Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. You probably just hummed the next line in your head without even trying. It’s an involuntary reflex at this point. When Oscar Hammerstein II sat down to write my favourite things sound of music lyrics, he wasn't just making a list of nice stuff; he was crafting a psychological anchor that would keep The Sound of Music relevant for over half a century.
Most people think of it as a Christmas song now. Funny, right? There isn’t a single mention of Christmas in the whole track. No Santa. No reindeer. No birth of Jesus. Just mittens and brown paper packages. Yet, every December, it’s everywhere.
The Weird History of My Favourite Things Sound of Music Lyrics
The song didn't actually start in a bedroom during a thunderstorm. In the original 1959 Broadway production starring Mary Martin, Maria sings this to Mother Abbess in her office before leaving the abbey. It was meant to be a moment of character development—a way to show Maria’s child-like innocence before she faced the von Trapp children.
Then the 1965 movie happened.
Director Robert Wise and the production team realized the song worked better as a tool to calm frightened children. So, they moved it. Julie Andrews belts it out in a thunderstorm, and suddenly, the song became a global phenomenon. It’s a masterclass in songwriting. Hammerstein used a specific "list song" technique that Vaudeville performers loved, but he elevated it with sophisticated imagery.
The structure is brilliant. It’s mostly in a minor key (E minor, if you’re a music nerd), which feels slightly haunting or melancholic. But when the lyrics shift to the "favourite things," the music brightens up. It’s a musical representation of finding hope in the dark.
Why We Get the Lyrics Wrong
People constantly mess up the order. Is it copper kettles first or whiskers on kittens? It’s whiskers on kittens. Honestly, the imagery is a bit chaotic if you actually look at it. You’ve got cream-colored ponies followed immediately by crisp apple strudels. It’s a sensory overload.
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Here is the thing: the lyrics are deeply rooted in a specific European aesthetic. Hammerstein was evoking a very particular "Old World" Salzburg feeling. Schnitzel with noodles? That’s a real dish, though usually, they aren't served together in a way that makes a "favorite" meal for most modern palates. But in the context of the 1930s setting, these were luxuries.
- Raindrops on roses
- Whiskers on kittens
- Bright copper kettles
- Warm woolen mittens
- Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These aren't just random objects. They are tactile. You can feel the wool. You can smell the strudel. That’s why the my favourite things sound of music lyrics stick. They trigger sensory memory.
The Coltrane Connection: How Jazz Changed the Song
If you want to understand why this song is a masterpiece, you have to look outside the movie. In 1961, John Coltrane released a 13-minute jazz version of "My Favorite Things."
It was a risk.
He took a "square" Broadway tune and turned it into a modal jazz exploration. He played the soprano saxophone, an instrument that was largely ignored in jazz at the time. This version is what actually cemented the song’s place in the Great American Songbook. It proved the melody was robust enough to handle intense improvisation. Coltrane saw the inherent tension in the minor-to-major shifts that Richard Rodgers composed.
Without Coltrane, the song might have stayed trapped in the world of musical theater. Instead, it became a standard. It's been covered by everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Ariana Grande (who sampled it for "7 Rings").
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The Darker Meaning Most People Miss
The final verse is the most important part of my favourite things sound of music lyrics.
"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad..."
This isn't just a happy song. It’s a survival tactic. The lyrics acknowledge pain, fear, and sadness. The "favourite things" are a shield against the "dog bites" of life. Given that the backdrop of the story is the rise of the Third Reich and the Annexation of Austria, those "dog bites" were literal threats of violence and political upheaval.
Maria isn't being ditzy. She’s being resilient.
The song teaches cognitive reframing. It’s basically an early 20th-century version of a gratitude journal. When you're overwhelmed by the "bad," you intentionally pivot your focus to the "good." It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s why parents still sing it to kids today during storms.
Modern Pop Culture and the "7 Rings" Shift
In 2019, Ariana Grande took the melody and turned it into a consumerist anthem. Instead of "brown paper packages," she sang about buying Diamonds and Tiffany's. Some purists hated it. But it showed the enduring power of the hook.
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The Rodgers and Hammerstein estate reportedly gets 90% of the royalties from "7 Rings." That is a massive testament to the value of those original 1959 chords. It’s the same melody, just a different kind of "favourite thing."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Performers
If you’re looking to truly appreciate or perform these lyrics, keep these specific details in mind to avoid the "amateur" traps:
1. Watch the Tempo. Many people rush the list. The magic is in the pauses. The space between "mittens" and "brown paper packages" allows the listener to visualize the item.
2. Focus on the Sibilance. Hammerstein used a lot of "s" sounds (roses, whiskers, kittens, kettles, mittens, strings). This creates a soft, whispering quality that mimics the sound of rain. If you’re singing it, lean into those consonants.
3. Recognize the Cultural Context. Remember that for a family about to flee their home to escape the Nazis, these "favourite things" were the mundane comforts they were about to leave behind forever. It’s a goodbye song as much as it is a happy one.
4. Check the "7 Rings" Connection. If you’re a music student, compare the lead sheet of the original with the trap beat of Grande’s version. The interval jumps are identical, proving that a strong melody can survive any genre shift.
To get the most out of the my favourite things sound of music lyrics, listen to the 1965 soundtrack version first to get the emotional "Maria" context. Then, immediately switch to John Coltrane’s 1961 My Favorite Things album. Hearing the contrast between the Broadway sweetness and the jazz intensity will give you a complete picture of why this song is a pillar of Western music.