My Funny Valentine
“My Funny Valentine” is a classic jazz and pop standard with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It was composed in 1937 and has since become one of the most beloved and enduring pieces in the world of jazz and American music.
The lyrics of “My Funny Valentine” convey a sense of deep and complex emotions. The song is a poignant reflection on love and the imperfections of the beloved. It presents the idea that the person being sung to is not conventionally beautiful but is, in the eyes of the singer, a “funny valentine” with qualities that make them unique and endearing. The opening lines, “My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart,” set the tone for a song filled with introspection and a deep connection between the singer and the subject of the song.
“My Funny Valentine” has been widely recorded and performed by numerous artists in various musical styles, but it is most closely associated with jazz and traditional pop. Notable renditions include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald, among others.
The song’s emotive melody and its poignant lyrics have made it a favorite for vocalists and musicians. “My Funny Valentine” is celebrated for its ability to convey themes of love, vulnerability, and the idea that true beauty lies in imperfection. It continues to be a timeless classic in the realm of American music.