Although uncomfortable being thought of as a singer, Funicello had a number of pop record hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s, mostly written by the Sherman Brothers and including: "Tall Paul", "First Name Initial", "O Dio Mio", "Train of Love" (written by Paul Anka) and "Pineapple Princess". They were released by Disney's Buena Vista label. Annette also recorded "It's Really Love" in 1959, a reworking of an earlier Paul Anka song called "Toot Sweet". Paul Anka was noted to have a crush on her, however, Walt Disney overprotected Annette, which broke Paul's heart. This resulted in his song "Puppy Love", which was inspired by his hopeless romantic crush on Annette.
In an episode of the Disney anthology television series titled "Disneyland After Dark", Funicello can be seen singing live at Disneyland. Walt Disney was reportedly a fan of 1950s pop star Teresa Brewer and tried to pattern Funicello's singing on the same style. However, Funicello credits "the Annette sound" to her record producer, Tutti Camarata, who worked for Disney in that era. Camarata had her double-track her vocals, matching her first track as closely as possible on the second recording to achieve a fuller sound than her voice would otherwise produce.[citation needed] Early in her career, she appeared on the NBC interview program Here's Hollywood.
Annette Joanne Funicello (October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013) was an American actress and singer. Funicello began her professional career as a child performer at the age of twelve. She rose to prominence as one of the most popular "Mouseketeers" on the original Mickey Mouse Club.[1] As a teenager, she transitioned to a successful career as a singer with the pop singles "O Dio Mio", "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess", as well as establishing herself as a film actress, popularizing the successful "Beach Party" genre alongside co-star Frankie Avalon during the mid-1960s.
In 1992, Funicello announced that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She died of complications from the disease on April 8, 2013.
Tall Paul
Annette and The Afterbeats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writin' on the wall
Everybody knows it
I love Paul
Tall Paul, tall Paul
Tall Paul, he's-a my all
'Nitials on a tree ('nitials on a tree)
Everybody knows it (everybody knows it)
Paul loves me
(Tall Paul) with the king-size arms
(Tall Paul) with the king-size charms
(Tall Paul) with the king-size kiss
(He's my all) he's my all
(Tall Paul is my love, tall Paul is my dream)
(He's the captain of the high school football team)
He's my mountain
He's my tree
We go steady
Paul and me
Tall Paul (with the great big smile)
Tall Paul (with the great big eyes)
Tall Paul, (with the great big kiss)
He's my all
Tall Paul, tall Paul
Tall Paul, he's my all
The song "Tall Paul" by Annette Funicello is a catchy tune about young love and infatuation. The lyrics revolve around a girl expressing her love for Paul, who seems to be tall with a king-size body, arms, charms, and kiss. The girl has expressed her love for Paul by writing on the chalk on the sidewalk and initials on a tree, and everyone knows that she loves him. Paul is also the captain of the high school football team, adding to his charm and popularity.
The lyrics illustrate young love, a time when everything is new and exciting, and small gestures like writing on the sidewalk or expressing feelings for someone can mean the world. The girl's infatuation is clear when she refers to Paul as her all, and the use of repetition in the song emphasizes her deep feelings.
The song's appeal lies in its upbeat rhythm, cute lyrics, and catchy tune, making it a popular song during its time. The innocence and simplicity of the song add to its charm, taking listeners back to a time when love was exciting, and every feeling felt like an adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Chalk on the sidewalk
I've written about my love for Paul on the sidewalk using chalk.
Writin' on the wall
I've written about my love for Paul on the wall using something permanent, like paint.
Everybody knows it
It's not a secret that I love Paul; everyone is aware of it.
I love Paul
I have strong feelings of affection towards Paul.
Tall Paul, tall Paul
Paul is notably tall.
Tall Paul, he's-a my all
Paul means everything to me.
(chalk on the sidewalk)
I restated that I wrote about my love for Paul using chalk on the sidewalk.
('nitials on a tree)
I've also written our initials on a tree as a symbol of our love.
(everybody knows it)
Again, it's not a secret that Paul loves me.
(Tall Paul) with the king-size arms
Paul has very muscular arms.
(Tall Paul) with the king-size charms
Paul has an attractive personality, which people are naturally drawn to.
(Tall Paul) with the king-size kiss
Paul is a great kisser.
(He's my all) he's my all
Paul means everything to me.
(Tall Paul is my love, tall Paul is my dream)
I love Paul so much that he's like a dream come true for me.
(He's the captain of the high school football team)
Paul is known for being the captain of the football team at our high school, which makes him even more attractive.
He's my mountain
Paul is my strength, my support, and my foundation.
He's my tree
Paul is reliable and stable, like a tree that can withstand anything.
We go steady
Paul and I are exclusively dating each other.
Tall Paul (with the great big smile)
Paul has a large and cheerful smile.
Tall Paul (with the great big eyes)
Paul has very big and beautiful eyes.
Tall Paul, (with the great big kiss)
Paul is a fantastic kisser.
He's my all
Paul means everything to me.
Tall Paul, tall Paul
Paul is notably tall.
Tall Paul, he's my all
Paul means everything to me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Roberts Bob, Richard M Sherman, Robert B Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Chalk on the sidewalk
Writing on the wall
Everybody knows it
I love Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
He’s my all
Chalk on the sidewalk
(Chalk on the sidewalk)
Initials on a tree
(Initials on a tree)
Everybody knows it
(Everybody knows it)
Paul loves me
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size arms
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size charms
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size kiss
(He’s my all)
He’s my all
(Tall Paul is my love)
(Tall Paul is my dream)
(He’s the captain of the)
(High school football team)
He’s my mountain
He’s my tree
We go steady
Paul and me
Tall Paul
(With a great big smile)
Tall Paul
(And great big eyes)
Tall Paul
(A great big kiss)
He’s my all
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
He’s my all
Jim Hilliker
Wow. Such a short song. But, it was the song that got the Sherman Brothers career into high gear as songwriters, and noticed by Mr. Disney. They were soon to be the only songwriters ever to be under contract at the Walt Disney Studios.
Jett Carlburg
This was 1959. Only 6 years later The Shermans won 2 Oscars for "Mary Poppins" (Best Original Score and Best Song).
t40onbass
...and to think "Stay" by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs was 3 seconds longer!
Muffs 55mercury
It was only natural for everyone's favorite Musketeer to have a recording career. This went to #7 in 1959 which by then everyone knew rock and roll was here to stay.
Annette had just turned 16 a few months before this was released.
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Chalk on the sidewalk
Writing on the wall
Everybody knows it
I love Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
He’s my all
Chalk on the sidewalk
(Chalk on the sidewalk)
Initials on a tree
(Initials on a tree)
Everybody knows it
(Everybody knows it)
Paul loves me
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size arms
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size charms
(Tall Paul)
With the king-size kiss
(He’s my all)
He’s my all
(Tall Paul is my love)
(Tall Paul is my dream)
(He’s the captain of the)
(High school football team)
He’s my mountain
He’s my tree
We go steady
Paul and me
Tall Paul
(With a great big smile)
Tall Paul
(And great big eyes)
Tall Paul
(A great big kiss)
He’s my all
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
He’s my all
Regina Hyde
This could have been re-released during 1964, as an ode to Paul McCartney!
sstavsky
I think that the "Tall Paul" was a somewhat rhetorical reference to Paul Anka (who was sort of short!).
Big Guy’s 45’s
A good yet short song.
Hal Emmerich
remember when the Mary Poppins guys teamed up with the one Mouseketeer people could name and invented teen punk in 1958 just by talking about how hot Paul Anka was
Calvin Bealer
RIP Ms. Annette Furncello