My Funny Valentine
Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band Lyrics

Gerry Mulligan's "My Funny Valentine" employs cleverly worded lyrics to paint a vivid picture of a person who is not necessarily outwardly attractive but who still makes the singer's heart skip a beat. The opening lines "you're my funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine, you make me smile with my heart" capture the essence of the song's message. The recipient of the song is not conventionally beautiful, but there's something in their personality that leaves the singer feeling happy and content. The second set of lines, "your looks are laughable, un-photo-graphical, yet you're my favorite work of art," further enforces the notion that physical beauty is not the most important aspect of a person.

The bridge of the song features some pointed questions designed to test the recipient's confidence. "Is your figure less than Greek? Is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smiling?" The singer seems to be saying that while the recipient may not be a conventional beauty, he or she makes up for it in other ways. The song's final verse, "but don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me. Stay little Valentine, stay! Each day is Valentine's Day," emphasizes that the singer values the recipient exactly as they are and doesn't want them to try to change in any way.