The pair wrote nine musicals together and collaborated on a musical film, State Fair. As producers, they also brought Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun to the stage [1], leaving an indelible mark on American musical theater and a legacy of successes that has never been equaled. Their joint efforts continued over a twenty-year period, until Hammerstein's death in 1960.
I Enjoy Being a Girl
Rodgers & Hammerstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy,
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy.
I adore being dressed in something frilly
When my date comes to get me at my place.
Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy,
When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I float as the clouds on air do,
I enjoy being a girl!
When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers,
I drool over dresses made of lace,
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face!
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.
When men say I'm sweet as candy
As around in a dance we whirl,
It goes to my head like brandy,
I enjoy being a girl!
When someone with eyes that smoulder
Says he loves ev'ry silken curl
That falls on my iv'ry shoulder,
I enjoy being a girl!
I'm a girl, and by me that's only great!
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy,
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy.
I adore being dressed in something frilly
When my date comes to get me at my place.
Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy,
Like a filly who is ready for the race!
When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I float as the clouds on air do,
I enjoy being a girl!
When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers,
I drool over dresses made of lace,
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face!
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.
When men say I'm sweet as candy
As around in a dance we whirl,
It goes to my head like brandy,
I enjoy being a girl!
When someone with eyes that smoulder
Says he loves ev'ry silken curl
That falls on my iv'ry shoulder,
I enjoy being a girl!
When I hear the compliment'ry whistle
That greets my bikini by the sea,
I turn and I glower and I bristle,
But I happy to know the whistle's meant for me!
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.
The song "I Enjoy Being a Girl" showcases a female protagonist reveling in her feminine identity. She takes pride in her womanly figure, her sweet and delicate demeanor, and the attention she receives from men. The song presents a traditional view of gender roles, with the female protagonist dreaming of finding happiness in the home of a brave and free male.
The song starts with the singer expressing pride in her womanly figure and the way she walks, highlighting her curvy silhouette and swivelly hips. She then talks about her love for dressing up in something frilly when her date comes to pick her up. The singer talks about enjoying the attention she receives from men - enjoying being complimented, being sent flowers, and having a man profess his love for her. The song ends with the singer dreaming of finding a home with a brave and free man who would appreciate her as a woman.
Overall, the song presents a depiction of femininity that is limiting and traditional. Women are supposed to take pride in their appearance, enjoy receiving compliments from men, and aspire to find a home with a male partner. The song reinforces traditional gender roles and reinforces the idea that a woman's identity and worth are tied solely to her appearance and her relationships with men.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a girl, and by me that's only great!
I am a girl and I take pride in that fact.
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy,
I am proud of my feminine curves.
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
I have a light and youthful way of walking
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy.
I have a playful way of moving my hips.
I adore being dressed in something frilly
I love to wear fancy and feminine clothing
When my date comes to get me at my place.
I enjoy when a man comes to pick me up for a date.
Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy,
I go out with my date with enthusiasm and excitement.
Like a filly who is ready for the race!
I feel ready and eager to go out and have fun.
When I have a brand new hairdo
I feel great when I have a new hairstyle.
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I have put effort into curling my eyelashes to look pretty.
I float as the clouds on air do,
I feel light and carefree.
I enjoy being a girl!
I revel in my femininity.
When men say I'm cute and funny
I feel good when men compliment me on my looks and personality.
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I am reminded of how pretty my smile is when men compliment my teeth.
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy receiving compliments and attention from men.
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers,
I feel ecstatic when a man gives me flowers as a gift.
I drool over dresses made of lace,
I love dresses that are feminine and elegant, especially those with lace.
I talk on the telephone for hours
I enjoy talking with friends and family on the phone for long periods of time.
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face!
I don't mind wearing a lot of makeup when I talk on the phone.
I'm strictly a female female
I identify strongly as a woman.
And my future I hope will be
I have aspirations for my future.
In the home of a brave and free male
I hope to find a man who is confident and independent.
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.
I want to be with a man who appreciates having me as his partner.
When someone with eyes that smoulder
I am attracted to men with intense and passionate eyes.
Says he loves ev'ry silken curl
I feel appreciated when a man compliments my hair.
That falls on my iv'ry shoulder,
I like it when men notice and admire my bare shoulders.
It goes to my head like brandy,
Compliments from men make me feel exuberant and confident.
When I hear the compliment'ry whistle
I feel a mixture of flattery and annoyance when I hear men whistling at me.
That greets my bikini by the sea,
I am self-conscious when I wear a bikini in public.
I turn and I glower and I bristle,
I get angry and upset when men whistle at me.
But I happy to know the whistle's meant for me!
I secretly enjoy the attention even though it bothers me.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind