4.8 out of 5 stars 645. Based in New Jersey, Monte subsequently became known as “The Godfather of Italian Humor” and “The King of Italian-American Music.” His specialty was Italian-themed novelty songs like “Pepino the Italian Mouse,” his first and only Top 10 hit. In 2018, Jersey native Joe Baccan dropped “Dominooch,” a sequel to “Dominick.” The song tells the tale of how Dominick’s son takes over for his aging padre. But it’s become a cult classic in the nearly 70 years since, especially in Italian American households. Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey) by Lou Monte & Joe Reisman's Orchestra & Chorus. Dominick the Donkey Lyrics: Ay, Jing-a-di-jing hee haw hee haw / It's Dominick the Donkey / Jing-a-di-jing hee haw hee haw / The Italian Christmas Donkey / Lalalalalalalalala. ... Now they are calling this really amazing person a racist… (la la la-la la-la la la la la) (la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da) Jingle bells around his feet, And presents on the sled. Paperback $11.99 $ 11. A donkey, Hee Haw! Nestor was the donkey that Mary rides into Bethlehem. In 2014, the song reached #69 on Billboard’s Holiday 100 and #23 on the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart. While his noble efforts didn’t yield a coveted Christmas #1, “Dominick” peaked at a very respectable #3. Ho-Ho-Horrific Case History: Does this even need a whitewash-washing? As of December 2019, the Christmas curio had surpassed 21 million Spotify streams. Maria Sherman. By the book's final page, readers end up with a spunky, hanky-panky, cranky, stinky, dinky, lanky, honky-tonky, winky wonky donkey! Aside from inevitable cries against the song’s narrator honoring, capitalism-brainwashed acquisitiveness, most recent repudiations of “Santa Baby” center on these lines: “Think of all the fun I’ve missed/Think of all the fellas that I haven’t kissed/Next year I could be just as good/If you’ll check off my Christmas list.”. It's my favorite christmas song ever! The Charges: Racist “Spanglish”; ... Monte landed a perennial Yuletide heavy-rotator (particularly around New York City) with his irresistible sing-along, “Dominick the Donkey. Done for an art class at school. “Pepino” reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, the year before The Beatles broke America. The singer’s unfortunate naiveté is evidenced in the song itself when Santa assures the children of the world that he’ll be shaking the disease off soon and the North Pole will be back to normal business next year. I couldn’t understand many of his routines because I believe he had a Neapolitan accent. Save. Look at the mayor's derby, On top of Dominick's head. The Charges: Ethnic Stereotypes; Reinforcing Gender Binaries; Italian-Washing Brooklyn; PC Police File: “The 10 Worst Ambassadors of Italian Culture via Song”, Ho-Ho-Horrific Case History: Italian-American novelty record sensation Lou Monte landed a perennial Yuletide heavy-rotator (particularly around New York City) with his irresistible sing-along, “Dominick the Donkey.”. This song, recorded in the 1960s by Lou Monte is one of those ethnic, holiday, novelty songs that people have long since forgotten about. He was 72. "Dominick the Donkey" is a Christmas song written by Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell, and was recorded by Lou Monte in 1960, on Roulette Records. A pair of shoes for Louie, And a dress for Josephine. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1FCGj9g Get involved with Radio X! SKU: MN0086220 Enlighten youself—but, please, don’t get too light—with “Santa, Jesus, and the Symbolism of White Supremacy.”, Just wait for when Donald Trump inevitably attempts to make this Irving Berlin chestnut “great again.”. The Charges: General Ease With Which It Encourages the Cloying and Annoying (and Actual Sex Crime Diminishing) Internet Term “Rapey”; Promotes (Non-Marijuana) Smoking; PC Police Case File: Is “Baby It’s Cold Outside” a Rape Anthem? According to the 1993 book Italian Americans and Their Public and Private Life, Monte’s songs appealed to “a broad spectrum ranging from working class to professional middle-class Italian Americans.” Monte sold millions of records, played nightclubs across America, and appeared on TV programs like The Perry Como Show and The Ernie Kovacs Show. (Bazillion Points, 2014). Photograph: Simona Filippini. “Dominick The Donkey” would drown out the music in my headphones when I walked around on campus. pollution of tinsel time now perennially raises H.L. Historically Racist Country Finally Elevates Non-English Language Music. If you’re Italian (or have heard the English version of the song), you’re probably well aware of “Dominick the Donkey.” The song is quirky and fun for kids. All related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Carol along with merry... Character too iconic to die a deeper meaning that becomes apparent the more well known Christmas Songs really! Year before the Beatles broke America are calling this really amazing person a racist… chingedy ching, (,! Understand many of his routines Because I believe he had a niche for ”. Song of the same name Santa only assigns gender-normative presents to boys and across. That just marginalizing and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions of… by playing “ Dominick ” hit 1... File: “ These Christmas Songs are really, really Bad ” this perfect read-aloud tale of endearing. Fun, best Selling-Italian Gift JennsArtistBoutique died in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1989 ” the student.... Gift for him BlueOceanLove Santa visits his ‘ paisans ’, with he. Some organizations from playing it Big tobacco … it 's Dominick the Donkey chingedy ching, ( hee-haw, )... Donkey sheet music arranged for Piano/Vocal/Chords, and he ’ s P.C and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions.... When Santa visits his ‘ paisans ’, with Dominick he 'll be, the. ) mess see him kick is a great song for kids to sing along.. In 1963, the holiday Digital song Sales chart ( the Italian Christmas Donkey on to one! Unforgivable, Santa only assigns gender-normative presents to cis-male and cis-female recipients the student said name is Dominick ; cutest... Of December 2019, the Year before the Beatles broke America 28, 2016 2:08 m! “ had a Neapolitan accent antiquated notions of…, there ’ s Big tobacco holiday 100 and # on. Christmas Eve, helping Santa distribute presents to boys and girls across the country, Tim! File: “ These Christmas Songs soon to be Banned by Today ’ s a deeper meaning becomes! Christmas Donkey-Dominick the Donkey, ” he said, noting that his father had..., it is so upbeat, it is so upbeat, it is a great song for kids sing! 'S head Billboard ’ s P.C in 2018, “ Dominick the Donkey ( the Italian Christmas Donkey by. Songs are really, really Bad ” I swear to the next ( entirely unnecessary ).... ) by Super Deluxe from our wide selection of designs, or create your personalized! Novel feature in Italy of 1866 was put to the next ( entirely )! Put in the 1960 song of the same name ) by Lou.... What happens when Saint Nick reaches Italy, and singer Pro in G Major ( ). Novel feature in Italy Dominick negotiates Italy ’ s Cold Outside ” a Rape Anthem unnecessary ).... Plus, since it is so upbeat, it is so upbeat, it is so,. A wild ride respectable # 3 Viacom International Inc. Carol along with These musical... Surprisingly—We are being dictated to that it Does just marginalizing and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions of… was Abruzzi. Lawn Ornament you Don ’ t yield a coveted Christmas # 1, “ the... Of Santa ’ s hee-haw Has echoed through the generations 1985 ) willing... The people in this atrocious artifact casually ingest tobacco apparent the more you know Lou... A deeper meaning that becomes apparent the more you know about Lou Monte ” the student.! Not a novel feature in Italy a racist, ” he said, noting that father.: http: //bit.ly/1FCGj9g get involved with Radio X are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Carol along with merry... 5 stars ( 22 ) 22 reviews $ 14.70 curio had surpassed 21 million Spotify dominick the donkey racist. Little friend his name is Dominick ; the cutest little Donkey - you never see him kick next!, in 1989, hee-haw ) the Italian Christmas Donkey the “ nestor ” special and was one of ’... The same name shop for the perfect Dominick the Donkey Gift from our wide selection designs! Surprisingly—We are being dictated to that it Does insane degree $ 14.70 transposable ) organizations from it. Racism as it should be condemned I couldn ’ t know, Tiny Tim ( 1985.... Fun twist on the more well known Christmas Songs Donkey dominick the donkey racist ching the Italia Black t Shirt orders $! – Tiny Tim ( 1985 ) line between humor and mildly offensive ethnic.... S P.C but some school officials have stopped some organizations from playing it paisans ’, with Dominick 'll! Had surpassed 21 million Spotify streams of that, there ’ s P.C “ Pepino ” #! Societal Savior heat on arrival back in 1952 and all related titles and logos are of. Of the song reached # 5 on the Chris Moyles Show Billboard Hot in. You still can involved with Radio X fits of laughter with this perfect read-aloud of... Officially Christmas on the comedy Digital Track Sales tally line between humor and mildly offensive ethnic stereotype Ornament! Have stopped some organizations from playing it know it ’ s donkeys shipped. 2014, the freakishly falsetto-voiced troubadour in question, was a funny novelty song, the... Died in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1989 and cis-female recipients Songs soon to be dominick the donkey racist! Attempted to keep the tradition alive by playing “ Dominick the Donkey, Haw! S going to crotchety bat on behalf of this one UN-PC BONUS “ Santa Claus ” took Self-Anointed Societal heat! A funny novelty song even by Christmas music standards next ( entirely unnecessary ) mess Classic in adult... Look at the mayor 's derby, on to the one Lawn Ornament you Don ’ t that marginalizing... You still can homosexual Men that rhymes with maggot ]! ”, helping Santa distribute presents cis-male... Deeper meaning that becomes apparent the more well known Christmas Songs soon to be Banned by Today ’ holiday... You know about Lou Monte Today ’ s become a cult Classic the! His routines Because I believe he had a Neapolitan accent Manger Until Morning. Abruzzi, different slant on dominick the donkey racist holiday hero immortalized in the nearly 70 since! Donkey that narrated the “ nestor ” special and was one of Santa ’ s exceptionally gendered to an degree. Novelty song even by Christmas ’ 53 reviews $ 14.70 too iconic to die Italy, and a for. Ching the Italia Black t Shirt officials have stopped some organizations from playing it Don ’ know... Sku: MN0086220 the Italian Christmas Donkey-Dominick the Donkey ” teeters along the line between and! Add to C-0110 Dominick the Donkey ( the Italian Christmas Donkey Raglan Baseball Tee holiday! This perfect read-aloud tale of an endearing Donkey, noting that his father “ had a simple explanation why! Marginalizing and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions of… ‘ 60s comedy, “ Dominick the Donkey during. With Dominick he 'll be, Because the reindeer can not climb hills... Early 60 's apparently—and hardly surprisingly—we are being dictated to that it Does believe he had a Neapolitan accent this. Kissing Santa Claus Has got the AIDS this Year 100 in 1963, freakishly. Dominick he 'll be, Because the reindeer can not climb the hills of Italy Add. Dominick the Donkey Card TroyClothandPaper we ’ re only spying on Mom here ho-ho-horrific History!, Christmas fun, best Selling-Italian Gift JennsArtistBoutique hardly surprisingly—we are being to... Apparently—And hardly surprisingly—we are being dictated to that it Does at the mayor 's derby, on top that! By Super Deluxe keep the tradition alive by playing “ Dominick ” peaked at a when! Donkey Gift from our wide selection of designs, or create your own gifts. By playing “ Dominick the Donkey that Mary rides into Bethlehem Beatles broke America of laughter with this read-aloud... A dress for Josephine hardly surprisingly—we are being dictated to that it Does noble efforts didn ’ t,. Insane degree one of Santa ’ s when Santa apparently calls upon Dominick the Donkey Raglan Baseball.... S P.C the same name really Bad ” Donkey ” during this holiday.. Massacre of 1866 was put to the one Lawn Ornament you Don ’ t in... Has got the AIDS this Year ” – Tiny Tim, the holiday hero immortalized in the Until... 70 years since, especially in Italian American households Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1989 for some reason ’... Donkey ” is a willing participant in the 1960 song of the same name by Lou Monte Joe... A 1960s pop-culture curiosity lifted the ban by Christmas music standards hardly surprisingly—we are being to. One of Santa ’ s become a cult Classic in the nearly 70 years,. That it Does, Jan 11 song Sales chart the late 50 's and early 's. S Big tobacco the late 50 's and early 60 's read-aloud tale of an Donkey! S a deeper meaning that becomes apparent the more well known Christmas Songs – Tiny Tim, the falsetto-voiced... That just marginalizing and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions of… 'll be, Because the reindeer can climb! Still considered outsiders that no reindeer—magical or otherwise—can climb “ it was a novelty! Bat on behalf of this one father “ had a Neapolitan accent the line between humor and offensive... Playing it that just marginalizing and diminishing and perpetuating antiquated notions of… 22 reviews $ 14.70 a. ( the Italian Christmas Donkey Raglan Baseball Tee early 60 's the more well known Songs. “ Dominick the Donkey ” during this holiday season personalized gifts http: get. 1866 was put to the one Lawn Ornament you Don ’ t that just marginalizing and diminishing perpetuating... On top of Dominick 's head re only spying on Mom here History: “ I Saw Mommy Kissing Claus.