Dassin was born in New York City to Jules Dassin (Yiddish actor and film noir director) and Béatrice Launer. He began his childhood first in New York and Los Angeles, California. However after his father became a victim of the anti-communist policies of Senator Joseph McCarthy, he and his family moved from place to place across Europe.
After studying at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, Dassin moved back to the United States to go to college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan after doing very well on his bachelor's exam. After college, he moved back again to France where, while working at a radio station, a record label convinced him to begin to record his songs.
By the early 1970s, Dassin's songs topped the charts in France and he became well known. Probably as a recognition of his parents' left leanings, Dassin's records were officially released in the USSR. However, the political views of his parents were not well known to the general public in the USSR, and Dassin's popularity in the USSR should be connected to his talent only. He was also a talented polyglot, recording songs in German, Spanish, Italian and Greek, as well as French and English.
He died of a heart attack during a vacation to Tahiti on August 20, 1980. He is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
Songs:Les Champs-Élysées ,L'été indien ,Ça va pas changer le Monde ,Et si tu n'existais pas, Salut ....
My Funny Valentine
Joe Dassin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
But you're my favourite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek
When you open it to speak
Oh you smile!
Don't change your hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day
Don't you change your hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day
Joe Dassin's "My Funny Valentine" is a love song that pays tribute to the singer's significant other by celebrating their unique features that make them attractive. The phrase "funny valentine" implies a sense of humor and off-beat charm, further emphasized by the line "Sweet comic valentine." The singer then shares that their loved one's physical appearance may not conform to society's standards of beauty, using the words "laughable" and "unphotographable." However, despite this, the singer finds their loved one to be their "favorite work of art."
The second stanza poses a rhetorical question to the loved one, asking if their figure and speech are not typically "perfect." Yet, the singer underlines the importance of their loved one's smile, highlighting the value of their happiness and joy. The refrain "Don't you change your hair for me" echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the singer cherishes their loved one just as they are. They conclude with the line "Each day is Valentine's day" indicating the singer's love is ever-present throughout the year.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny Valentine
You, my peculiar sweetheart
Sweet comic Valentine
My endearing funny Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your love fills me with so much joy that it touches my heart
Your looks are laughable
You may not have a conventionally attractive appearance
Unphotographable
You are difficult to capture in a photo
But you're my favourite work of art
To me, you're the best thing in the world
Is your figure less than Greek
You may not fit the standard definition of beauty or perfection
Is your mouth just a little weak
You may have a slight physical imperfection, but it's nothing to worry about
When you open it to speak
But when you talk, it doesn't matter because your words are beautiful
Oh you smile!
Your smile is the most beautiful thing about you
Don't change your hair for me
I love you just the way you are, please don't change yourself to please me
Not if you care for me
If you truly love and care for me, please don't change yourself
Stay little Valentine stay
Don't ever leave me, my beloved
Each day is Valentine's day
I celebrate and cherish our love every single day
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leni Magrove
On n'attend pas Dassin dans ce registre où pourtant il excelle. Superbes arrangements et interprétation - plus bluezy que celle de Chet Baker très belle aussi.
14 XI 2022
What a beautiful pastel colours' palette You have drawn forth in order to create this most delicate musical canvas to this "charmant" Dassin version of this classic standard. Superbe mon cherie Pablito very beautiful video that reflects Your heartfelt beauty , no doubt. Bisous , )
PablitoBodhisattva
There is a video clip of this song here on YT. Yet, that's slightly different version to this song.
Adrianka Botewa
Nice and sad...
dartagnan eldiablo luc
an original interpretation
ely ejoty
Je préfère nettement Joe Dassin dans ses quelques enregistrements de standards américains à sa variété grand public et souvent souvent insipide qu'il a enregistrée en français.
Dommage qu'il n'ait pas persévéré. A la façon d'un Graeme Allwright par exemple.
Nirina Ramangasalama
L'amour rend heureux
Magamiam
Oh là là cette chanson c'est magnifique cherie!! Funny Girl o*.*h Mercie beaucou:p