By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart1937
One of the absolutely timeless Rodgers & Hart compositions, and a perfect example of how the best old standards expressed true, honest emotion without resorting to trite cliche. It was written for the show Babes in Arms, and introduced on stage by Mitzi Green. Accompanied by a lush and thoughtful Rodgers melody, Hart's lyric recounts a love for an individual who may not be perfect, but has captured the author's heart nevertheless. What a difference from contemporary culture's stress on perfection--and a perfect sentiment to keep in mind this Valentine's Day as you spend time with your own funny Valentine...
Lyrics:
My funny Valentine,
Sweet comic Valentine,
You make me smile with my heart.
Your 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.
Recorded By:
Frank Sinatra
Chet Baker
Sarah Vaughan
Bobby Darrin
Miles Davis
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3 comments:
Elvis Costello did a brilliant version of this song, too.
On Glee this week! Love it!
I'll YouTube both of those, curious to check out those renditions. I do know that Matt Damon lip-synched a version of it in The Talented Mr. Ripley, which seemed to be inspired by the Chet Baker recording.
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