Born in East Orange, New Jersey, MacRae made his Broadway debut in the mid-1940s, acquiring his first recording contract soon afterwards. Many of his hit recordings were made with Jo Stafford. It was in 1948 that he appeared in his first film, The Big Punch, a non-musical boxing drama. He soon began an on-screen partnership with Doris Day and appeared with her in several films. In 1953, he starred opposite Kathryn Grayson in the third film version of The Desert Song. This was followed by starring appearances in two major films of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956), both opposite Shirley Jones.
My Funny Valentine
Gordon MacRae Lyrics
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Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favourite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek'
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 Valentines 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 you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is Valentines Day
Gordon MacRae's "My Funny Valentine" is a beautiful and touching love song that speaks to the power of unconditional love. The lyrics are a celebration of the singer's sweetheart, who may not fit into society's narrow notions of beauty or perfection, but who is loved nonetheless for the unique and wonderful individual they are. The song paints a picture of a relationship in which the two partners accept each other completely, flaws and all, and find joy and happiness in the simple act of being together.
The opening lines of the song, "My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine," immediately establish a tone of affectionate teasing, suggesting that the singer is comfortable enough with their partner to make gentle fun of them. The following lines about the partner's looks being "laughable" and "unphotographable" reinforce the idea that this relationship is about more than just physical appearance, and that the singer's love is based on something much deeper and more enduring.
The song goes on to ask a series of rhetorical questions about the partner, such as "Is your figure less than Greek?" and "Is your mouth a little weak?" These questions imply that the partner might not be conventionally attractive or socially skilled, but the singer is quick to reassure them that none of that matters. The repeated refrain of "don't change a hair for me" emphasizes this point, and makes it clear that the singer loves their partner just the way they are.
Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to the power of love, and a reminder that true beauty lies not in perfection, but in the individual quirks and flaws that make each person unique.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine
You, my amusingly unique and quirky loved one
Sweet comic valentine
You, my darling whose wit and humor always light up my life
You make me smile with my heart
Your presence in my life fills me with an overwhelming sense of joy and contentment
Your looks are laughable
Though you may not fit society's conventional beauty standards, your peculiar charm and distinguishing features make you all the more endearing to me
Unphotographable
Your idiosyncrasies and complexities cannot be captured by any photograph, for they are what truly make you distinct and captivating
Yet you're my favourite work of art
To me, you are a masterpiece, one that I cherish and admire above all others
Is your figure less than Greek'
Do you conform to traditional beauty standards, or are you different but just as extraordinary?
Is your mouth a little weak
Do you struggle to communicate your thoughts and feelings, or do you spin your own unique web of words?
When you open it to speak
When you express yourself, do you reveal something merely ordinary, or do you share something wild and wonderful?
Are you smart?
Do you have a sharp, brilliant mind that constantly fascinates and intrigues me?
But don't change a hair for me
I do not want you to alter anything about yourself to conform to my expectations or desires
Not if you care for me
If you love me, please do not try to become anything you are not, for I adore you just as you are
Stay little valentine stay
Remain with me, my darling, for I love and treasure you dearly
Each day is Valentines Day
Every moment we spend together is filled with love and affection, just like Valentine's Day
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind