova Italiano
  11. What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware)
  12. Pepino's Cha Cha Cha
  13. That's Amore
Disc Two
  1. Darktown Strutters Ball
  2. Calypso Italiano
  3. Paulucci (The Italian Parrot)
  4. Twist Italiano
  5. Hootenanny Italian Style
  6. Tijuana Italiano
  7. A Good Man is Hard To Find
  8. Skinny Lena
  9. I'm Walking
  10. Think it Over
  11. Oh TessieTake
  12. Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
  13. Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)

Lou Monte Discovers America (1976) Tele House CDS-1

  1. Paul Revere's Horse
  2. What Did Washington Say
  3. Please Mr. Columbus
  4. Skinny Lena
  5. Nicolena
  6. Heart of My Heart
  7. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
  8. Who's Sorry Now
  9. That Old Gang of Mine
  10. Oh How I Miss You Tonight
  11. Maybe
  12. Let the Rest of the World Go By

Lou Monte's Greatest Hits (1977) Laurie Records LES-4005

  1. Peppino, Jealous of You
  2. The Sheik of Napoli
  3. Paul Revere's Horse
  4. Mama
  5. Lazy Mary
  6. Skinny Lena
  7. Jerusalem, Jerusalem
  8. Nicolena
  9. Crabs Walk Sideways
  10. In My Own Little Way I Pray
  11. Darktown Strutter's Ball

Shaddap You Face (1981) AFE Records AFE-7500

  1. Shaddap You Face
  2. Skinny Lena
  3. Babalucci
  4. Mama
  5. Pepino the Italian Mouse
  6. Darktown Strutters Ball
  7. Lazy Mary
  8. Nicolina
  9. Jealous of You
  10. The Sheik of Araby

Pepino Meets Babalucci (198?) LSFD Records (May have been produced by Lou himself.)

  1. Babalucci
  2. Shaddap You Face
  3. Pepino the Italian Mouse
  4. Nicolina
  5. Skinny Lena
  6. Lazy Mary
  7. Angel in Heaven
  8. She's Got to Be a Saint
  9. Mama
  10. Mala Femina
  11. Jealous of You
  12. Bella Notta

[edit] CD's

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*

  1. Pepino the Italian Mouse
  2. She's Got To Be A Saint
  3. Nicolina
  4. I Have An Angel In Heaven
  5. Lazy Mary
  6. An Old Fashioned Girl
  7. Cathedral Town
  8. Skinny Lena
  9. I Really Don't Want To Know
  10. Fascinating Rhythm
  11. I've Got A Crush On You
  12. Sheik Of Araby
  13. The Darktown Strutters Ball

Lou Montes Greatest Hits Part 2 (2007) Ronray Records*

  1. Shaddap You Face
  2. Lazy Mary
  3. The Sheik of Napoli
  4. Darktown Strutters Ball
  5. Jerusalem, Jerusalem
  6. Babalucci
  7. Mrs. Brown’s Donkey (never before released)
  8. Darktown Disco
  9. The Sheik Disco
  10. In My Own Little Way

Plus 6 more tracks of outtakes.

  • *Lou's two surviving Son's produced these 2 CD's

[edit] Recording Label History

[edit] Special Recordings

Soundtracks

Two musical soundtrack albums where made with various recording artist under "Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre Presents".

Radio Station Program Recordings

  • The Office of Civil Defense and Mobilization recorded a series of record albums entitle "Stars for Defense" 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.

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • His version of the song "Lazy Mary" is played at Shea Stadium at every seventh inning stretch.

[edit] See also

Date Song Label
1953 Jealous of You / Angelina RCA
1953 A Baby Cried / One Moment More RCA
1954 Darktown Strutters Ball / I Know How You Feel RCA
1954 Somewhere There Is Someone / Won't You Forgive Me RCA
1954 Chain Reaction / Vera's Veranda RCA
1954 Italian Huckle-Buck / Just Like Before RCA
1954 When I Hold You In My Arms / In My Dreams RCA
1954 Cats Whiskers / Roulette RCA
1955 How Important Can It Be / Truly Yours RCA
1955 The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat RCA
1955 Bella Notte / With You Beside Me RCA
1955 Yaller Yaller Gold / King Of The River RCA
1955 Tombolee Tombola / Rosina RCA
1956 Nina, The Queen of the Teeners / Pony Tail RCA
1956 If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked A Cake / Ask Your Heart RCA
1956 Elvis Presley For President / If I Was A Millionaire RCA
1957 Calypso Italiano / Someone Else Is Taking You Home RCA
1957 Musica Bella / The Wife RCA
1957 Ha! Ha! Ha! / Round and Round My Heart RCA
1958 Lazy Mary / Angelique RCA
1958 Eh Marie, Eh Marie / Sheik of Araby RCA
1958 Marianna / Strada 'Nfosa RCA
1958 Skinny Lena / Where Do You Work Marie RCA
1959 Pizza boy-U.S.A. / The Italian Cowboy Song RCA
1959 The Angel in The Fountain / Solo Per Te RCA
1959 Pistol Packin` Mama / Have Another RCA
1959 All Because it's Christmas / Santa Nicola RCA
1960 The Huckle-Buck / Always You ROULETTE
1960 Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey / Christmas at Our House ROULETTE
1960 The Three Italian Bears / Come Prima (Promo Only) ROULETTE
1961 A Good Man is Hard to Find / Sixteen Tons REPRISE



[edit] External links

[edit] References