My Funny Valentine
Linda Ronstadt (Feat. Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet your my favorite work of art
Is your Figure less than Greek?
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But don't change your 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 change your hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day
The song "My Funny Valentine" by Rodgers and Hart is a classic show tune that has been recorded by many artists. The version by Linda Ronstadt featuring Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra is particularly notable for its lush orchestration and Ronstadt's emotional delivery of the lyrics. The song is essentially a love letter to someone who may not fit society's conventional standards of beauty or intelligence - but to the singer, this person is a precious work of art.
The lyrics are full of contradictions and questions. The singer asks if the object of her affection is smart, if their figure is less than perfect, if their mouth is weak - but then urges them not to change a thing for her. This suggests that the singer truly loves this person for who they are and doesn't need them to conform to anyone else's expectations. The line "you make me smile with my heart" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer's love for this person goes beyond physical attraction and touches her very soul.
Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is a tender and romantic song that celebrates love in all its forms, even when it's not conventionally "pretty". It encourages us to look past superficial qualities and appreciate the beauty that lies within each individual.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine
My beautiful and unique valentine
Sweet comic valentine
Humorous and endearing valentine
You make me smile with my heart
You make me feel happy and in love in a deep, emotional way
Your looks are laughable
Your appearance may not conform to societal standards of beauty and can be seen as humorous
Unphotographable
Difficult to capture or represent in a photograph, but no less beautiful because of it
Yet your my favorite work of art
Despite your unconventional appearance, I find you to be the most beautiful and inspiring thing in the world
Is your Figure less than Greek?
Why should we compare ourselves to the unrealistic standards set by an ancient civilization?
Is your mouth a little week?
Does it really matter if you don't have the perfect smile or speech?
When you open it to Speak
When you share your thoughts and ideas with me
Are you smart?
I admire your intelligence and the way you think about the world
But don't change your hair for me
I love you just the way you are, and wouldn't want you to change anything for my sake
Not if you care for me
If you truly care for me, you will be yourself and not try to conform to any ideals or expectations
Stay little valentine stay
Be with me forever, as my source of love and inspiration
Each day is Valentines day
I cherish you every day, not just on a holiday or special occasion
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@donnalowe9334
Behold the way our fine feathered friend
His virtue doth parade
Thou knowest not my dim-witted friend
The picture thou hast made
Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Conceal thy good intent
Thou noble, upright, truthful, sincere
And slightly dopey gent
You're my funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Still 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 smart
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay, little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
@Thomas-kl5mo
I have Loved Linda's Voice for such a long time, she has such A Beautiful and comforting style of singing, I am so grateful to be a fan of hers and I pray for her daily.
@28daisies
Wow, just wow. She always puts a beautiful spin on the songs she sings.
@BetterqQoL
She could sing the Phonebook and put her unique spin on it and it would sound great.
@rickhartline7883
You realize this is perfection right? One female voice and five musicians backing her up? Wtf...this is surreal...Love you baby.
@arthurathanassiou3948
wow ... that note at 2.10 and again at 2.20 ... she just lays it out there ... one of the best voices ever.
@user-uv2iz9jj8g
Her voice is a gift from heaven not only for her but for the world
@MegaAtomium
To hear her sing this live was AMAZING!!! I love her now and always.
@28daisies
I bet
@dr1204
Oh well I'm jealous I wish I could have seen her live
@lozanogomez
This is a perfect vocal!!