Barker was a member of Clark Tracey's quintet from 1984 to 1992, and continues to play with Tracey, as well as with Tracey's father Stan. As a sideman he has played with many major musicians and groups, including Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley, Georgie Fame, James Carter, Mike Westbrook, Frank Sinatra, Colin Towns, ABC, The The, Erasure, Chris Botti, Wham!, Alphaville, The Moody Blues, Sting, Bucks Fizz, Mike Oldfield, Cleo Laine, Acoustic Alchemy, and XTC.
He leads his own band, featuring an international mix of musicians – Perico Sambeat (alto saxophone; Spain), Bernardo Sassetti (piano; Portugal), Geoff Gascoyne (bass, United Kingdom), and Gene Calderazzo (drums; United States) – for which Barker also composes.
My Funny Valentine
The Guy Barker International Quintet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me smile with my heart
You're looks are laughable, unphotographable
Yet 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?
But don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
"My Funny Valentine" is a classic and timeless jazz standard song that was written by the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The song was first introduced in the Broadway musical "Babes in Arms" in 1937 by Mitzi Green, but it wasn't until Chet Baker's soulful and romantic interpretation of the song in the 1950s that really propelled this song's popularity. The song has since been recorded by countless legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and many more.
Matt Damon's interpretation of "My Funny Valentine" starts with him singing the first verse in a soft and gentle manner with a more delicate accompaniment by the Quintet in the background. He then sings the second verse that highlights the subject’s unique features and personality traits. He emphasizes that his "funny valentine" may not have the perfect physical attributes or public image, but that doesn’t matter to him as he sees him/her as a work of art that’s unphotographable. He also touches upon the subject’s intelligence and asks if they’re smart when they speak. Despite any flaws, Matt Damon sings that his valentine doesn’t need to change anything for him as he will always love them just the way they are.
Overall, the song shows the importance of looking beyond someone's exterior appearance, and embracing their unique qualities and character as the true measure of their worth. The Guy Barker International Quintet does an excellent job of complementing Matt Damon's understated performance with their jazzy instrumentation and musical prowess.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
My dear and amusing beloved, you bring joy to my heart
You make me smile with my heart
You fill me with so much happiness, my heart can't help but smile
You're looks are laughable, unphotographable
Your appearance is so unique and charming that it cannot be captured by a mere photograph. It's so captivating, it's laughable in the best possible way.
Yet you're my favorite work of art
Despite people not being able to understand your beauty, you are a masterpiece in my eyes and heart
Is your figure less than Greek? Is your mouth a little weak?
Are you not conventionally beautiful or perfect? Do you have flaws that society deems as unattractive or undesirable?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?
However, when you speak, you reveal an intelligence and wit that surpasses any physical beauty
But don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me
I love everything about you, flaws and all. Please, never change yourself for me.
Stay little valentine, stay
My affection for you will continue to grow and remain strong, so please stay in my life, dear valentine.
Each day is Valentine's Day
I cherish and love you every day, not just on the designated holiday of Valentine's Day.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind