The English singer David Whitfield first recorded the song with the Mantovani Orchestra in 1954.

[2] Whitfield's version was one of the biggest selling British records in the pre-rock days.

[2] It sold more than three and a half million copies worldwide and was a Top 10 hit in America.

[2] Authorship of the song was credited to Tulio Trapani (the pen name of the song's co-writer and arranger Mantovani) and Lee Lange (Bunny Lewis, Whitfield's producer).

[2] Jay and the Americans recorded "Cara Mia" on their 1965 LP Blockbusters.