Billy Stewart (March 24, 1937 – January 17, 1970) was an American musical a… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Stewart (March 24, 1937 – January 17, 1970) was an American musical artist, with a highly distinctive scat-singing style, who enjoyed popularity in the early 1960s.

Billy Stewart began singing publicly with his mother's group, the Stewart Gospel Singers, as a teenager. He made the transition to secular music by filling in occasionally for the Rainbows, a D.C. area vocal group led by future soul star Don Covay. It was also through the Rainbows that Stewart met another aspiring singer, a very young Marvin Gaye. Seminal rock and roller Bo Diddley has been credited with discovering Stewart playing piano in Washington, D.C. in 1956 and inviting him to be one of his backup musicians. This led to a recording contract with Bo Diddley's label, Chess Records, and Bo Diddley played guitar on Stewart's 1956 recording of "Billy's Blues". Stewart then moved to Okeh Records and recorded "Billy's Heartache" backed by the Marquees, another D.C. area group which was now featuring Marvin Gaye.

Back at Chess in the early 1960s, Stewart began working with A&R man Billy Davis. He cut a song called "Fat Boy". Showing additional promise with his recordings of "Reap What You Sow" and "Strange Feeling", major chart success was not far away. Stewart hit both the pop and R&B charts big in 1965 with the songs, “I Do Love You” and “Sitting in the Park.” His improvisational technique of doubling-up, scatting his words and trilling his lips made his style unique in the 1960s.

In 1966, wishing to appeal to a wider audience, Stewart recorded the LP "Billy Stewart Teaches Old Standards New Tricks" in 1966. The first single released from that album was Billy's radical stand-out interpretation of the George Gershwin classic "Summertime", a top ten hit on both the pop and R&B charts in 1966. The follow-up single was Billy's remake of the Doris Day hit "Secret Love", which just missed the top ten on the R&B chart.

While Stewart continued to record throughout the remainder of the 1960s, his weight problem worsened and he developed diabetes. He also suffered minor injuries in a motorcycle accident in 1969. His life was tragically cut short on January 17, 1970, just 2 months prior to his 33rd birthday, when the car he was driving plunged into the Neuse River in North Carolina, killing him and three members of his band.

Billy Stewart was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association Hall of Fame in 1982.

My Funny Valentine
Billy Stewart Lyrics

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Behold the way our fine feathered friend
His virtue doth parade
Thou knowest not, my dim-witted friend
The picture thou hast made
Thy vacant brow, and thy tousled hair
Conceal thy good intent
Thou noble upright truthful sincere
And slightly dopey gent, you are

My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
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
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

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Billy Stewart's "My Funny Valentine" describe a person who is not conventionally attractive, but is nevertheless beloved by the singer. The comparison to a "fine feathered friend" suggests that the person is somewhat odd or quirky, but still worthy of admiration. The singer talks directly to this person, calling them a "slightly dopey gent," and reassuring them that they are loved just the way they are. The phrase "my funny valentine" is a term of endearment that acknowledges the person's unconventional qualities.

The song's chorus further expands on the singer's love for this person. The line "you make me smile with my heart" suggests that the person's quirks and personality traits are what bring joy to the singer, rather than their physical appearance. The juxtaposition of "laughable" and "favorite work of art" also reinforces the idea that the singer finds beauty in the person's unique qualities.

Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is a song about unconditional love that transcends traditional standards of attractiveness. It celebrates the beauty and value of individuality, and the power of love to transform the way we see the people around us.

Line by Line Meaning

Behold the way our fine feathered friend
Look at the way that our bird friend shows off his good qualities

His virtue doth parade
He is showing off his virtues

Thou knowest not, my dim-witted friend
My friend, you do not understand

The picture thou hast made
You do not realize the impression you give to others

Thy vacant brow, and thy tousled hair
Your empty expression and messy hair

Conceal thy good intent
Hide your true, good intentions

Thou noble upright truthful sincere
You are a noble, honest, and sincere person

And slightly dopey gent, you are
But, you are also slightly foolish

My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
My dear, charming, and amusing valentine

You make me smile with my heart
You bring joy to my heart

Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Your appearance is comical and cannot be captured in a photograph