Funny Face
Ella Fitzgerald/Nelson Riddle's Orchestra Lyrics


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Frankie, dear, your birthday gift reveals to me
That at heart you're really not so bad.
If I add, why our funny face appeals to me.
Please don't think I've suddenly gone mad.
You have all the qualities of Peter Pan,
I'd go far before I'd find a sweeter pan
And yet
I love your funny face,
Your sunny, funny face,
For you're a cutie
With more than beauty
You've got a lot
Of personality N.T.
A thousand laughs I've found
In having you around.
Through you're not Gloria Swanson,
For worlds I'd not replace
Your sunny, funny face.

Needn't tell me that I'm not so pretty, dear,
When my looking glass and I agree,
In the contest at Atlantic City, dear,
Miss America I'd never be,
Truth to tell, though, you're not such a bad lot yourself,
As a Paul Swan, you are not so hot yourself.
And yet.

I love your funny face,
Your sunny, funny face,
You can't repair it,
So I declare it
Is quite all right

Like Ronald Colman?

So's your ol' man!
Yet it's very clear,
I'm glad when you are near.
Though you're no Handsome Harry
For worlds I'd not replace
Your sunny funny face.

I love that funny face,
That sunny, funny face
Thought it upsets one,
In time, it gets one,
That's true, for you
Have personality for two.
Those eyes! Those nose! Those cheek!
Won't make a movie sheik,
But though you're not patootie,
For worlds I'd not replace
Your sunny, funny face.

I love your funny face,
Your sunny, funny face,
You never bother
About your father.
Have you no shame?
You're just a mutt and nothing but!
Yet when you wag your tail,
You'll never be for sale.
Though you're no Rin Tin Tin, dear,




For worlds I'd not replace
Your sunny, funny face.

Overall Meaning

The song "Funny Face" is a playful and charming tribute to someone who may not be conventionally handsome or beautiful, but who has a magnetic and endearing presence. The singer sings to Frankie, telling him that his birthday gift has revealed to her that he has a good heart, even if he doesn't always show it. She goes on to say that his "funny face" is what appeals to her most, and that he has the qualities of Peter Pan - youthful and carefree. She acknowledges that others may not find him attractive in the conventional sense, but to her, he has a lot of personality and brings a lot of joy and laughter into her life.


Throughout the song, the singer playfully teases Frankie and pokes fun at his appearance, but it's always done in an affectionate way. She knows that he's not a Hollywood leading man - she references Gloria Swanson and Paul Swan, two actors from the 1920s - but she loves him all the same. The song is a celebration of individuality and finding beauty in unexpected places.


Line by Line Meaning

Frankie, dear, your birthday gift reveals to me That at heart you're really not so bad.
Your birthday gift tells me that you have a good heart, despite what people might think of you.


If I add, why our funny face appeals to me. Please don't think I've suddenly gone mad.
If I tell you why I love your funny face, please don't think I'm crazy.


You have all the qualities of Peter Pan, I'd go far before I'd find a sweeter pan And yet
You have the same qualities as Peter Pan and I wouldn't find anyone more charming than you, despite your flaws.


I love your funny face, Your sunny, funny face, For you're a cutie With more than beauty You've got a lot Of personality N.T.
Although you may not be the most beautiful person, your funny face and great personality make you absolutely charming.


A thousand laughs I've found In having you around. Through you're not Gloria Swanson, For worlds I'd not replace Your sunny, funny face.
Being around you brings me so much joy and happiness. Even though you're not a famous actress, I wouldn't trade your funny face for anything.


Needn't tell me that I'm not so pretty, dear, When my looking glass and I agree, In the contest at Atlantic City, dear, Miss America I'd never be, Truth to tell, though, you're not such a bad lot yourself, As a Paul Swan, you are not so hot yourself. And yet.
I know I'm not the prettiest person, and I don't need you to tell me. I would never win Miss America. However, you're not that good-looking either, but I still love you for who you are.


You can't repair it, So I declare it Is quite all right Like Ronald Colman? So's your ol' man! Yet it's very clear, I'm glad when you are near. Though you're no Handsome Harry For worlds I'd not replace Your sunny funny face.
Your funny face is unique and cannot be changed, but that's okay with me. Even though you're not traditionally handsome (like Ronald Colman), I'm still happy when you're around.


Thought it upsets one, In time, it gets one, That's true, for you Have personality for two. Those eyes! Those nose! Those cheek! Won't make a movie sheik, But though you're not patootie, For worlds I'd not replace Your sunny, funny face.
At first, your funny face may upset people, but they eventually come around because your personality shines through. Your unique features may not make you a movie star, but I wouldn't trade your sunny, funny face for anyone else's.


You never bother About your father. Have you no shame? You're just a mutt and nothing but! Yet when you wag your tail, You'll never be for sale. Though you're no Rin Tin Tin, dear, For worlds I'd not replace Your sunny, funny face.
You don't care about your family background or pedigree. Even though you may be considered a mutt, I love how happy and carefree you are. Although you may not be a famous dog like Rin Tin Tin, your sunny, funny face is irreplaceable.




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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