You're the Top

Adam Carroll, Cole Porter

About You're the Top

"You're the Top" is a Cole Porter song from the 1934 musical Anything Goes. It is about a man and a woman who take turns complimenting each other. The best-selling version was Paul Whiteman's Victor single, which made the top five. It was the most popular song from Anything Goes at the start with hundreds of parodies. The lyrics are particularly notable because they offer a snapshot as to what was highly prized in the mid-1930s and demonstrate Porter's rhyming ability. Some of the lyrics were re-written by P. G. Wodehouse for the British version of Anything Goes. 


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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 Colosseum,
You're the top! You're the Louvre Museum,
You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss,
You're a Bendel bonnet, a Shakespeart sonnet,
You're Mickey Mouse.
You're the Nile, You're the Tow'r 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, boy, 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 for a person who's just rehearsin'
Well I gotta say this my lad:

You're the top! You're Mahatma Ghandi.
You're the top! You're Napolean brandy.
You're the purple light of a summer night in Spain,
You're the National Gall'ry, You're Garbo's sal'ry,
You're cellophane.
You're sublime, You're a turkey dinner.
You're the time of the Derby winner.
I'm a toy balloon that is fated soon to pop.
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!

You're the top! You're a Ritz hot toddy.
You're the top! You're a Brewster body.
You're the boats that glide on the sleepy Zuider Zee,
You're a Nathan Panning, You're Bishop Manning,
You're broccoli.
You're a prize, You're a night at Coney,
You're the eyes of Irene Bordoni,
I'm a broken doll, a fol-de-rol, a blop,
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 nost of the great Durante.
I'm just in the 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 Waldorf salad.
You're the top! You're a Berlin ballad.
You're a baby grand of a lady and a gent.
You're an old dutch master, You're Mrs. Aster,
You're Pepsodent.
You're romance, You're the steppes of Russia,
You're the pants on a Roxy usher.
I'm a lazy lout that's just about to stop,
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 divine,
You're a Botticelli, You're Keats, You're Shelley,
You're Ovaltine.
You're a boon, You're the dam at Boulder,
You're the moon over Mae West's shoulder.
I'm a 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 the Tower of Babel.
You're the top! You're the Whitney Stable.
By the River Rhine, You're a sturdy stein of beer,
You're a dress from Saks's, You're next year's taxes,'
You're stratosphere.
You're my thoist, You're a Drumstick Lipstick,
You're the foist in the Irish svipstick,
I'm a frightened frog that can find no log to hop,
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!

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Cole Porter

Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre. After a slow start, he began to achieve success in the 1920s, and by the 1930s he was one of the major songwriters for the Broadway musical stage. Unlike most successful Broadway composers, Porter wrote both the lyrics and the music for his songs. more »

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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 Lyrics
The 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 Revivals
This 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 Performances
Dozens 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.
Adaptations
The song has often been rewritten for various performances to include contemporary references, thus keeping it relevant for new audiences.
Original Contribution
Cole 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 Controversy
The 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 Structure
This 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 Versions
The song has been captured in various live audio versions by multiple artists, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Cole Porter's original composition.

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