Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.
My Funny Valentine
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
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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
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
"My Funny Valentine" is a delicate love song that recognizes the imperfection of love, yet still finds beauty in it. The song begins with the singer addressing the titular character as a "sweet comic valentine" who has the ability to make her smile with her heart. Even though the valentine's looks are laughable and un-photographable, the singer still sees her as a favorite work of art. The lyrics then move on to ask if the valentine's figure is less than Greek and if her mouth is a little weak, indicating an acknowledgement of physical imperfections. The song also questions whether the valentine is smart, but then immediately reassures her not to change a hair for the singer, as each day is Valentine's Day as long as the valentine stays.
Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is a song about loving someone for who they are, in all their imperfections. The lyrics celebrate the unique individuality of the valentine, recognizing her as a work of art worthy of love and affection. The singer is asking her to stay just the way she is, knowing that each day is a new opportunity to appreciate their love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
You make me laugh and smile, yet you are my sweet and dear valentine, whom I treasure immensely.
You make me smile with my heart
You fill me with so much joy and happiness that I can't help but smile from within.
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Your appearance may not be conventionally attractive, but I find your unique features and imperfections to be charming and endearing in their own way.
Yet, you're my favorite work of art
You are my favorite masterpiece, a unique and beautiful creation that no one else could replicate.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Are your physical features not what society considers to be the ideal or perfect form?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Does your speech or voice not match the ideal or perfect standard?
When you open it to speak
When you express yourself vocally,
Are you smart?
Do you possess intelligence and wit?
But, don't change a hair for me
Even though you may feel insecure or inadequate due to societal beauty standards, please do not change anything about yourself for my sake.
Not if you care for me
If you truly care for me, then you will not compromise your true self for anyone else's standards or opinions.
Stay little valentine, stay
Please stay as you are, my dear valentine, do not change or grow distant from me.
Each day is Valentine's Day
Every day spent with you feels like Valentine's Day to me, full of love and gratitude for your presence in my life.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DonyaLane
I actually can't stand this song, but Ella Mae Morse gets me through it. Why she's not a household name, I'll never know...