Weddingbee Blog

We asked Mr. Penguin’s brother Paul for a little help picking out some songs with an “Italian-American” vibe to play during dinner at our reception, since the winery we’re getting married at has a Tuscan theme.  We thought Paul would be the expert to turn to since he has both a love for music, and a love for Italy. It didn’t all have to be sung by Italian Americans, but we wanted the music to all fall in the same genre.  Rather than shove a couple ideas our way, he sat down and made this amazing comprehensive list (with notes!) and I thought I’d share it with all of you in case you’re looking for similar music…because even if you’re not getting married at a Tuscan winery, Sinatra is always in vogue!

Funiculi Funicula- There’s a 3 Tenors version of this, or at least Pavorotti that’s good, a must have
Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano- The “Talented Mr. Ripley” version is by Adriano Celentano, who’s huge in Italy now, but I think the original is by Renato Carosone
Bella Notte-This is the song from Lady & The Tramp when they eat spaghetti
Eh Cumpari- Julius LaRosa, this one still gets the little kids in Italy going
Swinging On a Star-Bing Crosby, probably Bing’s best, swingingest song
Play A Simple Melody-Bing Crosby
I’m not sure he’s Italian, but Bobby Darin-Beyond the Sea,
and Mack the Knife are great

Okay, key songs in the Dean Martin ouevre-
Innamorata-a must
Volare-a must, though the original’s by Domenico Modugno, you can choose which one’s more suitable
Hey Brother Pour The Wine-perfect for a vineyard, and catchy as hell
Buona Sera-not as well known, but it’s a good wedding song
In The Cool Cool of the Evening-a song about throwing a party, well suited
You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You- I prefer it to Sinatra’s version
On An Evening in Roma-a must, Cathy probably knows it from “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Watching the World Go By
That’s Amore-speaks for itself
Come Back to Sorrento-This is a classic
Italian song, also check it out by Pavorotti
That Lucky Old Sun
King of the Road-Roger Miller’s version’s probably better, not sure if Miller’s Italian though
Arrivaderci Roma-You know it from the Simpsons when Homer floods the city to be an artist
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head-great
Everybody Loves Somebody

The Sinatra Stuff:
Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week
Someone to Watch Over Me-slower, but good
Night and Day-Tony Bennett does a good version too
The Song Is You
I’ve Got the World On a String
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
I Get a Kick Out of You
Love and Marriage-If you don’t play this you’re a damn fool
The Tender Trap
Your Make Me Feel So Young
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Witchcraft
Let’s Get Away From It All
Come Fly With Me
Almost Like Being in Love
Strangers in the Night
Summer Wind
All I Need Is The Girl
My Way
Pennies From Heaven
Me and My Shadow
Luck Be A Lady
The Way Your Look Tonight
Fly Me To the Moon
New York, New York
Something-The Beatles song, but Sinatra and Tony Bennett both do great versions of it, I like Bennett’s better, I think
As Time Goes By-Casablanca song
Cheek to Cheek
It Had to be You
I’m Gonna Live Till I Die
Well, Did You Evah

My Cucuzza-Louis Prima
Angelina-Louis Prima
Just a Gigalo/I Ain’t Got Nobody-Louis Prima, look at him a lot, his songs are pretty well suited, but I don’t know all of them
Round and Round-Perry Como
Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes-Perry Como
Steppin’ Out-Tony Bennett
Sing You Sinners-Tony Bennett
Just in Time-Tony Bennett, Sinatra’s version is good too
Boulevard of Broken Dreams-Tony Bennett
I Left my Heart in San Francisco-Tony Bennett, maybe a little sad for a wedding
For Once in My Life-Tony Bennett, everyone sings this song, but I like this version

…And of course, Superfreak-Rick James

Ha ha. I’m super freaky, yowwww.

Any more songs we’re missing for a Tuscan Winery backdrop?