In his youth, Prima played trumpet with Irving Fazola, his brother's band, and the pit band of the Saenger Theater. In 1933 he began his busy recording career, as part of the David Rose orchestra at station WGN, Chicago; he was also part of the small recording group The Hotcha Trio, with Rose on piano and Norman Gast on violin. In 1934 Prima moved to New York, working regularly on 52nd Street with old New Orleans friends like Eddie Miller (tenor sax and clarinet) and George Brunies (trombone), and also new acquaintances like Pee Wee Russell (clarinet). Prima's informal jazz group was known as Louis Prima and His New Orleans Gang, and this band recorded prolifically for Brunswick through 1936, and then for Vocalion and Decca.
Prima's 1936 composition, "Sing Sing Sing", which he had released with the New Orleans Gang in March, 1936 as a Brunswick 78, Brunswick 7628, with "It's Been So Long" as the B side, became one of his biggest hits and one of the most covered standards of the swing era; Benny Goodman's performance of the song at Carnegie Hall with a featured performance by Gene Krupa on drums has become iconic.
Louis Prima and His Band
Prima moved to Los Angeles to headline at the Famous Door nightclub. He appeared in several Hollywood movies, including a featured performance with Bing Crosby in the 1936 film Rhythm on the Range. Prima and his Dixieland Gang continued to play club dates across the nation, including a 1939 stint at New York's Hickory House.
Big bands were big business then, and Prima apparently bowed to pressure from booking agents and formed a conventional big band in 1940. He exploited a distinctive, shuffling beat (which he called "Gleeby Rhythm"); this trademark Prima shuffle remained part of his repertoire for two decades. Prima sang most of the band vocals, with Lily Ann Carol as the "girl singer." Prima's high-powered drummer at this time was Jimmy Vincent, an energetic teenager who remained with the Prima band for many years.
In 1947 he added singer Cathy Ricciardi, who recorded under the name Cathy Allen. She was succeeded in 1949 by Keely Smith (who was to become his fourth wife), and the band concentrated on novelty songs like "Civilization (Bongo Bongo Bongo)" and "All Right, Louis, Drop the Gun." Prima's big band continued into the early 1950s, with a series of novelty recordings supervised (sometimes heavy-handedly) by record producer Mitch Miller.
Vegas years
The popularity of the big-band sound started to wane, and Prima began losing money, just as he needed it to support the pregnant Smith. Prima found work with Smith in small venues all over the East Coast. Eventually he called up his friend Bill Miller, who was then entertainment director of The Sahara nightclub and casino in Las Vegas, and asked for a job. His friend Cab Calloway warned him against the cramped Sahara lounge, but the financial pressure was too great. Prima telephoned saxophonist Sam Butera and instructed him to pick up a few musicians and go to Las Vegas in time for Prima's debut.
Prima acknowledged his new musicians for the opening-night crowd, and spontaneously asked Butera what the name of the band was. Butera ad-libbed, "The Witnesses!" From then on, Sam Butera and the Witnesses backed Prima and Smith on stage and records.
Prima and Smith worked hard throughout the 1950s, performing multiple shows a night and finishing at 6 a.m. Their efforts were rewarded with a resurgence in their popularity, and they were at least partly responsible for making the lounge at The Sahara a hotspot. On stage, Prima insisted on Smith adopting a humorless, poker-faced character that would play straight to Prima's zany ad libs. Smith actually had a fine sense of comedy that is often audible on the team's recordings; no matter how much the incorrigible Prima tried to disrupt her vocals, Smith would often come back with a funny remark of her own.
Louis Prima and Keely Smith were very much the model for Sonny & Cher: the exuberant Italian musician and the serious, exotic female singer, Smith and Cher both being of Cherokee descent (although Cher's heritage is primarily Armenian). Similarly, echoes of the stage banter between Prima and Butera would be heard years later in the early performances of the E Street Band and the interplay between Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons.
In 1959, Prima and Smith won the Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus for "That Old Black Magic."
In 1956 the Prima ensemble performed at the Sahara Hotel and Casino to record tracks for the album The Wildest!. It was an attempt by Capitol Records to capture the essence of the Vegas act. Over the next nine years, Prima and Smith raised two children, while he made scores of records, owned racehorses, appeared on television, and even opened a golf course. They outgrew the lounge and were promoted to the big room. They appeared in a few quickie musical films, including Senior Prom and Hey Boy! Hey Girl! Prima co-produced the feature Twist All Night, in which his band also appeared.
During this whirlwind of activity, according to Smith, the couple drifted farther and farther apart. One night, he refused to conduct for one of Smith's performances, delegating to Butera instead. A few days later they were in court, petitioning for divorce.
Later years
Following the divorce, he began dating Gia Maione. Maione was a long-time fan of Prima's, was already familiar with all the arrangements to his songs, and even kept a signed photo of him in her purse. She eventually became Prima's fifth and final wife, and was with the band right up until 1975. By this point, the band was putting out a markedly different and more contemporary sound, with electric organs and synthesizers, even dabbling in progressive rock.
In 1967 Prima's distinctive voice and jazzy delivery landed him a role in Walt Disney's animated feature The Jungle Book, as the raucous orangutan King Louie. He performed the hit song "I Wanna Be Like You" on the soundtrack, leading to the recording of two albums with Phil Harris: The Jungle Book and More Jungle Book, on Disneyland Records. He can also be heard on the soundtrack of another cartoon feature, The Man Called Flintstone.
He suffered a mild heart attack in 1973. In 1975, following headaches and episodes of memory loss, Louis Prima sought medical attention, and found out he had a stem brain tumor. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and went into a coma following surgery to remove the tumor. He never recovered, and died three years later, having been moved back to New Orleans. He was buried in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans; his gray marble crypt is topped by a figure of Gabriel, the trumpeter-angel. The inscription on the crypt's door quote the lyrics from one of his hits: "When the end comes, I know, they'll all say 'just a gigolo' as life goes on without me. Lovingly, your little family..."
My Cucuzza
Louis Prima Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza, I wanna be
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Cucuzza grows in Italy
They love it on the farm
It's something like zucchini
I call my gal Cucuzza
'Cause she's sweet as she can be
She loves to hear me say
Cucuzza please babouche me
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza Bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza, I wanna be
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Now you can have your pasta
And your chicken cacciatore
I'd rather have Cucuzza
'Cause for me it means amore
So when the moon is shining bright
On dear old Napoli
I dream of my Cucuzza
She's the only dish for me
My Cucuzza, Cucuzza Keely
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza, I wanna be
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
I'm going back to Napoli
And make Cucuzza mine
So I can have Cucuzza
Sweet Cucuzza all the time
Oh mama mia my love and I
How happy we will be
To raise some more Cucuzzas
Who will look like her and me
My Cucuzza, yeah Cucuzza Bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza, I wanna be
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Louis Prima's song, "My Cucuzza," is a playful love song dedicated to a woman that the singer relates to a particular vegetable: the cucuzza. In the song, Prima explains that cucuzza is an Italian plant that is a bit similar to zucchini and that is loved on Italian farms. To him, his girl is like cucuzza, sweet and charming with a particular Italian flavor. He affectionately calls her "Cucuzza" and enjoys telling her, "Cucuzza, please babouche me," and she is "crazy over" him, as he is over her.
The song's lyrics compare Cucuzza to a pizza pie with a lot of mozzarella, expressing his desire to be with her always. While other people might choose pasta or chicken dishes, Prima prefers the taste of Cucuzza. The song is his love letter to her, and he dreams of going back to Napoli to be with her and to make her his. He imagines their children as more Cucuzzas who look like both of them.
Overall, "My Cucuzza" is a fun, lively song that celebrates Italian culture, love, and food. With humor and charm, it presents a joyful message about the delectable cucuzza vegetable and the love it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
My Cucuzza, Cucuzza Bella
I am referring to my beloved as my Cucuzza, which is another way of saying my sweet, lovely companion. She is alluring and beguiling.
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
My companion, to me, is like a delicious pizza pie adorned with an abundance of melted mozzarella cheese. She is thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable.
With Cucuzza, I wanna be
Being with my Cucuzza is my desire; I yearn for her companionship and affection.
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
I feel fortunate because my Cucuzza is deeply enamored with me and it brings me great joy and satisfaction.
Cucuzza grows in Italy
Cucuzza is a plant that is cultivated in Italy.
They love it on the farm
It is adored by those who work on the farm where it is grown.
It's something like zucchini
Cucuzza is similar to zucchini in terms of appearance and taste.
Flavored with Italian charm
It has a distinct Italian flavor to it that is unique and alluring.
I call my gal Cucuzza
I have affectionately nicknamed my girlfriend Cucuzza because I find her endearing and charming.
'Cause she's sweet as she can be
I refer to her this way because she is kind-hearted and delightful in every way.
She loves to hear me say
My Cucuzza takes pleasure in listening to me say the nickname I have given her.
Cucuzza please babouche me
This is a playful phrase that I say to my Cucuzza which translates to 'Cucuzza, please kiss me.'
Now you can have your pasta
While I understand the love for pasta, it doesn't compare to my love for my Cucuzza.
And your chicken cacciatore
Similarly to pasta, chicken cacciatore pales in comparison to the joy and satisfaction my Cucuzza brings me.
I'd rather have Cucuzza
Given the choice between all other foods, I would choose to have my Cucuzza by my side.
'Cause for me it means amore
Being with my Cucuzza is love for me; it fills me with warmth and joy.
So when the moon is shining bright
On a peaceful evening when the moon is full and bright in the sky above, I often find myself thinking of my Cucuzza.
On dear old Napoli
I associate Napoli with the happiness and love that I share with my Cucuzza.
I dream of my Cucuzza
In my quiet moments, I often find myself envisioning a future where I am with my cherished Cucuzza.
She's the only dish for me
In the figurative sense, my Cucuzza is the only thing that will satisfy me and make me happy.
I'm going back to Napoli
I am planning on returning to the place where I first met my Cucuzza.
And make Cucuzza mine
My goal is to once again win over the heart of my beloved Cucuzza.
So I can have Cucuzza
Being with her brings me indescribable joy and satisfaction; I want nothing more than to be with her.
Sweet Cucuzza all the time
I want to be surrounded by my cherished Cucuzza constantly.
Oh mama mia my love and I
Expressing an overwhelming sense of joy, I cannot help but to exclaim: 'oh my goodness, my love and I...'
How happy we will be
Looking forward to a future with my Cucuzza fills me with a tremendous amount of happiness and anticipation.
To raise some more Cucuzzas
Hopeful for the future, I look forward to the possibility of raising more 'Cucuzzas' (children) with her.
Who will look like her and me
I imagine and hope that our future children will look like a blend of both my Cucuzza and myself.
'Cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Despite all of my flaws, my Cucuzza still loves me and that brings me incredible happiness and satisfaction.
Writer(s): CORPORA VICTOR GARI, ADELSTEIN MILTON
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@scottdeleo
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa muzzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Cucuzza grows in Italy
They love it on the farm
It's something like zucchini
Flavoured with Italian charm
I call my girl Cucuzza
'cause she's sweet as she can be
She loves to hear me say
"Cucuzza please babotcha me"
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa muzzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Now you can have your pasta
And your chicken cacciatore
I'd rather have Cucuzza
'cause for me it means amore
So when the moon is shining bright
On dear old Napoli
I dream of my Cucuzza
She's the only dish for me
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza Keely
She's my pizza pie with lotsa muzzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
I'm going back to Napoli
And make Cucuzza mine
So I can have Cucuzza
Sweet Cucuzza all the time
Oh mama mia my love and I
How happy we will be
To raise some more Cucuzzas
Who will look like her and me
My Cucuzza
Yeah Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa muzzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
@sammyrayofficial
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Cucuzza grows in Italy
They love it on the farm
It's something like zucchini
Flavoured with Italian charm
I call my girl Cucuzza
'cause she's sweet as she can be
She loves to hear me say
"Cucuzza please babotcha me"
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
Now you can have your pasta
And your chicken cacciatore
I'd rather have Cucuzza
'cause for me it means amore
So when the moon is shining bright
On dear old Napoli
I dream of my Cucuzza
She's the only dish for me
My Cucuzza
Cucuzza Keely
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
I'm going back to Napoli
And make Cucuzza mine
So I can have Cucuzza
Sweet Cucuzza all the time
Oh mama mia my love and I
How happy we will be
To raise some more Cucuzzas
Who will look like her and me
My Cucuzza
Yeah Cucuzza bella
She's my pizza pie with lotsa mozzarella
With Cucuzza
I wanta be
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
'cause Cucuzza is so crazy over me
@BaltimoresBerzerker
Gardening brought me here!
@riadelgiudice5711
now that cracks me up!
@franciscaricafort6697
I love listening to Louis Prima songs ! Very entertaining!
@cruiznsuzan8491
Thanks cuz! What a fun song! I love it. I'll be singing that refrain for days!
@Quindar11
Awesome...always loved this song!
@stanleynorman2645
Good song !!!
@rogeralsop3479
Excellent.
@rosebaiamonte9116
I love it. Thanks..it really is funny.
@phyllispetitti4665
cute song
@emilioflores971
Great