Music: Richard Rodgers- Lyrics: Lorenz Hart
Origin of the song
On 14 April 1937 Babes in Arms was released in the Shubert Theatre of New York, which obtained a significant success and had two hundred and eighty nine performances. In the first act of the play, Mitzi Green sang 'My Funny Valentine' to Ray Heatherton.
It was the first time that Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote the whole script of a musical, with the dialogues, the music and the lyrics of the songs. Its plot combined a series of musical acts with a swift and uncomplicated storyline. He is also remembered for the brilliant ballet the choreographer George Balanchine created for the scene of the 'dream'. The original production of Babes in Arms included as well the songs 'Babes In Arms', 'I Wish I Were In Love Again', 'Where Or When', 'Lady Is A Tramp' and 'Johnny One Note'.
In 1939, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer adapted the musical for the big screen. Babes in arms was directed by Busby Berkeley and starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney; he only kept three songs from the original show, 'Babes in Arms', 'I Wish I Were In Love Again' and 'Where Or When'.
Versions in the top charts
DATE OF ENTRANCE
PERMANENCE WEEKS
HIGH POSITION REACHED
Hal McIntyre Orchestra
Ruth Gaylor (voc)
Jazz. Outstanding performances
MUSICIANS WHO TOOK PART IN THE RECORDING
Gerry Mulligan Quartet
Chet Baker (tp), Gerry Mulligan (bars), Carson Smith (b), Chico Hamilton (d)
Chet Baker (tp), Gerry Mulligan (bars), Carson Smith (b), Larry Bunker (d)
Charlie Parker with Stan Kenton Orchestra
Charlie Parker (as), Stan Kenton (p, dir), Sam Noto, Vince Minichelli, Buddy Childers, Don Smith, Stu Williamson (tp), Milt Gold, Joe Ciavardone, Frank Rosolino, George Roberts (tb), Charlie Mariano, Dave Schildkraut, Mike Cicchetti, Bill Perkins, Tony Ferina (r), Bob Lesher (g), Don Bagley (b), Stan Levey (d)
Ruby Braff & Ellis Larkins
Ruby Braff (cnt), Ellis Larkins (p)
Miles Davis (tp), John Coltrane (ts), Red Garland (p), Paul Chambers (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)
1959.02.??
Art Farmer (tp), Gerry Mulligan (bars), Bill Crow (b), Dave Bailey (d)
Bobby Timmons Trio
Bobby Timmons (p), Sam Jones (b), Jimmy Cobb (d)
Bill Evans & Jim Hall
Bill Evans (p), Jim Hall (g)
Miles Davis (tp), George Coleman (ts), Herbie Hancock (p), Ron Carter (b), Tony Williams (d)
Paul Desmond Quartet
Paul Desmond (as), Ed Bickert (g), Don Thompson (b), Jerry Fuller (d)
Art Blakey Jazz Messengers
Wynton Marsalis (tp), Bill Pierce (ts), Robert Watson (as), James Williams (p), Charles Fambrough (b), Art Blakey (d)
Jim Hall Trio
Jim Hall (g), Steve La Spina (b), Joey Baron (d)
Enrico Pieranunzi Trio
Enrico Pieranunzi (p), Marc Johnson (b), Steve Houghton (d)
Fred Hersch Trio
Fred Hersch (p), Drew Gress (b), Tom Rainey (d)
Jacky Terrasson Trio
Jacky Terrasson (p), Sean Smith (b), Eric Harland (d)
Frank Sinatra (voc), Nelson Riddle Orchestra
Chet Baker (tp, voc), Russ Freeman (p), Carson Smith (b), Bob Neal (d)
Ella Fitzgerald (voc), Buddy Bregman Orchestra
Carmen McRae (voc), Ray Bryant (p), Ike Isaacs (b), Charles 'Specs' Wright (d)
Anita O'Day (voc), Bill Catalano, Jules Chaiken, Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Sam Noto (tp), Jim Amlotte, Bob Enevoldsen, Kent Larsen, Archie LeCoque, Ken Shroyer (tb), Lennie Niehaus, Bud Shank (as), Richie Kamuca, Bill Perkins (ts), Jack Dulong (bars), Marty Paich (p), Red Kelly (b), Mel Lewis (d), Russ Garcia (dir)
Sarah Vaughan (voc), Carl Schroeder (p)
Shirley Horn Trio
Shirley Horn (voc, p), Charles Ables (b), Steve Williams (d)
Chucho Valdés
Chucho Valdés (p), Francisco Rubio Pampín (b), Raúl Pineda Roque (d), Roberto Vizcaíno Guillot (cng, d), Mayra Caridad Valdés (voc)
On cinemas
The song 'My Funny Valentine' is included in the soundtrack of the following movies:
TITLE IN SPAIN
PERFORMERS OF THE SONG IN THE FILM
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
Los caballeros se casan con las morenas
Jeanne Crain (dubbed by Anita Ellis)
Pal Joey
Kim Novak (dubbed by Trudy Erwin)
Sharky's Machine
La brigada de Sharky
Chet Baker Quartet; Julie London
Click, Click
The Fabulous Baker Boys
Los fabulosos Baker Boys
Malicia
Gene Harris
When a Man Loves a Woman
Cuando un hombre ama a una mujer
Waiting To Exhale
Esperando un respiro
The Talented Mr. Ripley
El talento de Mr. Ripley
Tierney Sutton
Perfect Stranger
Seduciendo a un extraño
James 'D-Train' Williams
Bikur Ha-Tizmoret
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