Or maybe I was wrong …
Even though “My Funny Valentine” was written by Rodgers & Hart for the stage production of Babes In Arms … and even though the character on stage later played by Judy Garland in the movie sings the song on stage to the character on stage later played by Mickey Rooney in the movie … it would appear from yesterday’s comments that Garland never sang the song in the film.
Huh.
Regardless, we will carry on.
Yesterday, I told you that the first stanza of “My Funny Valentine” has been mostly ignored or forgotten. Of course, mostly would imply that the occasional completist does exist. The most famous is probably the amazing Ella Fitzgerald, who included the first stanza onher 1956 songbook album. And yes, Barbra Streisand did the same about 10 years later.
But still, that whole gender-specification thing has kept many a male artist from being entirely thorough in their renditions. Many, but not all …
Because Rufus Wainwright fears no song.
Rufus Wainwright – “My Funny Valentine”
From a compilation released in-store by Starbucks in 2005. Amazon doesn’t have it, but you might have luck on eBay. As he does with most things, Wainwright pulls the shades way down on this song. He could be singing to a lover, but it is just as likely that the lover is long gone and all that’s left is a tear-stained “Dear Rufus” letter.
