My Funny Valentine
Ella Fitzgerald & Buddy Bregman and His Orchestra Lyrics
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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're 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
The song My Funny Valentine, written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, is a tribute to a person who may not be perfect, but is cherished all the same. As the song begins, the singer describes the object of the song's affections as a "fine feathered friend" who parades their virtues for the world to see. However, they also see that this person's true nature is hidden behind their tousled hair and vacant gaze. Despite this, the singer sees this person as a "noble upright truthful sincere, and slightly dopey gent", which means that they are honest and sincere, but also a bit goofy.
The chorus of the song is an expression of love for this person, who may not be conventionally attractive, but is adored all the same. The singer calls this person their "funny valentine" and says that they make them smile with their heart. They acknowledge that this person's looks are laughable and un-photographable, but still view them as a favorite work of art. The second verse asks whether this person's figure is less than Greek or their mouth a little weak, but concludes by saying that none of that matters. The singer wants this person to stay just as they are because they care for them, and every day is like Valentine's Day with them in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Behold the way our fine feathered friend,
Look at the way this bird displays its virtues
His virtue doth parade
It is parading its goodness
Thou knowest not, my dim-witted friend
You, my not-so-intelligent friend, do not understand
The picture thou hast made
The image of yourself that you present
Thy vacant brow, and thy tousled hair
Your empty look and messy hair
Conceal thy good intent
Hide your true intentions
Thou noble upright truthful sincere,
You are honest and sincere
And slightly dopey gent
But also a little foolish
You're my funny valentine,
You are my amusing Valentine
Sweet comic valentine,
You are a kind-hearted and humorous Valentine
You make me smile with my heart.
You bring me great joy
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable,
Your appearance is amusing and cannot be captured in a photo
Yet, you're my favorite work of art.
But you are my favorite masterpiece
Is your figure less than Greek?
Do you have an imperfect figure?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Do you have a slight speech impediment?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?
Do people perceive you as intelligent when you speak?
But, don't change a hair for me.
But please don't change anything about yourself for me
Not if you care for me.
I love you just the way you are
Stay little valentine, stay!
Stay with me, sweet Valentine
Each day is Valentine's Day
Every day with you feels like Valentine's Day
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I Slay
the intro alone makes me melt!
"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..."
menecio
I've tried listening to other renditions of this song and I can NEVER finish them because halfway through I feel my soul screaming for Ella and, well, I comply and return to this video here! My favourite version BY FAR. Not that the others aren't good, but there's just something about Ella. I love her.
Melissa Barrantes
Agreed, this version is magnificent
Brotherji
This is the standard against all others are measured.
john parkinson
Many singers have recorded this song but Ella`s is the best.
davide foschini
Rita Reys ?
Ella Lena
When Ella performed a song she planned it, arranged it, phrased it, timed it, shaded it.all through the perspective of the protagonist. And no matter how many times I listen to this song I hear something new. Every single word was coloured with the infatuation of a love smitten teenager and she nailed it. Listen listen and listen again.
I was listening to this song when the “penny dropped” and I fully realised the true greatness of Ella Fitzgerald. It’s extinct.
Igor K
I respectfully disagree with the "teenager" idea - these feelings are too mature for a teenager. I reserve the right to be wrong, though.
Maria Alejandra Castilla Berdugo
I want to do a cover but I can't follow the song, it's hard.
PS: this song is ART
Sean
I love the opening solo trade off. It’s so well done
kordier
Inimitable, unparalleled, Ella.