In 1944 popular touring bandleader Buddy Johnson found Prysock in Hartford Connecticut and signed him as a vocalist. Prysock became a mainstay of the live big band performance circuit, singing on several of Buddy Johnson’s hits on Decca Records ("Jet My Love", 1947 and "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone", 1948) and later on Mercury Records ("Because", 1950). Other signature tracks that Prysock recorded for Buddy Johnson's Orchestra between 1944 and 1952 included “They All Say I’m the Biggest Fool,” and “At Last.”
He went solo in the early 1950's, and had an R&B hit with "I Didn't Sleep a Wink Last Night," and was oft found performing on the road with his saxophonist brother Red Prysock. Tracks like "I Worry 'Bout You" in 1958, "The Very Thought of You" in 1960, and 1965's "It's Too Late Baby, It's Too Late" were hits on the Old Town label. Old Town, became his home through much of the late 50's & early 60's and again through the 70's after a brief late 60's stint with Verve.
With his concert popularity building, Verve picked him up, and paired him with Count Basie for an album in 1965, and after years of one-nighters on the Chitlin circuit, he finally performed at Carnegie Hall in 1966. Many productions from the 60's & 70's place Prysock in baths of syrupy strings & over orchestrated arrangements that have woefully buried his voice. He remains largely under appreciated as an 'easy listening' artist by modern audiences, with the Verve Music Group not even bothering to provide a bio on their website, despite selling his recordings.
In the 70s, he kept recording for Old Town, and had smatterings of success like the circa '73 Northern Soul In The Rain fave and a surprise disco hit with "When Love Is New". By 1980 "I'm Never Gonna Let You Go" was recorded for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label . In 1985, recorded his first new album in almost a decade,signing with Milestone Records in 1986. He continued recording jazz ballads & blues for Milestone, accompanied by his brother Red Prysock. His Milestone recordings were considered comebacks and “A Rockin’ Good Way,” (’85) and its follow up, “This Guy’s in Love with You,” (’86) rekindled his career, and he received 2 Grammy nomination for his latter career efforts, one a duet with Betty Joplin. His last studio effort was released in 1987, and a collection of his Milestone Recordings was re-issued in 2000 via the Concord Music Group. Prysock received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1995 and passed away in 1997 after suffering an aneurysm at age 73 in Bermuda where he had a retirement residence.
My Funny Valentine
Arthur Prysock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Yet, you're my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak
But, don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But, don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
The classic song "My Funny Valentine" is a melancholy ode to the imperfections of a loved one. Arthur Prysock's interpretation of the song adds a more mature and soulful touch than the other popular versions of the song. The lyrics sing about an unconventional beauty that is not necessarily found in the conventional aspects of perfection. The song begins with the lyrics, "My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine. You make me smile with my heart." There is a sense of fondness and endearment implied in these lines. The singer is speaking about his beloved in affectionate terms, even though he admits that their beauty is nonconforming, and even 'laughable.'
The next line of the song describes the looks of the singer's partner as "laughable and unphotographable." The singer seems to admire this unconventional beauty and views it as a unique trait that sets their lover apart from others. He sees them as a favorite work of art, which is a unique and creative way of expressing his attitude towards his love affair. For him or her, the lowness of beauty is transcended. The following verses raise questions about the partner's self-esteem and intelligence, expressing concern for classical beauty standards. Yet, the message of the song is clear; he or she loves the "funny Valentine," and wants them to know that they don't need to change for him. The singer encourages the person he loves to stay just the way they are because they are perfect as they are, without any need for change.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
You, my beloved, are not just a sweetheart, but also a funny, humorous and entertaining companion.
You make me smile with my heart
Your presence alone brings joy and happiness to my heart.
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Although your appearance is uncommon and not conventionally attractive, it's uniquely charming and captivating that no photograph can fully capture it.
Yet, you're my favorite work of art
Despite any standards of beauty or imperfection, you are my most favorite and cherished masterpiece.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your body shape not perfect and ideal like those depicted in ancient Greek sculptures?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Is your speech not eloquent or powerful enough, or your expression not assertive or confident enough?
When you open it to speak
When you are about to voice out your thoughts or feelings.
Are you smart?
Are you intelligent, insightful, and wise?
But, don't change a hair for me
I love and accept you just the way you are, without any alteration or improvement.
Not if you care for me
I don't want you to change anything about yourself just to please me, unless you want to willingly for your own sake.
Stay little valentine, stay
Remain with me always, my dear valentine.
Each day is Valentine's Day
Every day that I'm with you feels like a day of love, appreciation and celebration.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brenda Joyce Cammon
on I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
Beautiful song.