SICILIANS - Many became fisherman, fish sellers, farmers, or produce sellers.
Sicilians built the Banana * Lemon trade in New York City.
NEAPOLITANS living more in cities, became Barbers, Construction Workers,
Tailors, Shoemakers. Neapolitan stone masons built the subways and bridges across North Eastern America. Neapolitan tailors opened shops. Neapolitan pizzaiolo opened pizzerias and created the pizza business of America.
All Italians, whether Sicilian or Neapolitan were Catholic.
SICILIANS versus NEAPOLITANS in AMERICA
Italian Americans of Sicilian and Neapolitan descent represent the two largest regional groups that shaped the Italian diaspora in the United States between 1880 and 1920. Both originate from Southern Italy, but they possess fiercely distinct cultural identities, dialects, and traditions (a concept known as campanilismo).[1,2,3,4]
Key Cultural & Historical Differences
Origins & Ancestry: Sicilians come from the Mediterranean's largest island, which was historically conquered by the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans. Neapolitans come from the bustling, mainland coastal city of Naples and the surrounding Campania region, which was dominated by Spanish and French rules. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Languages: Sicilian (siculu) and Neapolitan (napulitano) are recognized as distinct regional languages rather than mere dialects of standard Italian. They have entirely different vocabularies, pronunciations, and historical roots. [1, 2, 3]
Cuisine: The culinary staples differ significantly based on local agriculture. Neapolitan food is famous for its tomato-heavy dishes, mozzarella, and as the birthplace of pizza. Sicilian cuisine relies heavily on eggplants, citrus, ricotta, seafood, and Arabic-influenced ingredients (like pine nuts and raisins). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Italian American Experience
When these groups immigrated, "Italy" as a unified country was relatively new (unified in 1861). In the United States, immigrants did not identify as "Italian"; rather, they identified as Napolitani or Siciliani. Little Italy neighborhoods in New York (like Mulberry Street in Manhattan or Bensonhurst in Brooklyn) were initially segregated block by block based on these hometowns. Over generations in America, these distinct cultures blended to form the broader Italian American identity, though many families still proudly trace their specific regional heritage.
Do you know Sinatra? We're not talking about the man and his personal life here. No we're talking about the music. The music of Frank Sinatra? Sure, if you're a fan, you know My Way, Strangers in The Night, New York New York, That's Life, and The Summer Wind. You know the hits, and some others, but do you know Sinatra greatest most beautiful music of all? Maybe yes/ Maybe not?
Frank Sinatra recorded more than 1,200 songs during his 54 year career, and in all likelihood you haven't heard them all. Most of us haven't, even myself who I feel that I know more than most, when it comes to the music, and the recordings of of one Francis Albert Sinatra, The Greatest Singer of The 20th Century, and beyond. Beyond? Yes beyond, for as of now in 2026, a quarter century into the 21st Century, the music of Frank Sinatra who passed away almost 40 years ago, his music is hugely relevant, and 100 of millions of him, and of some of his music.
Yes, some know a bit of Mr. Sinatra's music, maybe a couple handfuls of hits, and that's about it? Others, who consider themselves fans, they know more. And those who feel they are more of a super fan, and think they know quite a lot of the mans music, but maybe not. There are all different degrees of what one might know. I myself, who has loved the music of Frank Sinatra for just about 60 years now, I've seen Sinatra perform live 7 times, and have about 40 of the mans albums, and I consider myself a sort of Super Fan as they say, and feel I know a good bit about the man and his music. But even I who in all likelihood knows more than probably 9o or 95% of his fans, I'm still learning more. All of a sudden on any given day, I might hear a Sinatra recording that I've never heard before. Yes, once in a while but not that often.
Anyway, speaking of the people who believe they are great fans, and feel they know his music, I'm afraid many may not know Frank Sinatra's "Best Stuff." I'm talking about Sinatra's greatest of all "Love Songs." Songs like : All My Tomorrows, You & Me, You Will Be My Music, Let Me Try Again, and a few others. These songs are Mr. Sinatra's most beautiful, loving, and passionate songs. Sung with the most real feeling that only Sinatra could convey. So poignant and beautiful, they (Sinatra Love Songs) can make you cry. "I have." Yes I have, listening to Frank Sinatra sing a song like "All My Tomorrows," and I think of a great love, and how I had yearned to love her, as Sinatra states in the song, I can get all choked up, and on the verge of crying. I'm not ashamed to admit. This is what a great singer Frank Sinatra was. His music conveyed such genuine feelings. Feelings of love, lost love, heart ache, and bittersweet romance, that when listening to one of these songs, you feel it too, and it brings out strong emotions. Strong enough to choke you up, and perhaps shed a tear.
If you haven't heard these songs, and you say you're a great fan of Sinatra. Now is the time. You absolutely must listen and become aware of these beautiful Love Songs. The Greatest Sinatra songs of all. They're listed below.
PS .. Yes, we were talking about Frank Sinatra, and how beautifully he sang. And the complete package of these beautiful love songs, were Sinatra singing over beautifully compose music, beautifully executed by the most wonderful orchestras, which Sinatra demanded, whether recording, or playing live, Frank Sinatra was always backed by the World Best Musicians and orchestras, that's what completed these wonderful packages - beautiful lyrics & music, sung by Sinatra, backed by the most perfect bands.
Basta !!!
Daniel Bellino Zwicke
May 17, 2026
The LOVE SONGS of FRANK SINATRA
Frank Sinatra
LIVE
Frank Sinatra
YOU & ME "We Wanted it All"
From the TRILOGY Album
1980
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"All My Tomorrows" is a 1959 ballad with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen .The song was expressly written as a Frank Sinatra vehicle. It was introduced in the film A Hole in the Head where Sinatra sings it in the opening credits.
Sinatra later featured "All My Tomorrows" on his 1961 album All the Way. Sinatra re-recorded it for his 1969 album MY WAY, in a new arrangement which Charles L. Granata considers to be superior to the original, and which AllMusic calls "lush and aching".Rolling Stone describes the song as "the poignant monologue of a man determined to turn his life around".
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"ALL MY TOMORROWS"
Francis Albert Sinatra
"All My Tomorrow Belong to You"
Listen to The Master at Work. Francis Albert Sinatra, the greatest singer of the 20th Century.
There is no one in the 21st Century, a Century of Crappy Music and Crappy Musicians (so-called) to campare to the great Frank Sinatra, not only the greatest singer of The 20th Century, but one of
the greatest singers of all-time. Listen to Sinatra sing this beautiful song written for him by the
great songwriters Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.
Sinatra's voice was in impeccable instrument, which hi conveys most masterfully in this wonderful song. And the musical composition and arrangement of the song is stunning, with lovely Violins, Flute, Harp, and an expert orchestra, made up of top-notch professional musicians. Listen, savor the music, and enjoy one the greats, Mr Francis Albert Sinatra. It doesn't get any better than this. We're sure you'll agree.
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is a native New York Italian-American author and chef known for his best-selling Italian cookbooks. He celebrates the life, music, and favorite Italian recipes of Frank Sinatra, notably in his book Sinatra Sauce: Music, Meatballs & Merriment.
Daniel Bellino’s writing captures the spirit of classic New York-Italian culture, Greenwich Village, and old-school restaurants (like Gino’s on Lexington Avenue). He focuses heavily on heritage, family-style "Sunday Dinners," and the traditional recipes associated with Frank Sinatra.
You can check out his books and recipes directly on.