A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody
Al Jolson & Bing Crosby Lyrics
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I like a pretty girl-ie, with each pretty tune that's played.
They go together, like sunny weather goes with the month of May.
I've studied girls and music, so I'm qualified to say
A pretty girl is like a melody that haunts you night and day,
Just like the strain of a haunting refrain,
She'll start up on a marathon and run a-round your brain.
She will leave you and then come back a-gain,
A pretty girl is just like a pretty tune.
The song A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody, written by Irving Berlin and popularized by Al Jolson, is a celebration of the harmonious qualities of a beautiful woman and a musical melody. The opening lines suggest that the singer has an expert ability to recognize musical talent as well as attractive women, and he favors those who possess both qualities. He draws a comparison between a pretty girl and a melody that lingers in your mind long after it has stopped playing. Just as a haunting refrain can become stuck in one's head, a pretty girl can have a similar effect, occupying one's memory throughout the day and night. It is said that the singer has studied music and women in-depth, thereby immersing himself in the subject matter that he speaks so confidently about.
The chorus declares that a pretty girl is like a melody, and the melody-like qualities of a beautiful woman are established through clever lyrics and a catchy tune. The metaphor used throughout the song is effective in highlighting the simple beauty of a woman and the emotional connection that music can create. The lyrics describe the way in which a pretty melody can be unforgettable and take root in a person's mind, just like the image of a pretty girl. They provide a common ground for the two subjects, suggesting that melody and beauty are not just similar but complementary aspects of existence. The song is an ode to the power of music and the alluring qualities of female beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
I have an ear for music, and I have an eye for a maid.
I am skilled at recognizing good music and also have an eye for beautiful women.
I like a pretty girl-ie, with each pretty tune that's played.
I find that a beautiful woman complements a beautiful melody very well.
They go together, like sunny weather goes with the month of May.
These two things are naturally paired, like the weather in May being sunny.
I've studied girls and music, so I'm qualified to say
I have thoroughly observed and analyzed the relationship between pretty girls and music, so I am qualified to make my statement.
A pretty girl is like a melody that haunts you night and day,
A beautiful woman is like a melody that stays in your mind constantly.
Just like the strain of a haunting refrain,
Similar to how a melody repeatedly lingers in your head after you hear it, a pretty girl's image does the same.
She'll start up on a marathon and run a-round your brain.
Like a catchy melody repeating in your thoughts, thoughts of a pretty girl will never cease and continuously circle your mind.
You can't escape she's in your memory, by morning, night and noon.
Like an earworm of a melody, thoughts of a pretty girl are in your mind all the time and cannot be forgotten.
She will leave you and then come back a-gain,
Thoughts of a pretty girl may come and go, but they will inevitably return.
A pretty girl is just like a pretty tune.
Overall, the beauty and allure of a woman is similar to the beauty and attraction of a melody.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind