Napo Songs Collection

Author: Yu Zhixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Neapolitan songs are widely recognized as the pioneers of modern popular and folk music, and this is a proven fact. However, what still amazes people today is that some of these Neapolitan songs did not, like contemporary pop songs, just gain popularity in a small region and fade away within three to five years, or at most ten years. Instead, they spread worldwide and have been popular for over a hundred years. Some songs remain extremely popular even today. For this reason alone, it is worth translating their outstanding songs, singing them, and studying the secrets behind their enduring success.
Most composers of Neapolitan songs were not formally trained in music, and few lyricists had higher education. Yet, these individuals wrote songs with diverse themes, covering every aspect of ordinary people's daily lives—food, clothing, shelter, and more. Their music touched the hearts and souls of most people. As a result, Neapolitan songs are not, like some modern pop songs, just a fad for a particular age group. This is one of the deeper reasons why Neapolitan pop songs have endured for so long. Today, for this very reason, we should carefully appreciate the style and melodies of these songs, learn from their essence, and use these insights for our own development.