I Feel Pretty
Dave Brubeck Lyrics


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I feel pretty
Oh, so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight

I feel charming
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real

See the pretty girl in that mirror there
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile
Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!

Have you met my good friend Maria
The craziest girl on the block?
You'll know her the minute you see her
She's the one who is in an advanced state of shock

She thinks she's in love
She thinks she's in Spain
She isn't in love
She's merely insane

It must be the heat
Or some rare disease
Or too much to eat
Or maybe it's fleas

Keep away from her
Send for Chino!
This is not the
Maria we know!

Modest and pure
Polite and refined
Well-bred and mature
And out of her mind!

I feel pretty
Oh, so pretty
That the city should give me its key
A committee
Should be organized to honor me

La la la la

I feel dizzy
I feel sunny
I feel fizzy and funny and fine
And so pretty
Miss America can just resign!

La la la la

See the pretty girl in that mirror there

What mirror where?

Who can that attractive girl be?

Which? What? Where? Whom?

Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile
Such a pretty me!

Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy




For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!

Overall Meaning

The song "I Feel Pretty" is from the 1957 musical "West Side Story," with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is sung by the character Maria, played by Carol Lawrence, who is getting ready for a dance with her friends. The song reflects the character’s newfound confidence and joy as she imagines herself as a beautiful and desirable girl.


The lyrics of the song are filled with metaphors and imagery that convey Maria's joyful perception of herself. She describes herself as charming, pretty, witty, and bright, and pities any girl who isn't her tonight. Maria also sees herself as stunning, entrancing, and physically attractive, which she attributes to her love for a wonderful boy.


The song also features a subplot involving Maria's friend, the "crazy" girl named Consuelo, who is not in love but thinks she is. Maria tries to keep her away from the dance and calls for help to send her away. It showcases the cultural divide and the challenging lives the characters lead.


Overall, "I Feel Pretty" is a lighthearted and optimistic song that represents the hopes and dreams of its characters.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel pretty
I feel beautiful


Oh, so pretty
Extremely beautiful


I feel pretty and witty and bright!
I feel beautiful, smart and cheerful


And I pity Any girl who isn't me tonight
I feel sorry for anyone who isn't as beautiful as I am tonight


I feel charming Oh, so charming
I feel lovely, charming and attractive


It's alarming how charming I feel!
I am surprised by how charming I feel


And so pretty That I hardly can believe I'm real
I feel so attractive that it's hard to believe I exist


See the pretty girl in that mirror there Who can that attractive girl be? Such a pretty face Such a pretty dress Such a pretty smile Such a pretty me!
Looking at myself in the mirror, I see a beautiful girl with a pretty face, dress, and smile


I feel stunning And entrancing Feel like running and dancing for joy For I'm loved By a pretty wonderful boy!
I feel extremely attractive and confident, and I want to celebrate because I am loved by an amazing boy




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@01warmus

One of my fave Brubeck solos, he sets up everything for that beautifully simple riff at 3:50, and a simple lick magically starts to sound the like the coolest thing ever

@Tubalaska

This is by far my favourite jazz piano solo. The seamless transitions between a 2 and 3 feel are simply wonderful. Thank you Dave Brubeck.

@ChrisWhite-ej9dk

The most beautiful Alto player in history who could also swing I fell hopelessly in love with his playing from around age 9 I'm 69 now and only Stan Getz comes anywhere near Chris White in Leeds

@bennyjazzful

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
God that silky sax & the other geniuses-----BLOODY AMAZING.
This must be the best Jazz quartet of the modern era???????

@raulrichards412

Magnificent.♫♪ ♫.♫ Thanks Dave Brubeck Quartet.( The Best) Gracias, from Brooklyn, New York.<> Friday, June 11th.,2021♥

@Benneh1982

The best of all times

@deb6sbcglobal

This is delightful!

@jyonno

Heaven!!    (I Hope)

@fromthesidelines

Recorded on February 14, 1960.

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