Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
My Funny Valentine
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong 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
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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'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
@frankiebowie6174
I was born on St. Valentine’s Day and like a little monkey, was covered in hair. My beloved mother called me her funny valentine, much to the dismay and disapproval of the nurses. Thank goodness, she held firm to her acceptance for the rest of her life. ❤ RIP dear mother of mine.
@omi1975db
You might be year of the monkey
@user-lu8gj8zx2o
They say she can sing even a telephone book and u sure it's the best song in the world) .Ella, u've made our world better by yr songs
@user-sj2ve4ux1c
Also born on valentines day 1940 the year. Of the dragon this is also year of dragon ,cheers🎉
@franknstein2931
The judges said that to the woman on Britain's got talent. She sang this song, and Simon said, "you could sing the phone book."
@stellas6474
Nobody sings this beautiful song like Ella Fitzgerald.
@danl.4743
Some little super talented girl comes close. Look for "Angelina Jordan My Funny Valentine".
@jacquespicotte8493
@@danl.4743 I agree with you, Dan.
I always said that this jazz song was the most difficult one in Angelina's whole repertoire and that the fact that she was flawless in its delivery, taking into accont her young age at the time and its primitive recording, makes it her best overall accomplishment.
Still, Stella is right too, since Angelina herself never intended to sing it "like Ella Fitzgerald". Like for all her covers, she woud sing it her way and makes it her own, which is what any work of art should be, not a copy, but an original.
@runp44
The best ever
@orjanjosefsson9588
@@danl.4743 Best version from Angelina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ25H4a2gPI