Marilyn Monroe – Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Song by Marilyn Monroe
Released 1953
Songwriter Leo Robin
Composer Jule Styne

Marilyn Monroe performed the song in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Most of the song in the film is Monroe’s own voice, and sources differ on how much help she had. The American Film Institute, TCM, and a biography of director Howard Hawks state the only help she had was for the brief high-pitched introduction to the song (usually not included in singles), which was sung by Gloria Wood. However, a 2007 article in The New York Times recounting the career of famous ghost singer Marni Nixon claims Nixon dubbed the phrase “These rocks don’t lose their shape.”

Monroe’s performance, ranked the 12th best film song of the century by the American Film Institute, has been referenced by entertainers ranging from Madonna and Kylie Minogue to Geri Halliwell and Anna Nicole Smith. The music video for Madonna’s “Material Girl” references Monroe’s “Diamonds” gown as she is surrounded by male dancers. The song was sampled by Megan Thee Stallion and Normani in 2020 for “Diamonds”, with the music video featuring a set and costumes evoking Monroe’s film performance. Monroe’s vocals can also be heard in the background throughout the song.

Australian Pop singer Kylie Minogue covered the song in 1995 and then re-recorded it in 2004 for the film White Diamond.

Nicole Kidman sang a modified version of this song for Moulin Rouge! in 2001. Called “Sparkling Diamonds,” the song eliminated any overt 1950s references – such as the names of jewelers or the modern Automat – to reflect the film’s turn-of-the-20th-century time period.

The song has also been borrowed by many Jazz singers. Lena Horne included it on her 1958 album Give the Lady What She Wants, while Julie London recorded it in 1961, followed by Eartha Kitt in 1962.