| "I Enjoy Being a Girl" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Published | 1958 |
| Songwriter | Oscar Hammerstein II |
| Composer | Richard Rodgers |
"I Enjoy Being a Girl" is ashow tune from the 1958Rodgers and HammersteinmusicalFlower 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.
ThoughFlower 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, includingDoris Day,Peggy Lee,Barbara McNair,[1]Pat Suzuki,Lea Salonga,Florence Henderson, andPhranc. The lyrics praise the traditional values of being a woman who longs to be the object of a man's affection.[2]
The original Broadway cast recording from 1958 includes the version sung byPat Suzuki, who originated the role of Linda Low.[3] When the musical was rewritten and revived byDavid Henry Hwang in 2002, Sandra Allen recorded a new version. The version recorded for the1961 film soundtrack is credited to the character (Linda Low) rather than the actress (Nancy Kwan) as it was sung byB. J. Baker, who is not of Asian descent.[4]
The song has beencovered bySarah Jessica Parker in aGap commercial in 2005 andwent viral as the parody "I Enjoy Being Al Gore" (recorded by theCapitol Steps in 1998).[2] ComedianRoseanne Barr released an album entitled "I Enjoy Being a Girl" in 1990, covering the song as its last track.[2][5] The song also appeared in a film starring Barr,Look Who's Talking Too, albeit covered byJodi Benson. It was also covered in Episode 24 of season 3 of "The Muppet Show", whenCheryl Ladd andMiss Piggy bash a dummy andKermit in Ladd's dressing room.[6] On a 1965 episode ofThe Entertainers,Carol Burnett,Chita Rivera andCaterina Valente performed a version of the song on a graveyard set, all costumed asMorticia Addams.[7]
Transgender pioneer and activistChristine Jorgensen notably performed the song in nightclubs during the late 1960s.[8]
