About the song
“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is an iconic song from the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” performed by the legendary Marilyn Monroe. This song has etched itself into the annals of Hollywood history, becoming synonymous with Monroe’s glamorous persona and the opulent allure of classic cinema.
Written by the celebrated songwriting duo Jule Styne and Leo Robin, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a dazzling number that captures the essence of 1950s elegance and charm. The song features in the musical “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” which is based on the novel by Anita Loos. It was part of the broader soundtrack that accompanied the film, showcasing a mix of humor, wit, and Monroe’s undeniable star power.
In the movie, Monroe’s character, Lorelei Lee, performs this show-stopping number in a stunning pink gown, surrounded by a troupe of tuxedoed men, each holding large, glistening faux diamonds. The choreography and Monroe’s charismatic performance turned the song into a timeless piece, celebrated for its catchy melody and clever lyrics.
“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” did not chart as a single upon its initial release, primarily because it was part of the film’s soundtrack. However, its influence has been far-reaching. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, including high-profile renditions by Carol Channing, who originally performed it in the Broadway version of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and later pop icons like Madonna, who paid homage to Monroe’s performance in her 1985 music video for “Material Girl.”
The song’s legacy continues to shine bright in popular culture, often referenced or parodied in various forms of media. Its enduring appeal lies in its blend of humor, charm, and the timeless fascination with glamour and wealth. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” remains a testament to Marilyn Monroe’s lasting impact on both music and film, symbolizing a bygone era of Hollywood where spectacle and star power reigned supreme.
Video
Lyrics
The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewels
A kiss on the hand
May be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
A kiss may be grand
But it won’t pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you at the automat
Men grow cold
As girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don’t lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
Tiffany’s
Cartier
Black Starr
Frost Gorham
Talk to me Harry Winston
Tell me all about it
There may come a time
When a lass needs a lawyer
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
There may come a time
When a hard-boiled employer
Thinks you’re awful nice
But get that ice or else no dice
He’s your guy
When stocks are high
But beware when they start to descend
It’s then that those louses
Go back to their spouses
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
I’ve heard of affairs
That are strictly platonic
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
And I think affairs
That you must keep liaisonic
Are better bets
If little pets get big baguettes
Time rolls on
And youth is gone
And you can’t straighten up when you bend
But stiff back
Or stiff knees
You stand straight at Tiffany’s
Diamonds
Diamonds
I don’t mean rhinestones
But diamonds are a girl’s best
Best friend