From the Musical “ANYTHING GOES,” 1934.
Words and Music by Cole Porter.
Copyright ©19 Nov 1934.
The sheet music:
Lyrics:
VERSE 1
At words poetic, I’m so pathetic
That I always have found it best,
Instead of getting them 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.
REFRAIN 1
You’re the top!
You’re the Colosseum.
You’re the top!
You’re the Louvre Museum.
You’re the melody of a symphony by Strauss,
You’re a Bendel bonnet,
A Shakespeare 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!
VERSE 2
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:
REFRAIN 2
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 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!