I Feel Pretty
Stan Kenton Lyrics


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I feel pretty
Oh, so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight

I feel charming
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real

See the pretty girl in that mirror there
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile
Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!

Have you met my good friend Maria
The craziest girl on the block?
You'll know her the minute you see her
She's the one who is in an advanced state of shock

She thinks she's in love
She thinks she's in Spain
She isn't in love
She's merely insane

It must be the heat
Or some rare disease
Or too much to eat
Or maybe it's fleas

Keep away from her
Send for Chino!
This is not the
Maria we know!

Modest and pure
Polite and refined
Well-bred and mature
And out of her mind!

I feel pretty
Oh, so pretty
That the city should give me its key
A committee
Should be organized to honor me

La la la la

I feel dizzy
I feel sunny
I feel fizzy and funny and fine
And so pretty
Miss America can just resign!

La la la la

See the pretty girl in that mirror there

What mirror where?

Who can that attractive girl be?

Which? What? Where? Whom?

Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile
Such a pretty me!

Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy




For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!

Overall Meaning

The song "I feel pretty" from the musical "West Side Story" was originally written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was later arranged by Stan Kenton as an instrumental jazz piece with some added vocal lines. The lyrics use repetition of the word 'pretty' to convey a mood of happiness and confidence. The song expresses the joy that the singer feels about her appearance and the attention she receives from others. She pities other girls who are not as pretty as her and revels in her own attractiveness. The singer's confidence is unrealistic, but the song encourages us to believe in our beauty and to feel good about ourselves.


The song has a simple melody that is catchy and upbeat with a walking bass line, resonant drums, and bold trumpets. The lyrics are sung in a lighthearted and playful tone, with the singer reflecting on her own physical appearance. The bridge introduces a new character, Maria, who is portrayed as crazy and in love with the wrong person. The chorus repeats and ties back to the singer's feelings, emphasizing just how pretty she feels.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel pretty
I feel beautiful


Oh, so pretty
Extremely beautiful


I feel pretty and witty and bright!
I feel beautiful, intelligent, and full of life!


And I pity any girl who isn't me tonight
Other girls should be jealous of how stunning I feel tonight


I feel charming
I feel irresistible


Oh, so charming
Really quite irresistible


It's alarming how charming I feel!
I am surprised at how much I've charmed myself!


And so pretty
I am so incredibly beautiful


That I hardly can believe I'm real
I am so stunning that it's hard to believe I'm not dreaming


See the pretty girl in that mirror there
I see myself in the mirror and I look amazing


Who can that attractive girl be?
Is that really me? I look so attractive


Such a pretty face
My face is incredibly beautiful


Such a pretty dress
My dress is extremely pretty


Such a pretty smile
My smile is beautiful


Such a pretty me!
I am so pretty and I can't help but admire myself!


I feel stunning
I feel absolutely stunning


And entrancing
I am captivating everyone around me


Feel like running and dancing for joy
I am so happy that I feel like running and dancing!


For I'm loved by a pretty wonderful boy!
I have a fantastic boyfriend who loves me and makes me feel even more beautiful


Have you met my good friend Maria
Do you know my good friend Maria?


The craziest girl on the block?
She's the wildest and craziest girl on this street?


You'll know her the minute you see her
You'll recognize her as soon as you lay eyes on her


She thinks she's in love
She believes she is in love


She thinks she's in Spain
She believes she is in Spain


She isn't in love
She is not actually in love


She's merely insane
She's just crazy


It must be the heat
Maybe it's because it's too hot


Or some rare disease
Perhaps it's because she's suffering from an unusual illness


Or too much to eat
Maybe she ate too much food


Or maybe it's fleas
Possibly, she has a flea infestation or itchiness


Keep away from her
Stay away from her


Send for Chino!
Get Chino to help!


This is not the Maria we know!
She's acting completely different from her usual self!


Modest and pure
She is humble and innocent


Polite and refined
She is polite and well-mannered


Well-bred and mature
She is brought up well and mature


And out of her mind!
But she's currently out of her mind and behaving strangely


That the city should give me its key
I feel important and famous


A committee should be organized to honor me
I deserve an official recognition committee to honor me


I feel dizzy
I feel giddy and lightheaded


I feel sunny
I feel happy


I feel fizzy and funny and fine
I feel bubbly, funny, and fantastic!


And so pretty
I am so beautiful


Miss America can just resign!
I am so pretty that Miss America should just step down!




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEONARD BERNSTEIN, STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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