Pop Rock

The song “Cara Mia,” which translates from the Italian into English as “My Beloved,” is credited to Tulio Trapani and Lee Lange. Tulio Trapani was a professional alias for Mantovani, an Anglo-Italian conductor, composer, and orchestra leader.  And Lee Lange was a professional alias for Bunny Lewis, who was the producer of English singer David Whitfield. The song originally was recorded by David Whitfield, with(not surprisingly)  the Mantovani orchestra, in 1954. It was a huge #1 hit in the U.K. and a top 10 hit in the U.S.

Jay and the Americans recorded it In 1965, with Jay Black on the lead vocal. (The original lead Jay Traynor had left the group at that point).  Black had heard Whitfield sing it on The Ed Sullivan Show and always thought it a good match for his voice. On the track were Jay Black, Kenny Vance, Sandy Deanne, Howard Kane, and Marty Sanders. The cover by Jay and the Americans went to #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and on Cash Box.

Here are the lyrics to “Cara Mia” by Jay and the Americans:

Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I’ll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I’ll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer
Cara Mia fair
I’ll be your love till the end of time

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine

For another song by Jay and the Americans: “Come a Little Bit Closer.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Cara Mia” by Jay and the Americans.