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Love Italy (EP)

Released October 21, 2022

Having grown up in a quintessential close-knit Italian-American household, Emory had an innate appreciation for and connection to Italy through the stories and recipes that were passed down. After dreaming about visiting the country for many years, Emory was finally able to in 2017. This first trip ignited a deep passion for Italian history and culture, and he began reading book after book about the Renaissance, art, architecture, the Medici, and the history of Florence, Venice, and Rome.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he saw from afar how bad Italy was hit, causing the Italian economy's biggest industry, tourism, to shut down. Just like the United States, Emory grieved for Italy, saddened by the videos of its citizens in lockdown and news of so many lives lost. It was during this time that he first began writing about it, not yet planning to create an entire EP, but simply wanting to share his admiration and love for the country with its rich history and welcoming people.

“Italy was an epiphany,” Emory reveals. “My travels, the art, architecture, food, the wonderful people, and the way they revered their artists were eye-opening. Once Italy shut down I was longing to get back but also wanted to give something back — to show my gratitude for relighting the creative fires within and for making me feel at home.”

Track Listing

Roma (3:43)
La Serenissima (3:44)
Firenze (7:13)
Florence in the Fall (3:22)
Oh Tuscany (4:46)
La Primavera (4:47)

“

Louis Emory is a rare gem! He combines his passion for Italy with a talent for songwriting to produce beautiful, celebratory and bittersweet anthems that will make us all remember and long for the charms of bella Italia.”

– Ross King
Bestselling Author and Renaissance Scholar

“

The musical sensations and emotions from the long-awaited 'trip along Italy' have given life to Love Italy, a captivating travel fresco in the form of a six-track EP.”

– Riccardo Gelli
Live Venice, October 27, 2022

“

I absolutely love the beautiful music my brother Lou Emory made on Love Italy!”

– Scott Wolter
Author, Geologist and TV Host of America Unearthed

“

Emory displays a strong sense of arrangement and songwriting knowhow, taking his listeners on a veritable aural journey through Italy.”

– Lucas Garret
Nippertown, October 21, 2022

“

There’s a great groove to the new single... At the heart of ‘Roma’ is the drums and bass delivering a slow, pulsing rhythm that makes you want to move and sway. Over this strong foundation, Emory’s tuneful vocal and the winding electric guitar combine to create a memorable, melodic song, with catchy hooks and a hummable chorus.”

– Andrew Frolish
Americana UK, September 21, 2022

“

Thank you for putting beautiful music into the world. No matter how tough the times, never stop bending the world toward beauty.”

– Stephanie Storey
Author of Oil and Marble and Raphael, Painter in Rome

Official Music Videos: Playlist

Song Lyrics

Roma

By Louis J. Emory

I can’t wait to hit the cobbled streets
Where Vitruvian reigns everlasting
And the ruins still breathe in sublime mystery

From the seven hills and the Colosseum
Triumphal arches and the Vestal Virgins
Man I just want to bathe in all the Pantheon’s light

‘Cause I’m on my way... back to Roma

Pray for fortune ‘cause it’s only a matter of time
Call you visionary then they say you committed a crime
Cross the Rubicon… and on to God

‘Cause I’m on my way... back to Roma
‘Cause I’m on my way... back to Roma

La Dolce Vita, in my garden of Eden
Throw a penny in the Trevi never want to be leavin’
Off to Saint Peter’s Dome, gonna right all my wrongs

‘Cause I’m on my way... back to Roma
‘Cause I’m on my way... back to Roma

Roma

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

Non posso aspettare di ritornare ai sampietrini
Dove Vitruvio regna in perpetuo
E le rovine raccontano ancore sublimi misteri

Dalle sette colline del Colosseo
Archi di trionfo e vergini vestali
Ragazzi, quanto vorrei crogiolarmi in tutta la luce del Pantheon

Perché sto per strada... tornando a Roma

Prega per la fortuna perche’ e’ solo questione di tempo
Chiamarti visionario e poi chiamarti criminale
Attraversa il Rubicone... e poi Dio

Perché sto per strada... tornando a Roma
Perché sto per strada... tornando a Roma

La Dolce Vita, nel mio giardino dell’ Eden
Lancia un centesimo a Trevi desiderando di non partire mai piu’
Verso la cupola di San Pietro, ridiemero’ i miei sbagli

Perché sto per strada... tornando a Roma
Perché sto per strada... tornando a Roma

La Serenissima

By Louis J. Emory

Sweet seduction, at first sight
What human grit can do, with a spark of divine
From Palladian marvels, Sansovino’s too
Drifting by gondola on my way to you

I long for your light…
I long for your…

La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo

Seek Titian’s Assunta, La Maddalena’s truth
Sacrifice at La Salute, God let this plague pass through
Make love like Cassanova, La Fenice nights pursued
Drifting by gondola on my way to you

I long for your light…
I long for your...

La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo

Espresso at the cafes, walk the colonnades
Watch the artists paint as the sun slips away
Illuminated skies, reflecting off the evening tides
Drifting by gondola on my way to you

I long for your light...
I long for your light...
I long for your light…
I long for your...

La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
Oo oo oo oo oooo
Oo oo oo oo oooo

La Serenissima

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

Dolce seduzione, a prima vista
Ciò che la grinta umana può fare, con una scintilla divina
Dalle creazioni Palladiane e Sansoviniane
Galleggiando su una gondola verso te

Mi manca la tua luce...
Mi manchi tu...

La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo

Cerca l’Assunta di Tiziano, la verita’ della Maddalena
Sacrificio Alla Salute, Dio lascia che la peste passi
Fai l’amore come Casanova, La Fenice le notti inseguivano
Galleggiando su una gondola verso te

Mi manca la tua luce...
Mi manchi tu...

La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
La Serenissima (Amore)
Oo oo oo oo oooo

Espresso al bar, passeggiate lungo le colonnate
Guarda gli artisti dipingere mentre il sole si nasconde
Illuminando i cieli, riflettendo le marea serale
Galleggiando su una gondola verso te

Mi manca la tua luce...
Mi manca la tua luce...
Mi manca la tua luce...
Mi manca la tua...

Firenze

By Louis J. Emory

Exiled from Firenze
Driven from my lands
Living in La Serenissima
They say there’s blood on my hands
Pass the days
Praying for guidance
Reflections in the waves
How long till my ban is lifted
‘Till I’m on my way

I’ll trade in all of my silver
And give away all my gold
I’d launch a thousand ships
Just to reach your soul
Just to reach your soul

Contessina, Contessina
How I long for your big brass bed
You’re in my heart forever
You’re in my head
What news of Rinaldo?
Send a letter, post haste
And let Donatello know
David’s taking the courtyard space

I’ll trade in all of my silver
And give away all my gold
I’d launch a thousand ships
Just to reach your soul
Just to reach your soul

While imprisoned in the Signoria
I was poisoned and left for dead
A flash of light, a vision, a shade
By Virgil I was being led
Traveling through Judecca
What a site to see
All the Albizzi
Counting Florins for eternity

I’ll trade in all of my silver
And baby give away all my gold
I’d launch a thousand ships
Just to reach your soul
Just to reach your soul

Brunellschi meet at Reparata
There's a Renaissance at hand
Perspective in the pigments
Enlightenment in the wind
No I won’t stop this dharma
It's been a long epiphany
Primus inter pares
I was born to lead

I’ll trade in all my silver
And give away all my gold
I’d launch a thousand ships
Baby, just to reach your soul
Just to reach your soul

I’ll do all that I have to do
To get back home to you
To get back to Firenze

I’ll do all that I’ve got to do
To get back home to you
To get back to Firenze

I’ll do all that I have to do
Just to get back to you
To get back to Firenze

I’ll do all that I have to do
To get back to you
To get back to Firenze

I’ll do all, I’ll do all, I’ll do all that I have to do
To get back to Firenze

Firenze

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

Esiliato da Firenze
Trasferendomi dalle mie terre
Vivendo La Serenissima
Dicono che ci sia sangue sulle mie mani
Passano i giorni
Pregando per una guida
Riflettendo nelle onde
Quanto rimane prima che il mio bando venga rimosso
Affinche' arrivero' a modo mio

Scambierei tutto il mio argento
E regalerei tutto il mio oro
Salperei su mille anime
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima

Contessina Contessina
Quanto mi manca quel letto d’ottone
Sei nel mio cuore per sempre
Sei nella mia mente
Che ne e’ stato di Rinaldo
Manda una lettera al più presto
A di a Donatello
Che Davide sta occupando il cortile

Scambierei tutto il mio argento
E regalerei tutto il mio oro
Salperei su mille anime
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima

Mentre imprigionato nella Signoria
Avvelenato e lasciato a morire
Un bagliore di luce una visione un’ombra
Da Virgilio sono stato condotto
Traversando la Giudecca
Che vista da vedere
Tutti gli Albizzi
Contano Fiorini per l'eternità

Scambierei tutto il mio argento
E regalerei tutto il mio oro
Salperei su mille anime
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima

Brunelleschi ci si incontra alla Reparata
C’e’ un rinascimento a portata
Prospettive nei pigment
Nirvana nel vento
Non fermerò questo dharma
E’ stata una lunga epifania
Primus inter pares
Sono nato per dirigere

Scambierei tutto il mio argento
E regalerei tutto il mio oro
Salperei su mille anime
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima
Solo per raggiungere la tua anima

Faro tutto cio che devo
Per ritornare a casa da te
Per ritornare a Firenze

Faro tutto cio che devo
Per ritornare a casa da te
Per ritornare a Firenze
Farò tutto, farò tutto, farò tutto ciò che devo
Per ritornare a Firenze

Florence in the Fall

By Louis J. Emory

It's late August and I must be moving on
The weather’s changing by tomorrow we’ll be gone
You caught me dreaming of Florence in the fall
Adventure’s calling, pack your bags, won’t you heed the call

And I wish we would stay for a while
Underneath the stars in the piazza forever baby
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo

Don’t you fret, throw those worries out the door
Life is precious, don’t you waste it no more

And I wish we would stay for a while
Underneath the stars in the piazza forever baby
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo

Firenze d’Autunno

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

E' fine Agosto e devo andare
Il tempo cambia per domani saremo partiti
Mi hai beccato a sognare Firenze d’Autunno
L’avventura chiama, fatti i bagagli, ascolterai la chiamata

E desidero che potessimo rimanere un po
Sotto le stelle che stanno in piazza per sempre tesoro
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo

Non ti preoccupare, lascia le preoccupazioni alla porta
La vita e’ preziosa, non sprecarla piu’

E desidero che potessimo rimanere un po
Sotto le stelle che stanno in piazza per sempre tesoro
Ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo

Oh Tuscany

By Louis J. Emory

Day tripping south
The Arno runs to our north
Past the fields where the sunflowers bathe and sway to the sun's allure
The olive trees and grapevine leaves
The harvest bursting forth
And we're happy... happy…

Wild hills and painted skies
Winding country roads that lead to wine
Oh Tuscany, Oh Tuscany... what you did to me
Oh Tuscany, Oh Tuscany… you’re in my heart
You're in my heart, you’re in my heart, you’re in my heart…

Off in the distance, the clouds kiss and collide
Cypress trees, they line the street that were driving down
Direction’s lost, but it’s all ok, trust in the Divine to guide our way
And we’re happy, and were happy...

Arrive at Querceto as dusk finally starts to fall
Inside we find our fill of Sei, Tuscan charm and warmth
Laura tells us stories ‘till it’s time to head back north
And we’re happy, and we're happy…

Wild hills and painted skies
Winding country roads that lead to wine
Oh Tuscany, Oh Tuscany... what you did to me
Oh Tuscany, Oh Tuscany… you’re in my heart
You're in my heart, you're in my heart, you're in my heart…

Oh Toscana

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

Gita di un giorno a sud
L’Arno corre verso il nostro Nord
Attraverso i campi dove i girasoli si godono e danzano nel sole
Gli uliveti e le vite
Il raccolto straripa
E siamo felici... felici...

Colline selvagge e cieli dipinti
Strade di campagna avvolte alla conduzione del vino
Oh Toscana, Oh Toscana... cosa mi hai fatto
Oh Toscana, Oh Toscana... sei nel mio cuore
Sei nel mio cuore, sei nel mio cuore, sei nel mio cuore...

Nella distanza, le nuvole si baciano e si scontrano
I cipressi pavoneggiano le strade che abbiamo traversato
Direzioni perse, ma va tutto bene, fidati di cio’ che e’ divino per trovare la tua strada
E siamo felici, siamo felici...

Arrivati al Querceto mentre incomincia il tramonto
Dentro troviamo la nostra dose di Sei, calore e fascino toscano
L’aura ci racconta storie finche non e’ ora di ritornare a Nord
E siamo felici, siamo felici...

La Primavera

By Louis J. Emory

It was the age of Sagittarius, at the turning of the tide
Simonetta was the fairest of our time, Aphrodite in disguise
Guliano – like Achilles, would pay for love with his life
Struck by Cupid’s arrow, Simonetta never left his mind

We were so young, but that was long ago
It was the best of times, forever gone

It was April, Fourteen Hundred and Seventy Eight
The campanile bells began to toll
Feigned friends stood behind us, with daggers hidden in their clothes

We were so young, but that was long ago
It was the best of times, forever gone

Poor Guliano was sacrificed at the altar of God
By the Pope and Pazzi, but in the end the conspirators hung

We were so young, but that was long ago
It was the best of times, forever gone

La Primavera

By Luis J. Emory
Translation by Francesca Luisi

Era l’era del Sagittario, al cambiamento della marea
Simonetta era la piu’ bella del nostro tempo, Afrodite in incognito
Giuliano come Achille, avrebbe pagato l’amore con la sua vita
Colpito dalle frecce di Cupido, Simonetta non ha mai abbandonato i suoi pensieri

Eravamo cosi giovani, ma era tanto tempo fa
Erano i giorni migliori, per sempre passati

Era l’aprile del 1478 (mille quattrocentosettantotto)
Il campanile inizio’ a suonare
Falsi amici alle nostre spalle, con lame celate nelle loro maniche

Eravamo così giovani, ma era tanto tempo fa
Erano i giorni migliori, per sempre passati

Povero Giuliano fu sacrificato all’ altare di Dio
Del Papa e dai Pazzi, pero alla fine i consipiratori vennero impiccati

Eravamo così giovani, ma era tanto tempo fa
Erano i giorni migliori, per sempre passati