Talk:My Funny Valentine/Archive 1

Lyrics
Quoting the complete lyrics of a copyrighted song (as opposed to a brief extract) is copyright infringement. Saving objection, I propose to remove the lyrics from this article. Dermot 17:54, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * go ahead. wikipedia's not a place for song lyrics, anyway... ka1iban 18:46, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Cover songs
Are the last four `covers of note' really `notable'? Or are they just mentioned because they are recent? At least I think so, someone singing the song in an Idols-contest doesn't seem very notable to me. I think the `covers of note' should be a list of songs which have proven to influential recordings, over time. Therefore making it hard for recent songs to appear in such a list. But I might be wrong of course, anyone who shares/disagrees upon this opinion? Jaapkroe 18:36, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

OR?
"The third stanza seems quite odd at first. It begins with a series of accusatory and rude questions that one wouldn't necessarily expect in a romantic tune. However, on second glance, one might guess what Hart was trying to accomplish. His song resonates with all the normal folks - the unsmart, the weak, and those without the figures of gods/goddesses. It quickly apologizes for the odd posers with a couple of negations to settle the nerves and then ends with the romantic sentiments of the last two verses."

a lot of this paragraph seems the writer's own opinions. i fixed it up -- left in the "one wouldn't necessarily expect" part, which i suppose strictly is opinion but seems general enough -- and took out about half of it. they seem like fairly obvious and reasonable opinions, though, so i'm sure if anyone were so inclined they could find somewhere to cite from. also changed 'posers' and 'negations' which sounded odd to me. that might just be a dialect thing though. --dan 05:42, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

Sung vs instrumental
the list of sung versions is informative; are there any instrumental versions? 207.29.128.130 11:56, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

The '63 Jim Hall/Bill Evans album Undercurrent has two really nice renditions of it.208.3.91.194 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 15:31, 16 August 2010 (UTC).

Original research - need refs
Please provide WP:RS for the below removed text:

The song reemerged in the 1950s and was performed by most of the jazz musicians and popular vocalists of the time including: Mary Kaye Trio,Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, Tony Bennett, Ben Webster, Buddy Rich, Anita O'Day, Shirley Horn, Mel Tormé, Sammy Davis, Jr. and many others.

The song made it to the top of the charts when Chet Baker released a very popular and influential version (released on the album My Funny Valentine / Blue Note Records). His soft, delicate and serene delivery introduced the world to his singing skills (he was previously known for his trumpet, also displayed on this recording). Baker is still associated more with "My Funny Valentine" than with any other tune.

In 1959 The Mary Kaye Trio released a version of "My Funny Valentine" on their debut album on Decca named, "A Night In Las Vegas With The Mary Kaye Trio" It was known that Louis B. Armstong had played her version in his dressing rooms on the road before his nightly performances. He had several copies which he wore out over time. He and Gene Austin in 1961 inducted Mary Kaye into the "Musicians Hall Of Fame" along with Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn for "Best Female Vocalists Of An Era" and closed the category down thereafter.

Baker's version of the song leaves out the introductory verse and begins with the chorus ("My funny Valentine, sweet comic valentine"). As a result, many subsequent version also skip the verse. The most notable exception to this rule are songs recorded from the many performances of the musicals Babes in Arms and (in the film version) Pal Joey. (The verse is clearly a female voice speaking about her man, giving male singers an additional reason to omit it.)

The B-section, or bridge, is a good example of the quirky approach of lyricist Hart. It begins with a series of accusatory, even rude questions that one wouldn't necessarily expect in a romantic tune. It quickly apologizes for the odd questions with assurances, and then ends with the romantic sentiments of the last two verses.

♫ Cricket02 (talk) 22:47, 9 July 2009 (UTC)

List of appearances
I've removed the list to the talk page for now. Actual list numbers over 1000 entries, and informal consensus on song articles appears to be against including unsourced lists like this. Viriditas (talk) 03:48, 13 February 2010 (UTC)


 * Article content does not belong on the Talk pages. This belongs back in the main page or on a separate page.  The fact that not everything is properly sourced just means that it needs improvement -- not that it should be removed entirely.  -- David Booth 209.6.50.145 (talk) 18:39, 14 November 2014 (UTC)


 * Notable recordings
 * (1952) Chet Baker had a hit with Gerry Mulligan
 * (1955) Frank Sinatra included it on his album Songs for Young Lovers, and it became a performance favorite.
 * (1956) Ella Fitzgerald sang it on her album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook.
 * (1956) Jimmy Giuffre included it on his album The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet.
 * (1957) Mary Kaye Trio recorded it on their Coral album Music On A Silver Platter.
 * (1958) The Miles Davis Sextet recorded it on their album '58 Miles, demonstrating the unique modal approach of Davis and pianist Bill Evans.
 * (1959) Johnny Mathis sang it on his album Open Fire, Two Guitars.
 * (1960) Dinah Shore - recorded the song on her album with Andre Previn, Dinah Sings, Previn Plays. The track was included on the compilation CD Blue Valentines, From Blue Note with Love, which also includes the Chico Hamilton and Chet Baker versions of the song.
 * (1960) Bobby Timmons on his first solo album This here is Bobby Timmons.
 * (1962) Bill Evans and Jim Hall recorded the song on their album Undercurrent. Unusually, they take it at a lively tempo, around 190 beats per minute.
 * (1965) Miles Davis released a live album titled My Funny Valentine.
 * (1967) The Supremes recorded it on their album The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart and it featured Mary Wilson sharing lead vocals with Diana Ross.
 * (1967) Barbra Streisand chose it as the opener track for Simply Streisand
 * (1972) Johnny Hartman sang it on the album Hartman meets Hino with Terumasa Hino — Preceding unsigned comment added by 115.163.186.80 (talk) 04:04, 7 November 2015 (UTC)
 * (1976) Lena Horne sang it on her album, Lena, A New Album
 * (1976) Dolly Parton performed the song on her 1970s variety show, though she later stated that it was a bad choice, as the jazz standard was not suited to her voice or style.
 * (1979) Elvis Costello sang it on two singles and it was included in his compilation Taking Liberties the next year.
 * (1983) Rickie Lee Jones sang it on her album Girl at Her Vulcano.
 * (1985) Nico sang it on her final solo album, Camera Obscura.


 * (1987 Billy Eckstine sang on his album Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter -Grammy Award Nomination


 * (1987) Linda Ronstadt sang it on her final album with Nelson Riddle For Sentimental Reasons. She included the first verse.
 * (1990) Carly Simon sang it on her album My Romance.
 * (1994) Van Morrison sang it on his album A Night in San Francisco.
 * (1994) Julie Andrews sang it on her album Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers.
 * (1995) Anita Baker sang it on her album "Rhythm of Love".
 * (1995) Chaka Khan sang it on the album Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album.
 * (1997) Shirley Horn sang in on her album I Remember Miles.
 * (1999) Herman Brood sang it on his (big band)album Back on the Corner.
 * (1999) Damien Saez sang it on his album Jours étranges.
 * (2001) Kristin Chenoweth sang it on her album Let Yourself Go.
 * (2003) Tom Barman sang "My Funny Valentine" for his project with Guy van Nueten
 * (2003) Kronos Quartet recorded the song for the The Company soundtrack.
 * (2004) Johnny Dorelli sang "My Funny Valentine" in his solo album Swingin'.
 * (2004) Angela McCluskey sang it on her album The Things We Do'.
 * (2004) Ronnie Milsap recorded the song on his album Just for a Thrill.
 * (2005) Rufus Wainwright chose it for the Starbucks compilation album, Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs.
 * (2005) Over the Rhine concluded their album Drunkard's Prayer with the song.
 * (2005) Justin Guarini included it on the album Stranger Things Have Happened.
 * (2005) Rod Stewart for the album Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV.
 * (2006) Paulson covered it on their album Variations.
 * (2006) Bradley Joseph released an instrumental arrangement on his album, Piano Love Songs.
 * (2007) Thomas Quasthoff included this song in his album "The Jazz Album - Watch what happens".
 * (2007) Joey McIntyre included this song in his album "Talk to Me".
 * (2007) Tiger Lillies covered this song on their album Urine Palace.
 * (2009) Roy Hargrove included this song on his album Emergence.
 * (2009) Curtis Stigers included this song on his album Lost In Dreams.

A movie was released in 2005 entitled Funny Valentine.
 * Movie performances
 * Babes in Arms (1939) - performed by Judy Garland
 * Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) - performed by Jeanne Crain
 * Pal Joey (1957) - performed by Kim Novak
 * Handicap (1968) - Duke Ellington
 * Sharky's Machine (1981) - includes versions by both Chet Baker and Julie London
 * Let's Get Lost (1988) - Biography of Chet Baker
 * The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) - performed by Michelle Pfeiffer
 * Malice (1993) - performed by Gene Harris
 * When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
 * Waiting to Exhale (1995) - performed by Chaka Khan
 * The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - performed by Matt Damon, with Jude Law playing the saxophone
 * The Cooler (2003) - performed by Tierney Sutton
 * The Company (2003) - 5 different versions performed by: Marvin Laird and Clay Ruede, Elvis Costello, Lee Wiley, Chet Baker, and Kronos Quartet.
 * Ashura (2005) - performed by Sting
 * The Band's Visit [2006]
 * Perfect Stranger (2007)


 * Television performances
 * The 30 Rock episode "Black Tie" which aired February 2, 2007 features the song "My Funny Valentine" in a scene where Gerhardt Hapsburg commits suicide.
 * Session 15 of the popular anime series Cowboy Bebop is named after the song, revealing that it also gave the character Faye Valentine her name.
 * A Full House episode, "Joey's Funny Valentine", is named after this song.
 * The song is featured in the pilot of the television series John Doe, played on piano by the main character.
 * "My Funny Valentine" is featured in an episode of Friends, on a mixtape that Janice makes for Chandler as a Valentine gift.
 * A Home Improvement episode, "A Funny Valentine", is named after this song. A character in this episode also sings this song.
 * Late R&B singer Aaliyah sang the song in the television talent contest Star Search.
 * Terrence 'T.C.' Carson performed his rendition of the song on an episode of Living Single.
 * In a TAI TV episode, William Beckett was heard singing some of this song while in the shower.
 * On the 14th of February, 1976, Peter Boyle sang the song as part of his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live.
 * The song has been sung on the hit television show American Idol by Season 4 contestant Constantine Maroulis, Season 6 contestant Melinda Doolittle, and Season 8 contestant Matt Giraud.
 * The song was sung by Lucie Jones on the 6th series of X-Factor UK, during a big band themed show.
 * In "Marco Polo (The Sopranos)," Little Carmine's rivals sink his boat, "My Funny Valentine," during a power struggle ignited by the death of Carmine Lupertazzi, Senior.
 * Lucie Jones performed this song during Big Band week in the third week of the X Factor.

May 2013

 * (1952) Chet Baker with Gerry Mulligan
 * (1955) Frank Sinatra on Songs for Young Lovers
 * (1956) Ella Fitzgerald on Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook
 * (1956) Jimmy Giuffre on The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet
 * (1956) Miles Davis several times: on Cookin' (1956); 1958 Miles demonstrating the modal approach of Davis and pianist Bill Evans; live on My Funny Valentine (1964).
 * (1957) Jimmy Smith on his live album Groovin' at Small's Paradise
 * (1958) Dolores Duran on A Noite de Dolores
 * (1965) Sergio Franchi on his RCA Victor Album tribute to The Songs of Richard Rodgers
 * (1967) Barbra Streisand on the album "Simply Streisand"
 * (1967) The Supremes on The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart
 * (1970) Gene Ammons and Dexter Gordon don their live album The Chase
 * (1973) Jerry Garcia with keyboard player Merl Saunders on Live at the Keystone, providing a psychedelic reading of the tune
 * (1979) Elvis Costello solo vocal with guitar, released as B-side of single Oliver's Army
 * (1985) Singer-songwriter Nico on Camera Obscura, a singular jazz standard on an album of progressive jazz, rock and electronica
 * (1982) Dianne Reeves on Welcome To My Love
 * (1986) Linda Ronstadt on For Sentimental Reasons
 * (1986) Billy Eckstine on Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter
 * (1987) Guitarist Larry Coryell on Toku Do
 * (1988) Trombonist J.J. Johnson on the live album Standards: Live at the Village Vanguard
 * (1990) Chaka Khan: an updated version for the Waiting to Exhale (1995) soundtrack
 * (1989) The song is played over the closing credits of the movie The Fabulous Baker Boys, sung by Michelle Pfeiffer
 * (1990) Björk and tríó Guðmundar Ingólfssonar
 * (1990) Carly Simon on My Romance
 * (1994) Anita Baker on Rhythm of Love
 * (1995) Rachelle Ferrell on First Instrument
 * (1996) Dianne Reeves on The Palo Alto Sessions 1981-1985
 * (1999) French singer-songwriter Damien Saez on Jours Etranges
 * (1999) Matt Damon sang this song on the motion picture soundtrack The Talented Mr. Ripley, accompanied by The Guy Barker International Quintet
 * (2001) Kristin Chenoweth on Let Yourself Go
 * (2001) Gideon Emery covered the song from his album Standard Ease
 * (2002) Guitarist Chuck Loeb covered the song from his album My Shining Hour
 * (2002) Contemporary jazz-fusion group Pieces of a Dream on Love's Silhouette
 * (2003) Trumpeter Chris Botti on A Thousand Kisses Deep
 * (2008) Yahzarah performed the song live nearly in whistle tone, which appears on Marcus Miller's Live at Blues Alley and Flo (For the Love Of) Romance album
 * (2009) Joshua Bell and singer Kristin Chenoweth on At Home with Friends
 * (2009) Matt Giraud covered the song on American Idol. Giraud's performance garnered praise from judge Simon Cowell, calling it "absolutely brilliant."
 * (2011) Jenna Ushkowitz in Fox series Glee
 * (2011) Vanessa Williams in the TV series Desperate Housewives
 * (2011) Gary Burton on Common Ground
 * Keith Jarrett
 * (2012) James Pickens, Jr. and Loretta Devine in the TV series Grey's Anatomy, episode Hope For The Hopeless
 * (2012) Recording star Melanie C recorded the song for her musical theatre-inspired album Stages
 * (2013) American Idol season 12 finalist Amber Holcomb sang the song twice during the Top 40 week and the Top 4 week.

Reception
In a 2006 survey of people between 10 and 49 years of age in Japan, Oricon Style found "My Funny Valentine" to be the fifth most popular Valentine's Day song in Japan. The most popular song was Sayuri Kokushō's 1986 debut single "Valentine Kiss" followed by "Love Love Love" from Dreams Come True, "Valentine's Radio" from Yumi Matsutoya, and "Happy Happy Greeting" from the KinKi Kids.

"simple structure"
the article states that this song has a simple structure yet to someone who is only comfortable with handful of voicings of extensions (so far, I'm working on it!!) it seems pretty complicated. Relative to a basic I-V rock progression or even a basic twelve bar blues, this progression seems downright convoluted. My guess is that the author meant that it is simple in the sense that the tonal center isn't challenged very much, that it (mostly) stays in the same key. Could this be clarified? On a second note, this progression is not the same as the one in my Real Book (7th edition) and I wonder why this version has the extra measures and different substitutions. Considering the Real Book's publishers' have to pay royalties I'm sure it is at least "semi-official"208.3.91.194 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 03:34, 8 August 2010 (UTC).
 * Might mean that the chords follow an aaba format mostly, except for the last 4 bars. I've got a 6th edition Real Book, it says the last chord is Ebmaj7.


 * 8/14/2020: I removed the "simple structure" comment and added that the spelling of chords varies.Marty Mangold (talk) 11:55, 14 August 2020 (UTC)

Steyn's Song of the Week Extra
I added an interesting link in the further reading to My Funny Valentine: Steyn's Song of the Week Extra. Maybe someone will want to use it to add to the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wnmyers (talk • contribs) 01:24, 15 February 2014 (UTC)