How Lovely To Be A Woman

Ann-Margret in Bye Bye Birdie.

[@josephdragan7734]

I was 10 years old when I first saw this film in '63. Watching Ann Margaret changing her clothes while singing was an emotional /physical rite of passage. More innocent times then, but what a knockout she was!

[@XieYali]

She got that Tumblr look down pat.

[@LaurelLaneBowen]

Why is this so true

[@keyonjr9990]

TRUE

[@Hannah-kn1lx]

She was dressing in all of her boy friends clothes, besides that no one really did. that is why those style jeans are now called "boyfriend" jeans.

[@iknowexactlywhoyouare8701]

XieYali down pat?

[@drivingonthevine]

Ann has an undeniable naughtiness to her face and at the same time she's so sweet and lovely, I have a huge crush on her.

[@zoezr1]

I'm actually playing Kim in my school production of Bye Bye Birdie and this number is so fun but awkward changing in front of the audience 😂❤️

[@Tehehehe18]

My sister was Kim, she just put a sweater over her shirt, and jeans under her skirt, then took the skirt off, an- oh I just realized that this comment is from 4 years ago so you don't need the words of confidence

[@MystMoonstruck]

No! She was pressing, not hiding, her jeans! That's what girls did! Later, when jeans got snugger, we generally had pliers handy to pull up the zipper while lying on the bed. Even snugger, they were never nasty. Even the "bad girls" didn't act like girls started acting later. She just changed from a school outfit to a relaxing-around-the-house one. It was close to how bobby soxers dressed in World War II, sort of cute and tomboyish with still very girly and cute. I loved how we dressed!

[@eloiseockert6561]

Then school aged female children, pre-teen girls and teen girls were NOT allowed to wear jean's or pants of any kind to or in school. Noe almost anything goes including cut up jeans.

[@mrs.herculepoirot7763]

She was just magical in this.

[@nina1522]

She is so adorable! She and Audrey Hepburn are my two favorite actresses from the 50's-60's.

[@animeking68]

I LOVE THIS SCENE, ESPEACAILLY WITH HER SINGING TO HERSELF IN THE MIRROR!!! ANN MARGRET WAS GORGOUS!!!

[@allengumm1157]

I always admired how Ann-Margret succeeded in doing so many bits of business during this number. She had to undress herself during a limited amount of time...while lip-syncing to her recording of the song...then had to "dress" herself. Lady was/is a pro.

[@christinemarie6976]

It's called choreography.

[@mrhyde5280]

It's basically a single take with a small cut-in. I'm sure they wanted both her shoes to land in the back of shot, but oh well...

[@valmacclinchy]

@@christinemarie6976 I'm sure you're just as good as Ann-Margret, right? 🙄

[@realbeautifulbeauty1556]

Never seen this before, that was fantastic & fun to see.

[@invaderzim1414]

"and your skin is smooth and clear" oh really now?

[@JustinLodes]

Avoid dairy. Worst thing for your skin

[@eloiseockert6561]

Sometimes.

[@eloiseockert6561]

@@JustinLodes pizza. Chocolate candy

[@Silentbutterfly23]

I learned everyone got those at different stages I had severe acne all during middle school and everyone else had clear skin then the summer before freshmen mh skin all cleared up and the others got acne I am now in mu mid 30’s and have not had acne since

[@Jalanko13]

@@JustinLodes that’s just Vegan propaganda

[@bigpunkkin]

I love Ann Margret

[@MystMoonstruck]

That's how we pressed jeans! You placed jeans between mattress and springs I guess so we didn't have to iron them and they'd feel softer. We did all sorts of stuff, just like every generation. But, I think we had more fun in the Fifties and Sixties. I was 20 as the Seventies arrived, and the difference was noticeable in just a few years. I'd go back in an instant! If I knew now what I knew then, I'd KNOW there wasn't going to be a nuclear war, that the Wall was going to fall, etc. It was better.

[@Milchenkaa]

You have had a lot lot more fun....today most of youth depressed and not realizing that...everything is fake, show....the social connections are so little, social skills getting worse...

[@Isa-qz9mb]

Hmmm I'm gonna try that!

[@JoanneSgrignoli]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I had a mother who shared all types of the arts with us and musicals, whether in movies or on stage, are my favorite. Ann-Margret is a fantastic actress and woman, even today! This also became a favorite of my daughter and nieces. It's funny and it's enjoyable. We need that in our world today.

[@Milchenkaa]

agree! What astonish me mostly, is how modern Ann Margret looks and behaves...so confident, independent...At least in the movies:)

[@JoanneSgrignoli]

@@Milchenkaa I saw her in Las Vegas in 1978. She's awesome!

[@latinahoney123]

I watched this movie yrs ago my mom got me into it she watched it when she was young I know all the words and songs and haven't seen it in yrs can't believe I found it on here! I loveeeeeeeeeee this shes soo talented and soo pretty and sweet

[@alexalex13131]

Before this film Ann-Margret was an unknown. After, she was a star for life.

[@LM-yn7sv]

Her control and range! ❤

[@doreencellner55]

Right?!! She is inCREDible!! ❤🔥🙌

[@heathervasquez4889]

Does anyone else like the fact that through out the song she describes 'how lovely to be a woman' like for example having curves and then proceeds to hide almost all of her girlish figure by the end of the song.

[@wehoscott]

+BridgetFire7 Yeah! That was kind of the tongue-in-cheek point of the number! So great. She's so hip and happenin' by today's standards!

[@nataleerig]

Yes! Its like she expressed the feeling of all girls.

[@sekonill]

XD Hahahaha

[@eliselauren9859]

Have you seen the full movie?

[@akagabi22]

i love the way she sings it!! i have to learn this song for an audition today

[@9aspengold5]

A wonderful "coming of age" movie. I must have watched this movie hundred's of time.

[@jndancer]

Lovin the flintstone models on the old radio when she's singin! lol!

[@Tainira94]

Lyrics: "When you're a skinny child of 15, wired with braces from ear to ear, you doubt that you will ever be appealing. Then hallelujah you are 16, and the braces dissappear, and your skin is smooth and clear..." Me: "That's not how puberty works..." Lyrics: "How lovely to be a woman, and have one job to do: To pick out a boy and train him, and then when you are through, you made him the man you want him to be." Me: "That's not how relationships work..."

[@welcometogreenaquasglen1846]

Tainira94 Of course that's not how relationships work, but it's how teenages think isn't it? Heck, even adults sometimes imdulge in the fantasy.

[@ajallen9674]

I keep thinking of the "That's Not How This Works! That's Not How Any Of This Works!" meme.

[@user-bs2ru1vy7m]

Tainira94 well those are 60s times when to be a woman was something special and natural. Now we have instagram and so called role models with fake everything and teenage girl look older than they are thanks to these role models

[@Aural4444]

Basically, according to this song, being a woman is all about how you put on makeup, dress, have a pretty figure, and go out with guys to manipulate them. According to this song, being a woman is quite easy compared to the present XD

[@alisvolatpropriis4898]

You mean it doesn’t? 😂

[@katehavlicek4608]

Love this piece! it is full of fun and great music!

[@SilverWings8182006]

She's so cute :)

[@finntracy3235]

why did 51 people look up this specific video and then choose to dislike it?

[@filminginportland1654]

Perhaps they didn't, perhaps it was a suggested video

[@finntracy3235]

Filming In Portland still

[@bentleyr00d]

Finn Sanderfer There are a lot of dickheads out there.

[@cance7984]

+Finn Sanderfer See The First Amendment. Thank you.

[@postpunk_cursed_cat8260]

Well Kim is somewhat a annoying character

[@clementinepeaches]

I actually love the lyrics to this song. Makes me proud to be a lady :)

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Lol

[@petabulmer3317]

As a woman myself, I actually disagree with the lyric about picking a boy and training him. But that's just me. Those were different times, I know...

[@marco4dl15]

Great song and Ann Margaret was so damn hot!! I especially like her powder blue Princess phone lol.. I remember her on the Flintstones. 52 yrs old and the songs still are great.

[@JoanneSgrignoli]

Wow... one of the most beloved songs from this movie and you're worried about her sock not being on her [heel]? This was one of the best movies of all time.

[@psychoboysaz]

She had to do this entire song in one take. Watch the scene again, there is NO breaking or second camera. What a pro she was.

[@Lengo67]

A fun film! See it again if you haven't seen it lately. And see it if you've never seen it! It's a real charmer!

[@cicibushay8558]

+Lengo67, a theater near me is doing this show this summer, and I've never seen it, but it looks good!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I just saw it for the first time last May. It was just after NBC postponed Bye Bye Birdie Live starring J. Lo as Rosie. But I came here because she and her daughter sang a snippet of this song.

[@anttonydamico2578]

What a knockout in every way I’ll pick my jaw off the ground 😍

[@roystonlodge]

I think the message of the tomboy clothes is that she's "comfortable" with Hugo. It isn't a terribly "lustful" relationship, for want of a better term. She saves the "womanly" garb for the man who makes her knees quiver - Conrad Birdie. Bye Bye Birdie is all about subtext. It's actually pretty subversive, trying to sneak stuff past the censors and into a movie that "even a parent would pay to see". I mean, comparatively speaking. You always have to consider the times in which it was made.

[@digitalmimi]

can you imagine NOT staying out after ten? So retro lol :) love her hair as well!!!

[@BrutifulBrandy]

Being a woman is great and this was my first musical! Love you Ann Margret!

[@Pooleman96]

You just have to like the comic irony of the fact that she's putting on guy clothes while singing about the joys of being a woman lol! But playful wisecrack aside, "Birdie" will always be a classic musical and numbers such as this one prove as to why.

[@albacastillavega7008]

"Guy clothes" what?

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

@@albacastillavega7008 Do you have trouble with English? "Guy clothes" means clothing that men wear.

[@Skitdora2010]

@@albacastillavega7008 The argyle socks and Blue Jeans for that era. Nothing masculine about the wool sweater, people in warmer climates might not understand cold weather attire, women up North wore such sweaters too. People in Hollywood at that time might not have understood that point. Elites were always clueless bigots.

[@tannieroachie]

We are doing this production at my church and I was so exited to try out for Kim..... but then I realized......... I have braces...... and I’m 15........ WELL GUESS THAT DREAMS CRUSHED

[@Milchenkaa]

Today you are 16! :)

[@klina7645]

I WISH I was as beautiful and confident as Kim when I was her age!

[@tommaletic]

students dressed up for school back then, even public schools, so afterward, jeans and a comfy sweater were a welcome change.

[@krinay1]

that is an awesome brown sweater!! id so wear it

[@atlascat7]

0:25 everyone else: paying attention to the singing and talking Me: *sees the flintstones in the background* Me: WE'RE THE FLINTSTONE'S! MEET THE FLINTSTONES!

[@gabriellacamiolo632]

I love this song ❤️❤️❤️

[@autumnstevens8715]

I love Ann Margret she is so talented!!

[@richrobust6849]

This is from a musical comedy. It's not meant to be taken seriously, so relax.

[@hollyxmama]

I love this movie, so much.

[@Kash623]

This is my MOVIE!!!

[@jupitergrls]

See that "Princess Phone" on her vanity table....I still have mine & use it!! lol

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Lyrics When you're a skinny child of fifteen, Wide with braces from ear to ear, You doubt that you will ever be appealing. Then Hallelujah! You are sixteen And the braces disappear And your skin is smooth and clear And you have that happy grown-up female feeling. How lovely to be a woman, The wait was well worth while; How lovely to wear mascara And smile a woman's smile. How lovely to have a figure, That's round instead of flat; Whenever you hear boys whistle, You're what they're whistling at. It's wonderful to feel The way a woman feels; It gives you such a glow just to know You're wearing lipstick and heels! How lovely to be a woman And have one job to do; To pick out a boy and train him And then when you are through, You've made him the man you want him to be! Life's lovely when you're a woman like me! How wonderful to know The things a woman knows; How marvelous to wait for a date In simply beautiful clothes! How lovely to be a woman And change from boys to men, To go to a fancy nightclub And stay out after ten. How lovely to be so grown-up and free! Life's lovely when you're a woman like me!

[@heyheyitsJoanna]

I've always wondered, why does she keep her jeans folded up beneath her bed?

[@niceclaup1]

+heyheyitsJoanna It's how you press clothes without an iron... arrange them carefully between your mattress & box springs.

[@iSugarHeart]

+Fiche Microrffr Thats whole new level of Lazy-smart =DD

[@ilovegrellsutcliff2058]

she did that because back then women didn't wear pants or jeans as much because it was " UN proper " so she hid them

[@thwb4661]

@@ilovegrellsutcliff2058 Pants had been in modern women's fashion since 1930s. It's not "unproper" but considered an informal wear in the fifties.

[@lyamainu]

My grandmother in the 50s wasn’t allowed to wear “boys clothes” including jeans. She had to hide them from her mother.

[@ainsleyisbell]

this number makes me wish i lived in the 50s

[@sandy-ke1kr]

That was the sixties.

[@alipali18]

Im playing this role in our school..I loe seeing ann-margaret in this, she is so good!

[@robertchesnosky75]

ANYONE WHO DOESNT AGREE THAT SHE WAS ONE OF THE MOST DROP DEAD GORGEOUS PERSONS WHO EVER WALKED THIS PLANET MUST HAVE DROPPED DEAD LONG AGO.

[@Edward-pu1wt]

And, hugely talented. Sing, dance, act. The epitome of the triple threat.

[@aylinsanchez5401]

When you're a skinny child of fifteen, Wide with braces from ear to ear, You doubt that you will ever be appealing. Then Hallelujah! You are sixteen And the braces disappear And your skin is smooth and clear And you have that happy grown-up female feeling. How lovely to be a woman, The wait was well worth while; How lovely to wear mascara And smile a woman's smile. How lovely to have a figure, That's round instead of flat; Whenever you hear boys whistle, You're what they're whistling at. It's wonderful to feel The way a woman feels; It gives you such a glow just to know You're wearing lipstick and heels! How lovely to be a woman And have one job to do; To pick out a boy and train him And then when you are through, You've made him the man you want him to be! Life's lovely when you're a woman like me! How wonderful to know The things a woman knows; How marvelous to wait for a date In simply beautiful clothes! How lovely to be a woman And change from boys to men, To go to a fancy nightclub And stay out after ten. How lovely to be so grown-up and free! Life's lovely when you're a woman like me!

[@JanetCoop]

It's "wired with braces"...

[@rabbler0user]

1:26 - 1:37 so adorable!! it's you they're whistling at!

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

WOAH THE TIMESTAMPS DIDN'T TURN BLUE

[@MAKEOVERGUY]

Love.

[@SomedaystarMolly]

I have to sing this song for my musical theater class, sooo excited!!!

[@milliondollarredhead]

I never get tired of watching this! Your clips are so crisp & clear! You've asked me how I have so many photos of A-M; I've been collecting her for many, many years. Love your posts! I've put them in my playlist for all to see. Warmly, Red

[@jorgejesuslopez927]

Beautiful!!! Teenage girls are not like that anymore

[@83croissant]

teenage girls never were like that dude. She's an adult

[@manuelorozco7760]

But she's pretending to be a teen

[@princeofalbany]

God, I hate when polticial debates break out in these comments page. Can we just enjoy the song?

[@manuelorozco7760]

I don't blame you. I'm not comfortable talking politics

[@randyventresca4152]

This is how a young girl thinks at that age. She wants to feel attractive. But, someday she must realize her worth goes beyond looks. Of course, this song was probably written in the 1950's. So, its cute but a bit dated. I love the part where Kim zips up. lol

[@marni1445]

This is from 1963--

[@randyventresca4152]

The song was originally written in the 1950's for the stage musical.....or, 1960 at the latest.

[@pasion246]

I honestly think that’s the point of the song, she’s saying all these things about being a “woman” but she’s only 16 and meanwhile changing into clothes that a teenager would wear. I think (and I may be wrong) they were trying to convey the fact that when you’re 16 you think you’re a grownup but you actually still have a lot of growing up to do.

[@maryjames3727]

0

[@Zzzk23]

Meh. Some girls when they were 13/14 claimed they wanted to change a guy when they dated him. But I thought that was bull. If I didn’t like the guy I wasn’t going to date him. Self improvement and inspiration is one thing, but I wasn’t gonna edit this guy entirely

[@mapleshadower]

That's how I found this song! I love the Wall mart version so much.

[@Purplestraw]

Am I the only girl considering singing this if I get a date

[@andreadepre4863]

It's not a bad idea :)

[@MsDisneylandlover]

I am going to buy this on dvd

[@NeonTreesLover49]

I sing this every morning when I get dressed for school! Lol

[@Luncea28]

Wow, I never noticed Fred and Barney Flintstone in her room before!

[@nbenefiel]

I remember my first pair of heels, Christmas the year I was in 8 th grade. I wore them everywhere.

[@twentyfirstcentury21]

i always think of this song when i'm cramping.

[@olivermartinez7648]

I'm auditioning for this role at my local playhouse in May! Already practicing haha

[@miku1385]

---that happy grown-up feeeeeeeemale feeling ! lol

[@franklinstewart1847]

"Wow, all the Actors and Actresses that see this idea of Grease Musicial!!!!"❤😂😂😂

[@BloodyShowers]

True story. In my 3-year high school (Freshman remained in the 3 junior high buildings) we had about 900 freshman over to our building to see our Bye Bye Birdie production (during the school day, happened annually). Anyway our super-hot lead actress actually removed her top during this number and stood there in her bra while she was changing! She was freakishly well endowed too and truthfully, no one could believe their eyes. All in front of the extremely hormonal freshman class! Good times.

[@Mike6E]

I'm 16. If girls who looked like her went to my school, my life would be a much happier one.

[@MAKEOVERGUY]

I meant, I LOVE this scene. How perpetually

[@FM897]

"I really wish that women's liberation never happened." Way to just spit in the face of so many women that have worked hard to defend YOUR rights and freedoms. "Also, I know by being a woman, that if I had a choice, I'd stay home and let my husband work to support me." I'm glad you brought up CHOICE. I'm so very thankful that my female predecessors fought for me to have a choice about my direction in life.

[@diddntuno]

I gotta say like from a modern perspective the lyrics are.. you know.. but if you see this from the perspective of a 16 year old... Any 16 year old girl.... It's not about society's expectations. It's a young womans expectations of life.

[@Robi6942]

LOL I did this in drag!!!

[@yltraviole]

Oh man, this is a great drag song!

[@manuelorozco7760]

LOL I bet you had a lot of fun doing it

[@oklahomorose]

My voice teacher's husband wants to see me sing this song 😉

[@pinkpriss]

I do it for fun every time I crossdress, which is every chance I get!

[@griffin1837]

Robi6942 yes!

[@juliafleming810]

I don't see how being whistled at by boys is a wonderful feeling.

[@cherrycola3604]

Julia Fleming A man probably wrote the lyrics to this haha

[@micheledoage8623]

Julia Fleming Don't knock it unless you've tried it. You young women today need to chill. Relax stay a while.

[@themudkipkingcalvin2400]

Julia Fleming it's a compliment, she likes being complimented. Do you like being complimented?

[@marietrotoir]

When I was a teenager, I was whistled at by girls; I liked it!

[@gileve1205]

As a woman myself, I like it. Especially if I'm well dressed. However, they don't do it anymore... Oh, well.

[@kirstanistrash8440]

At 0:30 you see Fred and Barney on her music box in the top right hand corner.

[@zoezr1]

Well she did guest star in the Flintstones ❤️

[@cherrycola3604]

Lol It's KG my grandmother had those, wonder where those things went!

[@manuelorozco7760]

How come they are there when Bye Bye Birdie is supposed to be set in the late 50's?

[@PRLambert63]

Columbia pictures cartoon promo . Yogi bear is on the chair.

[@definitelybrenna6978]

I thought that was a microwave.

[@RodneytheOperaRat]

0:21 *I see the Flinstones and Yogi Bear right there❤*

[@Katchatiger]

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble are on her phonograph...

[@williamsnyder5616]

It ws a plug for the TV show. Columbia released both "Bye Bye Birdie" and"The Flintstones"on TV.

[@interwebhugs]

im singing this for my schools solofestival(: i ABSOLUTELY LOVE this moviee!(:

[@maggiemccormick7047]

love it

[@strangersxcandy]

at 16 i felt the most awkward i think which is funny considering the song. i just got out of my teens and its now that im starting to realize im a woman. kind of weird noticing the change almost over night. i saw the commercial and had to listen to the original! thanks for posting.

[@JoanneSgrignoli]

For goodness sake, it's a MOVIE! Can't you enjoy the talent and the story without saying something derogatory?

[@luvergurl42]

I have to try out for the Bye Bye berdie musical with theis song and english teacher!

[@rafflesia]

I saw a school production of this show and loved it, but now this song makes me think of that commercial that was playing all the time for a while...you know the one? O.o It had a nice little version of the song too. xD

[@ArisuUsagawa]

Wow, I really like this version! :D

[@brytanniparrett]

When I was a little girl, watching this, I absolutely hated the clothes she changes into, but now that's pretty much my style. Go figure.

[@prittyugly86]

I didn't start feeling like a woman til I was like 28 or so.

[@FleurJuice]

That's actually really handy! I might just incorporate that little tidbit about the jeans into my routine.

[@rabbler0user]

what she was wearing before was waaaayy cuter for a date lol

[@Sparkina]

Annie’s got her some talent

[@Letsdothewave]

ah! i love how the jeans are hidden beneath the mattress

[@MTknitter22]

A simpler time when women were free to admit we enjoy being a girl!!!

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I'm a man and I love to sing this❤

[@BrendanSmallButera]

Im a straight guy and I think this song has quite a nice melody, (Music Major in college)

[@MoonlightLily101]

They may be going on a date, but she wasn't going right away. It was at night, and it seems that it was after school when Hyugo called.

[@ihh002003]

wow lol my and sis (sarah) also sang this song the whole day

[@KolikaLove]

I think it's hilarious that there are no pauses between the phone conversation lines... Just talking as if he can speak REALLY really quickly in that half-a-second she gives.

[@LOLLAUGH14]

love this song

[@apRilL11994]

i do exactly the same thing when i get home from school...minus the high notes.