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Personality
Johnny Mercer Lyrics


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When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
Said all the gentlemen, "Obviously"
"The madam has the cutest personality"

And think of all the books about do Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paree?
She had a well-developed personality

(What did Romeo see in Juliet?)
(Or Figaro in Figarette?)
(Or Jupiter in Juno?)
You know

And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
No doubt it must have been easy to see
That she knew how to use her personality

(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
(Unless she's got a perfect personality)

(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
(Or even just a bit bowed at the knee)
(If she can show a faultless personality)

Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings?
By men who wear their spats right?
(That's right)

(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart")
(Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be")
Just tell me how you like my
Ruff

(Personality)

Baby, you've got the cutest
Personality

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Mercer’s song Personality celebrate the importance of a woman’s personality above all other physical attributes. The song starts by mentioning Madam Pompadour, a famous French courtesan who was the mistress of Louis XV. When Madam Pompadour was at a ballroom, all the gentlemen present were in awe of her; not primarily for her physical attractiveness, but for her charming and engaging personality. The song then asks listeners to ponder over historical figures from Romeo to Juliet and Jupiter to Juno. The song points out that what made these pairs click was the unique personalities that each of them possessed. The song then mentions Salome, a character from the New Testament, who danced and captivated the audience. The song suggests that she was so entrancing because she knew how to use her personality to maximum effect.


The second half of the song gives examples of how women with impressive personalities can achieve great things in life irrespective of their physical appearances. For instance, a woman can learn to spell and take dictation well, and yet get nowhere in life without a perfect personality. Whereas, another woman with stringy hair or bowed knees can still achieve great success only if they have a pleasing and charming personality. The song then encourages women to strive to improve their personalities, which can lead to winning the affections of wealthy suitors who will offer them luxuries like sable coats and wedding rings. The song concludes by reiterating that personality is the most important attribute a woman can have.


Line by Line Meaning

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor
When Madam Pompadour was dancing in the ballroom


Said all the gentlemen, "Obviously"
All the gentlemen said, "obviously"


"The madam has the cutest personality"
They said, "The madam has the cutest personality"


And think of all the books about do Barry's looks
Think of all the books about Du Barry's looks


What was it made her the toast of Paree?
What made her the talk of Paree?


She had a well-developed personality
She had a well-developed personality


(What did Romeo see in Juliet?)
What did Romeo see in Juliet?


(Or Figaro in Figarette?)
Or Figaro in Figarette?


(Or Jupiter in Juno?)
Or Jupiter in Juno?


You know
You know


And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced


No doubt it must have been easy to see
It must have been easy to see


That she knew how to use her personality
That she knew how to use her personality


(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well


(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
And never sit on the boss's left knee


(Unless she's got a perfect personality)
Unless she's got a perfect personality


(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
A girl can still become successful in spite of stringy hair


(Or even just a bit bowed at the knee)
Or even just a bit bowed at the knee


(If she can show a faultless personality)
If she can show a faultless personality


Why are certain girls offered certain things
Why are certain girls offered certain things?


Like sable coats and wedding rings?
Like sable coats and wedding rings?


By men who wear their spats right?
By men who wear their spats right?


(That's right)
That's right


(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart")
So don't say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart"


(Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be")
Or "What a wonderful sister I'd be"


Just tell me how you like my
Just tell me how you like my


Personality
Personality


Baby, you've got the cutest
Baby, you've got the cutest


Personality
Personality




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@googleforcedhandle

When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor Said all the gentlemen "Obviously ",
"The madam has the cutest personality"

And think of all the books about Du Barry's looks
What was it made her the toast of Paree
She had a well-developed
Personality

(What did Romeo see in Juliet )?
(Or Figaro in Figarette )?
(Or Jupiter in Juno )?
You know!

And when Salome danced and had the boys entranced
No doubt it must have been easy to see
That she knew how to use her personality

(A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well)
(And never sit on the boss's left knee)
(Unless she's got a perfect personality)

(A girl can get somewhere in spite of stringy hair)
(Or even just a bit bowed at the knees)
(If she can show a faultless personality)

Why are certain girls offered certain things
Like sable coats and wedding rings
By men who wear their spats right
(That's right )!

(So don'tcha say "I'm smart and have the kindest heart"
(Or "what a wonderful sister I'd be")
Just tell me how you like my
"Rufff Br! personality!

Baby you've, got the cutest

Personality!



@GoldieTamamo

You just can't win that game anymore.

If you say A: You should have said B and are therefore a heretic.
If you say B: You actually meant A and are therefore a heretic.

The only thing left to do is just not pay any compliments, and by process of not giving a damn, produce equal parts frustration and thirsty intrigue until they've run through a sufficient number of boy toys to see your own personal merit. Assuming it ever happens.

Way to go sexual selection model. You've officially torsioned. We are now living in the Mouse Utopia.

Okay I'll stop--everything I just said was total bullshit, probably.



All comments from YouTube:

@maxsol84

I'm beginning to suspect he's not actually referring to her personality

@classicrockradio9039

maxsol84 he likes personalitties

@cp2410

Big Fronch It's a lesson from the commercial course in high school: A girl can learn to spell and take dictation well but never sit on the boss's settee til she can show a faultless PERSONALITY. That's how a career-girl gets ahead. It's just a tip on how to succeed in life.

@brennanperry8001

Why would he make a song saying someone has a cute personality, and not mean personality?

@user-kw7bs1qg2h

Big Fronch you are right cause”Well-developed” shouldn’t be used to describe a personality but a body.

@olefredrikskjegstad5972

@@brennanperry8001 You see there's this thing called a "Euphemism"

68 More Replies...

@TjW.

when your charisma is level 10

@knightwithagun8875

XD

@mustangbeauty4

Lol

@scrodingerscat580

Tj W O.O 111 LIKES

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