Buzz
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a universal favorite, thanks to his underdog charm and his crucial role in guiding Santa’s sleigh through thick fog. But what occurs when Santa arrives in Italy and encounters steep hills that even the most magical reindeer can’t navigate?
Enter Dominick the Donkey, the festive savior celebrated in the 1960 song by Lou Monte. “Dominick The Donkey” is a quirky holiday anthem that stands out even among novelty Christmas tunes. The track kicks off with Monte—or perhaps a genuine donkey—belting out “hee-haw, hee-haw” accompanied by the cheerful jingle of sleigh bells. Within just 12 seconds, it’s evident that this song is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Who exactly is Dominick the Donkey?
For the next two and a half minutes, Monte reveals amusing details about Dominick: He’s a gentle donkey who never kicks but adores dancing. When Dominick starts swaying his tail, the elders—cummares and cumpares, or godmothers and godfathers—join in and “dance a tarentell,” a nod to la tarantella, a classic Italian folk dance. Most notably, Dominick tackles Italy’s steep hills on Christmas Eve, ensuring Santa delivers gifts to children nationwide.
And these aren’t just any gifts: Dominick brings shoes and dresses “made in Brook-a-lyn,” which Monte cleverly rhymes with “Josephine.” While carrying out his duties, Dominick sports the mayor’s derby hat, because style matters. The whimsical tale is amplified by the recurring “hee-haw, hee-haw,” which interrupts every 30 seconds like a persistent, squeaky reminder.
There might be a hint of historical truth behind “Dominick.”
“Donkeys were a common mode of transportation in southern Italy, much like in Greece,” Dominic DiFrisco, former president of the joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, mentioned in a
Though rumored to have been funded by the Gambino crime family, “Dominick the Donkey” didn’t crack the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. However, it has since become a beloved cult classic, particularly in Italian American communities. In 2014, the song climbed to #69 on Billboard’s Holiday 100 and #23 on the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart. By 2018, “Dominick” topped the Comedy Digital Track Sales chart. As of December 2024, this holiday oddity has amassed over 56 million Spotify streams.
In 2011, “Dominick the Donkey” gained global attention when BBC DJ Chris Moyles initiated a campaign to propel the song onto the UK singles chart. “If we leave Britain one legacy, it would be ensuring kids hear 'Dominick the Donkey’ every Christmas,” Moyles remarked. Although his efforts didn’t secure the Christmas #1 spot, the song achieved an impressive #3 position.
What makes “Dominick the Donkey” so appealing to listeners?
Like many holiday tunes, “Dominick the Donkey” carries a quirky, ironic charm. Many fans appreciate the song because, in part, they’re astonished it even exists. However, a deeper significance emerges when you delve into Lou Monte’s background.
Lou Monte, born Luigi Scaglione in New York City, started his career as a singer and comedian just before serving in World War II. Based in New Jersey, he later earned titles like “The Godfather of Italian Humor” and “The King of Italian-American Music.” He was renowned for Italian-themed novelty tracks such as “Pepino the Italian Mouse,” his sole Top 10 hit, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, a year before The Beatles took America by storm.
“Pepino” was written by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell, who collaborated with Sam Saltzberg to create “Dominick the Donkey.” This trio also penned “What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed the Delaware),” the B-side of “Pepino.” In that track, George Washington exclaims, “Fa un’fridd,” meaning ‘It’s cold!’ during his iconic 1776 river crossing.
Not Dominick. | Buena Vista Images/GettyImagesBy blending English and Italian dialect, Monte crafted inside jokes for Italian Americans while introducing their culture to a broader audience. His humorous takes on American history, like “What Did Washington Say,” “Paul Revere’s Horse (Ba-cha-ca-loop),” and “Please, Mr. Columbus,” added an Italian twist to the nation’s founding tales. This was particularly meaningful during an era when Italians were often seen as outsiders.
As noted in the 1993 book Italian Americans and Their Public and Private Life, Monte’s music resonated with “a wide range of Italian Americans, from the working class to the professional middle class.” Monte achieved millions in record sales, performed in nightclubs nationwide, and made appearances on TV shows such as The Perry Como Show and The Ernie Kovacs Show. He passed away in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1989 at the age of 72.
Monte’s legacy endures through Dominick, a character too memorable to fade away. In 2016, author Shirley Alarie published A New Home for Dominick and A New Family for Dominick, a children’s book series centered on the beloved donkey. In 2018, New Jersey native Joe Baccan released “Dominooch,” a follow-up to “Dominick,” which narrates how Dominick’s son steps into his father’s hoofprints. Notably, “Dominooch” was composed by Nancy Triggiani, who collaborated with Monte’s son, Ray, at her recording studio.
In a 2016 interview with NorthJersey.com, Ray Monte offered a straightforward reason for the enduring popularity of Dominick’s hee-haw. “It was a humorous novelty track,” he explained, adding that his father “had a knack for creating novelty songs.”
