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Thats Amore by Dean Martin
A Nostalgic Journey into Big Band Vegas Music

To many, the words "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie", immediately brings about the strains of Thats Amore by Dean Martin. It heralds memories of a bygone era, intoxicating big band sound and the glittering lights of Vegas music. And for many acoustic guitar players, it's a must-have in their repertoire of weekend gigs and campfire strums. So, let's take a deep dive into "That's Amore", one of Dean Martin's most celebrated songs.

Below is a demo cover, free .pdf chord sheet and rhythm tips for this song.

There are also a full lesson tutorial available for purchase for a small fee if you require the full lesson. There are also Dean Martin album covers displayed so you know which album the songs originate.

For an upcoming 1953 movie called The Caddy, Jerry Lewis paid a composer and a lyricist $30,000 to come up with several songs for the movie that Dean could sing, in the hopes they'd write a hit.

That's Amore was the result and became one of those Dean Martin top songs. Amore means "love" in Italian.

Dean Martin was undeniably a major figure in 20th century popular music, and his rendition of "That's Amore" in 1953 catapulted him to a whole new level of stardom. The song, indeed, was a clear artistic maturation through its poignant lyrics and playful rhythm that perfectly encapsulated Martin's charming persona.

"That's Amore", penned by legendary songwriters Harry Warren and Jack Brooks, was first introduced in the Martin and Lewis comedy, "The Caddy". Released as a single on November 7, 1953, this Italian-themed love song became one of the gems of the era, reaching number 2 on the Billboard charts and number 1 in CashBox magazine's chart. This substantial popularity underscored its ostentatious significance in Dean Martin's career.

Interpreting the song's lyrical content, "That’s Amore" is a light-hearted, fun expression of love, both visually descriptive and metaphorically rich. The song illustrates a tale of romantic euphoria experienced on the streets of Napoli, using pizza pie, pasta, and tarantella as metaphors for love and happiness, not forgetting the sounds of mandolins ringing in harmony, a clear nod to Italian culture.

This important piece of vocal poetry wasn't just another song by Martin. It held a deeper connection to his Italian heritage, a sense of homecoming, if you will. Born as Dino Paul Crocetti to Italian immigrant parents, the song served as an homage to his ancestry, identifiable through unmistakable, old world charm that he brought to the performance.

Interestingly, "That's Amore" was nearly not included in "The Caddy". The anecdote goes that director Norman Taurog wasn't initially convinced about the song, but Martin and Lewis persuaded him to use it. Fast forward today, Dean Martin's performance of "That's Amore" is a nostalgic gem nestled in the annals of entertainment culture, a fun and upbeat reverie remembered fondly by generations of audiences.

For those encapsulated by the infectious rhythm of "That's Amore", you can find timeless live performances of the song on Dean Martin's official VEVO on YouTube. Cover versions by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé can also be found. The song is also available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Moreover, fans of Martin's extraordinary voice can enjoy his heartfelt rendition of "Return to Me" on the same platforms. The 1958 hit, entrancing audiences with its melancholic melody and profound lyrics, is another shining testament to his enduring legacy as a master entertainer.

Learning to play "That's Amore" on the acoustic guitar will make you a hit in any gathering. The chords are friendly to intermediate players, with a simple structure and the delightful waltz tempo gives players plenty of room to ornament their performance.

Remember, amidst the fun and nostalgia, music is always about connecting and entertaining. The next time you strum the chords and croon the lyrics of "That's Amore", remember it's more than just song. It's a musical representation of a timeless era, of Dean Martin’s endearing charm, and a charming ode to love that never gets old.

Thats Amore By Dean Martin Chords

Drop D Tuning: No
Capo: No
Rhythm: shuffle rhythm in the beginning and then use root down down or root down up down up and repeat
Picking: No
Chords: Am, Dm, E7, A, B7, Db, Gb, D, F, A#, C7, Eb, Ebm

Thats Amore By Dean Martin Lyrics, Demo & Tutorial

(In Napoli where love is king
When boy meets girl here's what they say)

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta e fasule
That's amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you're not dreaming, signore
Scusa mi, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore (That's amore)
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore (That's amore)
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella" (Vita bell—Vita bella)
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella (lucky fella)

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta e fasule
That's amore (That's amore)
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you're not dreaming, signore
Scusa mi, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore (amore)
That's amore