My Girl
The Mamas and The Papas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

I've got so much honey the bees envy me

I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooh

I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl

I've even got the month of May
With my girl

Overall Meaning

The Mamas and The Papas' song "My Girl" is a love song that expresses the joy and happiness that the singer feels in his relationship with his girl. With the recurring phrase "my girl," the song emphasizes the strong connection that the singer has with his partner. The opening lines "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day / When it's cold outside I've got the month of May," sets the tone for the entire song. The singer emphasizes that his love for his girl is so strong that it brings light and warmth to even the coldest of days. He goes on to say, "I've got so much honey the bees envy me / I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees," which illustrates how his love for his girl is greater than any other natural beauty in the world. The song demonstrates that love can conquer all, with the singer stating that he doesn't need "no money, fortune or fame," because his girl is all he needs to find true happiness and contentment in life.

The catchy chorus and upbeat melody make this song an easy one to sing and dance along to. It was a chart-topping hit in 1965 and remains a beloved love song to this day. The song has been covered by several artists over the years, including Otis Redding, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
Despite difficult circumstances, I have something that brings me joy and lightness.

When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
Even during difficult seasons of life, I have a source of warmth and renewal.

I guess you'd say
I suppose you could describe my situation in this way.

What can make me feel this way?
What is the source of this deep contentment and happiness I feel?

My girl (my girl, my girl)
It's all because of my loving and special girlfriend.

Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
Specifically, I am expressing my appreciation for her.

I've got so much honey the bees envy me
My life is full of sweet, delightful things that others wish they had.

I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
Even nature sings a less beautiful melody than the love song I have with my girlfriend.

Hey hey hey
An interjection communicating excitement or enthusiasm.

Ooh
An exclamation of pleasure or satisfaction.

I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I don't crave material possessions, wealth, or status.

I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
Instead, my girlfriend's love and affection are far more valuable than any material possession.

With my girl
Throughout every aspect of my life, my girlfriend is by my side and brings me happiness.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Smokey Robinson, Ronald White

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Eric Springer

10y↑78

The Mama's and The Papa's can do no wrong in my eyes....they are great at ALL they sing

Mick Wilbury

10y↑8

Eric, totally agree with you

Eric Springer

10y↑7

thanks

Oshy

8y↑6

+Mick Wilbury i will agree as well

Todd Martin

8y↑22

I love Michelle's soprano from 1:47 to 2:16. It's piercing so that when the other voices surround it, it still rings pure.

Rosemary Blake

3y↑8

What a great version of a classic from a brilliant group.

FozzieatDetour BillNye

10y↑46

Michelle may be the only one still on this earth, but not the only one left. They're music well always keep them alive.

Nate

4y↑29

This group was way before my time, but I grew up around this music. Some of these songs are better than today's music.

aran125

4y↑4

Blue Nation
💯 %. Beautiful tunes, different times. Peace, love, sex, rock and roll 🎸 ✌️

Gary G

3y↑3

@Blue Nation Some of these songs? Song's of the 60's blow away of today's so called music any day of the week.

thomsboys77

@Gary G OK Boomer 😂

Jack Applegarth

3y↑7

Undoubtedly the greatest harmony group ever , they have given me such joy over the years their clever vocals are unbelievable.

The CCP is a parasite

Better than the Beach Boys? The Eagles? .... the Mamas and the Papas are really good. I'll go no further.

All Town aren’t we

3y↑4

This version is impossible to beat..greetings from 🇬🇧

Anthony Hornby

11y↑12

I really love this version of the brilliant classic, even love it more than the Temptations version

Alex Delarge

3y↑3

I love how they all sing that harmony on the last "I guess you'd say, 'what can make me feel this way'". One of the best moments in their whole catalog.

vIPR

I like the straight shooter and Spanish harlem harmonies....

Laureen Narfason

4y↑6

Love the Mamas and Papas and Love this song. So GREAT to hear it on the Blacklist!!

Matt Reese

11y↑10

I, too, was 16 when "Deliver" came out & I remember picking it up & rushing home to the album. Can you believe stuff like this used to come out on a regular basis? Their version of "My Girl" was certainly one of the highlights--a reworking of a prior hit, just like "Dedicated."

StevieB1362

12y↑13

Wow. What memories! Loved singing along with this whole album on my Longine's hi-fi phonograph (with the diamond stylus) I got for $19.95 when I joined the Columbia Record Club...after bugging & begging mom ALOT ! ! It truly made my life complete & me extra cool. Thanks again mom. & thanks for posting this.

Pat Downs

5y↑11

John was a master at arranging songs.

The Surf & Hot Rod Scene

3y↑2

Brilliant group and recordings. Normally only Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn and Larry Knechtel backing them up and fantastic producer Lou Adler !

Ron SEVENTIESMUSIC

11y↑5

Great song and fantastic photos!!!

Sophie Terrell

8y↑13

I adore Denny he is awesome

StickyFish45

3y↑2

I wish more kids these days knew this music

Mick Wilbury

11y↑7

Vanillasnowflakes, both versions are fantastic, this particular arrangement developed by John Phillips is simply unbelievable... Thank you for your comment

Thomas Bielefeld

11y↑3

Another quality Mick Wilbury´s production.Great sound & slides.

Tammy Donley

8y↑14

Love it...

Matt Reese

11y↑7

Not sure I could say it betters the Temptations original, but it certainly equals it. Wonderful use of male/female harmonizing, particularly in the final verse. Also love the lengthy guitar riff about 2/3 of the way through. Probably my favourite non-hit cut on their somewhat disappointing 3rd album.

VirginSuicide77

9y↑42

Love this version even more than The Temps' original!

Groovy Hannah

5y↑4

My personal favourite by them. But I like all of theirs actually

Gary Drew

6y↑11

What a great voice Denny had and so handsome

Francisca pereira lima

11y↑12

what to say about those wonderbul people? I simply love them.... forever .

Mick Wilbury

12y↑4

StevieB1362, thank you for sharing your memories, I was 16 when the album Deliver was released. Their version of "Dedicated to the one I love" was the "love theme" for me and my first "serious" girlfriend. Funny, it was back in 1967, and after all these years, she still a good friend. Again, thank you Stevie for your comment.

Marina ampò

quanti ricordi, belli e purtroppo anche brutti, ma amo ancora questa canzone

coolsweetgroovy

8y↑12

The Mamas & The Papas rule

Anthony Hornby

11y↑3

Hi Mick I agree that its hard to choose between them but my personal choice of the Mamas & Papas version just has the edge, but maybe I am being biased as I have been a lifelong fan of the Mamas& Papas

STEPHEN CHRISTIAN

4y↑4

amazing all the mamas & p's ive heard & owned i've never heard this damn YT just is insane! How many things I hear & learn

Mick Wilbury

11y↑1

Tony, I feel the same way, I've been a lifelong fan of the Mamas & Papas. You will find a couple of other M&Ps slideshows in my channel. Again, thank you for your comment.

Andrea Masini Luccetti

Una cover ricca di strumentazione e cori intensi rispetto all'originale dei Temptations ....

Andrea Masini Luccetti

Conoscevo molto bene California Dreamin perchè era molto gettonata nei jukebox quando in Italia erano presenti nei locali all'aperto durante l'estate....😊...questa versione invece è una novità.

Russell

6y↑5

sublime

Paulino Padilla Ramirez

La mejor interpretación de My Girl https://youtu.be/NKgnoyxa7kA

Oshy

8y↑9

Michelle Phillips is still alive

TimeRider762

5y↑2

Cass couldn't take off the weight no matter how hard she tried, this is by her own admition. But she still, IMO. Had a pretty face.

Pub60

What a group...there’s 2 great voices and 2 that can get a pass....however the 2 pass voices brought a lot too the table that compensated for not being strong vocalists, having said that...they were not untalented singers.
Perhaps the most real group of the times in the true sense of the hippie lifestyle, coupled with the songwriting, harmonies, solo vocals and production with a new sound for the times they carved a new scene.
On a personal level they fucked up, perhaps Denny should have married Cass, Michelle maybe shouldn’t have had an affair with Denny, John Phillips was a deviant by all reports so that ruins this band for me.
Mamma Cass Elliot, what a woman....what a vocalist!

Sebastien Rogie

2y↑2

That intro

dianne

seriously

Mick Wilbury

11y

Tony, it's very hard to choose between them, thank you for your comment

Jazmin Pulli

💖🎧🥰🎧💖

Mick Wilbury

11y↑2

Thank you Ron !

Colleen Stack

5y↑2

Cass Elliot was the TALENT in this group......

Glenn Mills

And Denny. Sublime Tenor singing lead on
most of their hits.

Barz McNeil

8y↑18

Denny shoulda said yes when cass proposed

PC No

+Barz McNeil A ton of fun.

Awake 7

6y↑3

And maybe she will still alive :(

dianne

that intro … takes me away

Raven Baa

24w

My fav part the begining

aizawabass

10y↑7

LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maria Falcone

Stupenda bellissima my gerl, mi piace di più la loro versione. Cmq nn o ancora capito di chi è my gerl io lo sentita cantare anche da quel comlesso di musicisti di colore e la loro o dei the Mamas The papas? Cmq sia è più bella questa grazie per averla inserita

Oshy

8y↑6

kinda like the song from the Temptations

Billy Angus

8y↑5

Actually, both versions are very good. ^_^

PastorMatthew

8y↑1

Uh, Billy, he never said this was bad.

Oshy

8y↑1

Fun song

Muni Math by Peter Felton

Yep! Same song, slightly different versions. :)

SunsetSix

11y↑3

Who is playing guitar on this piece? Anyone know?

Muni Math by Peter Felton

Either the Wrecking Crew who performed on many of The Mamas And The Papas' studio recordings (and those of other '60s groups as well), or John Phillips himself who played guitar.

justinl458

4y↑2

The blacklist season 4 episode 15 brought me here.

Serena H

10y↑11

great band but how messed up were they??

Groovy Hannah

5y↑4

Serena H as the typical 1960’s band, they did marijuana and smoked tobacco, and just as normal people, they had their troubles (between themselves and others). I don’t know much else, but they have great music.

sim27

5y↑6

@Groovy Hannah Michelle was married to John but was in love with Denny who Cass was also in love with and Denny had an affair with Michelle. I think..

Laureen Narfason

4y↑2

No more messed than many musical groups back then and through the decades.

arlene iardella

3y↑2

Not anywhere near as "messed" up as most groups theses days!!!!!

tom kielty

11y↑2

thank you

Jeffescantube

4y↑1

blacklist?

Mick Wilbury

11y↑2

tom kielty, you're welcome !

SYMPHORIO TK

4y↑4

"Blacklist" anyone???

Tamàs Szabó

4y↑1

Yes when they recognised that Kate is alive.👍🏻🙈

Tamàs Szabó

4y↑1

Yes when Red and Dembe recognised that Kate is alive.

Tamàs Szabó

4y↑1

Greg Francis

7y↑3

TALKIN' ABOUT

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