My Funny Valentine
Gerry Mulligan with Chet Baker Lyrics
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You make me smile with my heart,
Your looks are laughable, un-photo-graphical,
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 smiling?
Not if you care for me.
Stay little valentine, stay!
Each day is Valentine´s Day
Each day is Valentine´s Day
"My Funny Valentine" is a song that has been interpreted by countless singers and jazz musicians, but no one has done it quite like the Gerry Mulligan & Concert Jazz Band. The song is a ballad that speaks of the beauty and quirks of love. The lyrics describe the singer’s significant other as their “funny Valentine” who makes them smile from the heart. The lyrics also speak of the lover's looks being unique, laughable, and unable to be captured in a photograph. Despite any perceived physical imperfections, the lover is still their “favorite work of art.”
The song also raises the question of whether the lover's physical appearance meets societal beauty standards. The lyrics ask, “Is your figure less than Greek?” and mentions having a “little weak” mouth when speaking. However, the song quickly dismisses these societal standards and reassures the lover that they need not change anything about themselves.
The beauty of the song is that it celebrates the unique qualities of love while acknowledging that the societal standard of beauty is not something to be chased. The song encourages the lover to "stay little Valentine" as every day with them is like Valentine's Day.
Line by Line Meaning
Your my funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine,
You are my amusing and endearing lover, my dear comic companion.
You make me smile with my heart,
You bring so much joy and warmth to my heart and it fills me with happiness.
Your looks are laughable, un-photo-graphical,
Your appearance may not be conventionally attractive or photogenic, but it doesn't matter because you are so much more than that to me.
Yet you´re my favorite work of art
You are my favorite and most beloved creation, even more valuable than any work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your physique not as ideal as ancient Greek sculptures?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Do you have a slight speech impediment or weakness in your mouth that may make you self-conscious?
When you open it to speak, are you smiling?
When you talk, do you still have a pleasant smile on your face?
But don´t change a hair for me,
Please don't change anything about yourself just for me, because I love you exactly the way you are.
Not if you care for me.
If you truly care for me, then don't try to change yourself to fit my standards or expectations.
Stay little valentine, stay!
Don't go away, stay with me, my sweet and cherished valentine.
Each day is Valentine´s Day
Every day spent with you feels like a romantic Valentine's Day celebration because I am so grateful for your love and presence in my life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: HART, LORENZ / RODGERS, RICHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lamprecchtm
Wow , that's music
@pigshitpoet
In 2015, it was announced that the Gerry Mulligan quartet featuring Chet Baker's version of this song was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry for the song's "cultural, artistic and/or historical significance to American society and the nation’s audio legacy".
@kerota
very best take
@57dogsbody
Chet does a very clever thing here: he takes an upbeat song with (dare I say it) almost jokey lyrics and makes it heartbreaking in a simple beautiful way. If you know anybody who doesn't understand you when you tell them Chet is a very soulful player, play them this.
@bondmatty
This is played so sensitively. My favourite version.
@Rocket57ca
My fave version of this standard. Gorgeous, stark, beautifully played.
@MrDimwits
Yeah, thank you. Thank you all. Brilliant.
@sandyotis
Thanks for this, two of the very best artists ever, and who left us way too soon. Can't believe that you haven't had more hits. But no dislikes!
@ese3go
This sends me . . .
@jenng128
Have always loved this romantic melody. Just proves any instrument is capable of seducing a person's mind.👏⚘🎺