Vic Damone Quotes, born Vito Rocco Farinola on June 12, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, and passed away on February 11, 2018, was an American traditional pop and big band singer whose smooth, romantic baritone captivated audiences for over five decades. Known for hits like “You’re Breaking My Heart,” “On the Street Where You Live,” and “I Have But One Heart,” he sold millions of records and performed in films like Rich, Young and Pretty (1951) and Kismet (1955).
Discovered after singing for Perry Como in an elevator at the Paramount Theater, Damone’s career spanned radio, TV, and Las Vegas stages, earning praise from Frank Sinatra, who said he had “the best pipes in the business.” Despite personal challenges, including multiple divorces and a 2000 stroke, his resilience and humility shone through.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his songs, interviews, autobiography Singing Was the Easy Part (2009), and film roles—reflect his insights on music, love, life, and authenticity, capturing his enduring charm and legacy.
15 Vic Damone Quotes
- “[On his autobiography] I don’t want to write a book that’s going to hurt anybody. I don’t operate like that. I’ll tell you things in my life, but we were not out to hurt anybody. Not even ex-wives.” (The Arizona Republic, June 7, 2009)
- “Close your eyes, rest your head on my shoulder and sleep, close your eyes, and I will close mine.” (Song, “Close Your Eyes,” Linger Awhile with Vic Damone/My Baby Loves to Swing, 1997)
- “Singing was the easy part—life, with all its twists, was the real challenge.” (Singing Was the Easy Part, 2009)
- “You’re breaking my heart, ‘cause you’re leaving, you’ve fallen for somebody new.” (Song, “You’re Breaking My Heart,” 1949)
- “I tried to mimic [Frank Sinatra]. I decided that if I could sound like Frank, maybe I did have a chance.” (Interview, Newsday, 1992)
- “On the street where you live, I have often walked, and now my heart’s at your door.” (Song, “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady, 1956)
- “I never thought I’d make it this far. I was just a kid from Brooklyn who loved to sing.” (Interview, The New York Times, 2018)
- “I have but one heart, this heart I bring you, I have but one heart to share with you.” (Song, “I Have But One Heart,” 1947)
- “The audience is what kept me going—their love for the music was my fuel.” (Interview, Billboard, 2001)
- “The Poet: May your taxes increase! [Said as a beggar to trick merchants into giving alms]” (Kismet, 1955)
- “I learned early on that you’ve got to stay true to your voice, no matter what the trends are.” (Singing Was the Easy Part, 2009)
- “My bolero, my song of love, it calls to you beneath the stars above.” (Song, “My Bolero,” 1949)
- “Life’s like a song—you’ve got to keep singing, even when the notes get tough.” (Interview, Los Angeles Times, 2018)
- “The Poet: Princes come, princes go, an hour of pomp and show, over the sands of time they go.” (Song, Kismet, 1955)
- “Perry Como gave me my start, but it was the fans who kept me going all those years.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2018)
Vic Damone’s quotes are a soulful blend of romantic lyricism, humility, and perseverance, inspiring fans to cherish love and stay true to their passions. Which one strikes a chord with you? Drop it in the comments and keep his crooner legacy alive!