2 Little Girls From Little Rock
Marilyn Monroe · Other Songs - Marilyn Monroe
We lived on the wrong side of the tracks.
But the gentlemen friends who used to call,
they never did seem to mind at all.
They came to the wrong side of the tracks.
Then someone broke my heart in Little Rock,
so I up and left the pieces there.
Like a little lost lamb I roamed about,
I came to New York and I found out
that men are the same way everywhere.
I was young and determined to be wined and dined and ermined
and I worked at it all around the clock.
Now one of these days in my fancy clothes,
I'm a going back home and punch the nose
of the one who broke my heart (the one who broke my heart)
The one who broke my heart in Little Rock, Little Rock, Little Rock...Little Rock
I'm just a little girl from Little Rock,
a horse used to be my closest pal.
Though I never did learn to read or write,
I learned about love in the pale moonlight
and now I'm an educated gal.
I learned an awful lot in Little Rock,
and here's some advice I'd like to share:
find a gentleman who is shy or bold,
or short or tall, or young or old..
as long as the guy's a millionaire!
For a kid from the small street I did very well on Wall Street,
though I never owned a share of stock.
And now that I'm known in the biggest banks,
I'm going back home and give my thanks
to the one who broke my heart (the one who broke my heart)
The one who broke my heart in Little Rock!
2 Little Girls From Little Rock
Marilyn Monroe's 1956 recording of "2 Little Girls From Little Rock" stands as a poignant musical tribute to the Civil Rights Movement. The song was originally written by the duo The Chordettes and later covered by Monroe, who infused it with her signature vocal style and emotional depth. Released during a period of heightened social tension, the track addresses the tragic lynching of two African American girls in Arkansas, using the melody to highlight the injustice faced by Black citizens in the United States. While Monroe is best known for her film roles, this recording demonstrates her versatility as a singer and her willingness to engage with serious social issues through her music. The song remains a significant example of mid-century popular music intersecting with political activism.