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Personality
Johnny Mercer Lyrics


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When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
Said all the gentlemen, "Obviously"
"The madam has the cutest personality"

And think of all the books about do Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paree?
She had a well-developed personality

(What did Romeo see in Juliet?)
(Or Figaro in Figarette?)
(Or Jupiter in Juno?)
You know

And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
No doubt it must have been easy to see
That she knew how to use her personality

(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
(Unless she's got a perfect personality)

(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
(Or even just a bit bowed at the knee)
(If she can show a faultless personality)

Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings?
By men who wear their spats right?
(That's right)

(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart")
(Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be")
Just tell me how you like my
Ruff

(Personality)

Baby, you've got the cutest
Personality

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Mercer’s song Personality celebrate the importance of a woman’s personality above all other physical attributes. The song starts by mentioning Madam Pompadour, a famous French courtesan who was the mistress of Louis XV. When Madam Pompadour was at a ballroom, all the gentlemen present were in awe of her; not primarily for her physical attractiveness, but for her charming and engaging personality. The song then asks listeners to ponder over historical figures from Romeo to Juliet and Jupiter to Juno. The song points out that what made these pairs click was the unique personalities that each of them possessed. The song then mentions Salome, a character from the New Testament, who danced and captivated the audience. The song suggests that she was so entrancing because she knew how to use her personality to maximum effect.


The second half of the song gives examples of how women with impressive personalities can achieve great things in life irrespective of their physical appearances. For instance, a woman can learn to spell and take dictation well, and yet get nowhere in life without a perfect personality. Whereas, another woman with stringy hair or bowed knees can still achieve great success only if they have a pleasing and charming personality. The song then encourages women to strive to improve their personalities, which can lead to winning the affections of wealthy suitors who will offer them luxuries like sable coats and wedding rings. The song concludes by reiterating that personality is the most important attribute a woman can have.


Line by Line Meaning

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
When Madam Pompadour was dancing in the ballroom


Said all the gentlemen, "Obviously"
All the gentlemen said, "obviously"


"The madam has the cutest personality"
They said, "The madam has the cutest personality"


And think of all the books about do Barry's looks
Think of all the books about Du Barry's looks


What was it made her the toast of Paree?
What made her the talk of Paree?


She had a well-developed personality
She had a well-developed personality


(What did Romeo see in Juliet?)
What did Romeo see in Juliet?


(Or Figaro in Figarette?)
Or Figaro in Figarette?


(Or Jupiter in Juno?)
Or Jupiter in Juno?


You know
You know


And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced


No doubt it must have been easy to see
It must have been easy to see


That she knew how to use her personality
That she knew how to use her personality


(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well


(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
And never sit on the boss's left knee


(Unless she's got a perfect personality)
Unless she's got a perfect personality


(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
A girl can still become successful in spite of stringy hair


(Or even just a bit bowed at the knee)
Or even just a bit bowed at the knee


(If she can show a faultless personality)
If she can show a faultless personality


Why are certain girls offered certain things
Why are certain girls offered certain things?


Like sable coats and wedding rings?
Like sable coats and wedding rings?


By men who wear their spats right?
By men who wear their spats right?


(That's right)
That's right


(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart")
So don't say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart"


(Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be")
Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be"


Just tell me how you like my
Just tell me how you like my


Personality
Personality


Baby, you've got the cutest
Baby, you've got the cutest


Personality
Personality




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@sfClaudio

Lyrics
Personality - Johnny Mercer

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
Said all the gentlemen obviously

The madam has the cutest
personality

And think of all the books about Du Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paris?

She had a well-developed
personality

What did Romeo see in Juliet?
Or Pierrot in Pierrette?
Or Jupiter in Juno?
You know

And when Salome danced
And had the boys entranced, no doubt
It must have been easy to see

That she knew how to use her
personality


A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well
And never sit on the boss's settee

Unless she's got a perfect
personality

A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair
Or even just a bit bowed at the knees

If she can show a faultless
personality

Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings?
By men who wear their spats right?

That's right!

So don'tcha say: I'm smart and have the kindest heart
Or: What a wonderful sister I'd be

Just tell me, how you like my
personality!

Baby, you've got the cutest
personality



@jesusdeputy931

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
Said all the gentlemen, "Obviously"
"The madam has the cutest personality"
And think of all the books about do Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paree?
She had a well-developed personality
You know
And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
No doubt it must have been easy to see
That she knew how to use her personality
Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings?
By men who wear their spats right?
(That's right)
Just tell me how you like my
Ruff
Baby, you've got the cutest
Personality



@googleforcedhandle

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor Said all the gentlemen "Obviously ",
"The madam has the cutest personality"

And think of all the books about Du Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paree
She had a well-developed
Personality

(What did Romeo see in Juliet )?
(Or Figaro in Figarette )?
(Or Jupiter in Juno )?
You know!

And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
No doubt it must have been easy to see
That she knew how to use her personality

(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
(Unless she's got a perfect personality)

(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
(Or even just a bit bowed at the knees)
(If she can show a faultless personality)

Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings
By men who wear their spats right
(That's right )!

(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart"
(Or "what a wonderful sister I'd be")
Just tell me how you like my
"Rufff Br! personality!

Baby you've, got the cutest

Personality!



All comments from YouTube:

@thomasromeo8007

my grandfather used to whistle!hum this song very often. he died four months ago and I bought fallout 4 2months after his death, imagine my surprise when I heard that song first.

@Minecraftgamer-cy7wv

Fah reineit your peepaw be talking you you Fah

@FrostByteFilms

@@Minecraftgamer-cy7wv at least he has one

@iaminyourwalls2211

f

@masongallthesqueakquel2460

He probably had a well developed personality

@nothingnothing2886

Aww sorry for ur loss

56 More Replies...

@Kaustich

Thank you fallout 4 I'm addicted to songs from the 50's and 40's

@iamnumfive

My mom grew up during this era. The 30s and 40s were pretty hard times with the Depression and then WW2 really taking it's toll on people. There were few things that could perk them up and the music was one of them. Even though my mom and I didn't get along, I am still glad she turned me on to the music at that time. She also turned me on to classical music as well.

@ren6726

Indeed. 40's and 50's will always be in my heart.

@intestinalworm1202

Played the game with my son - he/we went through a period where we couldn't get many of the songs out of our heads! Great big band sounds, great singers, great lyrics!

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