The inspiration and origin of Italian American music can be traced to four sources:

1. The Neapolitan song—typically a ballad sung in the Neapolitan dialect and heard throughout the world.

2. Opera—also prominent, especially its arias. Unlike the Neapolitan song, Opera was sung in standard Italian, overarching regional dialects.

3. Regional music—brought back by the immigrants—typically ballads sung in local dialects.

4. American music—assimilated by the Italian Americans.