I Enjoy Being a Girl

Doris Day

About I Enjoy Being a Girl

"I Enjoy Being a Girl" is a show tune from the 1958 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song. It is the showpiece for the character of Linda Low, the lead showgirl. The musical is a comedic love story about growing up Chinese in America, the clash between the traditional values of the old country and the modern ways of America. Though Flower Drum Song was not as successful as other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, the song "I Enjoy Being a Girl" has remained a popular choice for recording vocalists, including Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Barbara McNair, Pat Suzuki, Lea Salonga, Florence Henderson, and Phranc. The lyrics praise the traditional values of being a woman who longs to be the object of a man's affection. It is often considered to be "camp" or "kitsch" and has frequently been performed by drag queens. 


Year:
2005
2:37
119 
#1

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I'm a girl, and by me that's only great!
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy,
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy.

I adore being dressed in something frilly
When my date comes to get me at my place.
Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy,
Like a filly who is ready for the race!

When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I float as the clouds on air do,
I enjoy being a girl!

When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!

I flip when a fellow sends me flowers,
I drool over dresses made of lace,
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face!

I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl like me.

When men say I'm sweet as candy
As around in a dance we whirl,
It goes to my head like brandy,
I enjoy being a girl!

When someone with eyes that smoulder
Says he loves ev'ry silken curl
That falls on my iv'ry shoulder,
I enjoy being a girl!

When I hear the compliment'ry whistle
That greets my bikini by the sea,
I turn and I glower and I bristle,
But I happy to know the whistle's meant for me!

I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl like me.

When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl
I float as the clouds on air do
I enjoy being a girl
When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth but pearl
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl

I flip when a fella sends me flowers
I drool over dresses made of lace
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face

I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male 
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl like me.

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Doris Day

Doris Day (born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff, April 3, 1922) is an American actress, singer, and animal rights activist, who began her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording, "Sentimental Journey", in 1945. After leaving the Les Brown & His Band of Renown to try a solo career, she started her long-lasting partnership with Columbia Records, which would remain her only recording label. The contract lasted from 1947 to 1967, and included more than 650 recordings, making Day one of the most popular and acclaimed singers of the 20th century. In 1948, after being persuaded by Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne and her agent at the time, Al Levy, she auditioned for Michael Curtiz, which led to her being cast in the femal… more »

6 fans

Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song's Origin
"I Enjoy Being a Girl" was first introduced in the 1958 Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song."
Composition
This classic song was composed by the legendary duo, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Doris Day's Version
Not originally performed by Doris Day, she covered it and made it popular in her 1960 studio album "Show Time".
Pat Suzuki's Version
The song was originally performed by Pat Suzuki in the Broadway version of "Flower Drum Song". Her rendition was critically acclaimed.
Peggy Lee's Version
Peggy Lee's version of "I Enjoy Being a Girl" was released in 1960. "[Mink Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_Jazz)", Peggy Lee's album, includes this song.
Cultural Impact
The song has been embraced as an anthem by many women for expressing joy in their femininity.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics express a joyous, naïve, and humorous delight in the traditional feminine roles of the 1950s.
TV and Film
The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including the movie "Corrina, Corrina" and the tv show "Gilmore Girls".
Parodies
A parody of the song, titled "I Enjoy Being Al Gore," was performed by Al Gore at the 2000 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Other Versions
Numerous other artists, such as Lea Salonga and Phranc, have also covered "I Enjoy Being a Girl", each bringing their own unique interpretation to the song.
Associations
The song is often associated with the Miss America Pageant, with many contestants performing it as their talent.
Criticism
Despite its popularity, the song has also received criticism for its reinforcement of traditional gender roles and stereotypes.

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