Nini’ Tirabuscio’

Written by Aniello Califano (lyrics) and Salvatore Gambardella (music)

First sung by Gennaro Pasquariello

This song depicts the essence of the Neapolitan cafè-chantant. Released in 1911, it is a first-person portrayal of the worldview of the sciantosa (from the French chanteuse, or female singer), an unscrupulous, brazen character ready to lift her skirt to break into the entertainment world. Tired of her husband, she chooses an eccentric name that suggests unlikely French origins (Ninì Tirabusciò). She studies all the right moves, which have nothing to do with talent: pe cantà nun serve ‘a voce (‘you don’t need a voice to sing’). She winks at rich patrons and is ready to leave Naples, forever. A gem of Neapolitan humoristic caricature, its lyrics are set to a danceable tune with a popular feel, perfectly suited to the repertoire of band music. It was all the rage in the years before the First World War, later taking its place among Neapolitan classics. It was first presented by Gennaro Pasquariello at the Teatro Politeama in Naples and later sung by various sciantose of the time, from Lucy Nanon to Maria Campi, from Yvonne De Fleuriel to Olimpia d’Avigny. In more recent times, ‘Ninì Tirabusciò’ was also recorded by, among others, Angela Luce, Maria Paris and Miranda Martino (with an arrangement by Ennio Morricone). In 1970, it provided inspiration for a film (Ninì Tirabusciò, la donna che inventò la mossa), with Monica Vitti in the role of the protagonist.