You're the Top
Cole Porter
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
At words poetic, I'm so pathetic That I always have found it best, Instead of getting 'em off my chest, To let 'em rest unexpressed, I hate parading my serenading As I'll probably miss a bar, But if this ditty is not so pretty At least it'll tell you How great you are. You're the top! You're the Coliseum. You're the top! You're the Louver Museum. You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss You're a Bendel bonnet, A Shakespeare's sonnet, You're Mickey Mouse. You're the Nile, You're the Tower of Pisa, You're the smile on the Mona Lisa I'm a worthless check, a total wreck, a flop, But if, baby, I'm the bottom you're the top! Your words poetic are not pathetic. On the other hand, babe, you shine, And I can feel after every line A thrill divine Down my spine. Now gifted humans like Vincent Youmans Might think that your song is bad, But I got a notion I'll second the motion And this is what I'm going to add; You're the top! You're Mahatma Gandhi. You're the top! You're Napoleon Brandy. You're the purple light Of a summer night in Spain, You're the National Gallery You're Garbo's salary, You're cellophane. You're sublime, You're turkey dinner, You're the time, the time of a Derby winner I'm a toy balloon that's fated soon to pop But if, baby, I'm the bottom, You're the top! You're the top! You're an arrow collar You're the top! You're a Coolidge dollar, You're the nimble tread Of the feet of Fred Astaire, You're an O'Neill drama, You're Whistler's mama! You're camembert. You're a rose, You're Inferno's Dante, You're the nose On the great Durante. I'm just in a way, As the French would say, "de trop". But if, baby, I'm the bottom, You're the top! You're the top! You're a dance in Bali. You're the top! You're a hot tamale. You're an angel, you, Simply too, too, too diveen, You're a Boticcelli, You're Keats, You're Shelly! You're Ovaltine! You're a boom, You're the dam at Boulder, You're the moon, Over Mae West's shoulder, I'm the nominee of the G.O.P. Or GOP! But if, baby, I'm the bottom, You're the top! You're the top! You're a Waldorf salad. You're the top! You're a Berlin ballad. You're the boats that glide On the sleepy Zuider Zee, You're an old Dutch master, You're Lady Astor, You're broccoli! You're romance, You're the steppes of Russia, You're the pants, on a Roxy usher, I'm a broken doll, a fol-de-rol, a blop, But if, baby, I'm the bottom, You're the top!
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Origin and Release"You’re the Top" was written by acclaimed composer and songwriter, Cole Porter. It was first presented to the public for the first time in the hit musical, "Anything Goes" in 1934.
|
Famous LyricsThe lyrics to "You're the Top" includes clever lists and cultural references, mentioning various popular, classical, and high culture items of the time such as an "O'Neill drama", "Whistler's Mama", "Mickey Mouse", as well as referencing several Shakespearean works.
|
Recurring RevivalsThis song continues to be popular through time, and has been incorporated in many revivals of "Anything Goes" and numerous compilation albums of Cole Porter's works.
|
Notable PerformancesDozens of famous singers and actors have performed this song, notably Ethel Merman in the original Broadway musical "Anything Goes", and many others including Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand.
|
AdaptationsThe song has often been rewritten for various performances to include contemporary references, thus keeping it relevant for new audiences.
|
Original ContributionCole Porter originally wrote the song as a duet for a male and female to sing to each other in a lighthearted and humorous way, but it is often performed as a solo number as well.
|
Cultural Significance"You're the Top" has been used in various films and television shows, further cementing its place in cultural history. The song is often associated with the high-spirited liveliness and elegant nature of Porter’s work.
|
Lyrics Change ControversyThe song was almost discarded due to the inclusion of a drug reference. Porter originally wrote "You're the top, you're a Coolidge dollar. You're the top, you're the nimble tread of the feet of Fred Astaire. You're an O'Neill drama, you're Whistler's mama! You're Camembert". However, because the last two lines were considered too risqué for a 1930s audience, Porter was asked to change the lyrics.
|
Comedic StructureThis song stands out for its listing-style lyrics, which create a comedic back-and-forth between the performers. Each line escalates in unexpected ways, leading to a surprise punchline.
|
Live VersionsThe song has been captured in various live audio versions by multiple artists, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Cole Porter's original composition.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"You're the Top Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/254459/Cole+Porter/You%27re+the+Top>.
Discuss the You're the Top Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In