My Funny Valentine
Dinah Shore & André Previn 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

In Dinah Shore's My Happy Valentine, the song is about a person who has an unconventional beauty that is not typically found in conventional beauty standards. The song speaks directly to this person, a slightly dopey gent, and praises their virtues in a way that is endearing and sweet. The lyrics praise the unphotographable looks of this person and proclaim that they are the favorite work of art. The lyrics are a testament to the idea that true beauty exists within a person's character rather than their physical appearance.

The use of contrasts in the lyrics, such as "thou noble upright truthful sincere" paired with "slightly dopey gent," creates a unique beauty that is unconventional but charming. The lyrics go on to question if this person's figure is less than Greek or if their mouth is a little weak, but ultimately proclaims that they should not change a hair for the singer if they care for them. The song ends with the message that each day can be a Valentine's Day when you have someone like this in your life.

Line by Line Meaning

Behold the way our fine feathered friend
Look at the way this bird shows off its feathers, it's showing off its best qualities

His virtue doth parade
The bird is celebrating its good qualities

Thou knowest not, my dim-witted friend
You don't realise, my friend who lacks intelligence

The picture thou hast made
You don't realise how you come across

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

Conceal thy good intent
Hides your true intentions

Thou noble upright truthful sincere
You are a person of integrity and sincerity

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

My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
You are my humorous and sweet lover

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

Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Your physical appearance is amusing but difficult to capture in a photograph