Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss, June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009) and Mary Ford (Iris Colleen Summers, July 7, 1924 – September 30, 1977) were introduced to each other by Gene Autry in 1946 and married in 1949.
They first appeared in the pop charts in 1950. Between the years 1950 and 1954, Les Paul and Mary Ford had 16 top-ten hits. They had five top-ten hits within nine months. "Tennessee Waltz", "Mockin' Bird Hill", "How High the Moon" (#1 for nine weeks), "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" and "Whispering". From August 1952 to March 1953 they had five more top-ten hits; "My Baby's Coming Home", "Lady of Spain", "Bye Bye Blues", "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and "Vaya Con Dios" (#1 for 11 weeks). Their 1954 version of "I'm a Fool to Care" went to #6, and was featured in a memorable Southern Comfort commercial in 2013 that got over 1 million views on YouTube.
In 2009, they were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Les Paul and Mary Ford are famous for creating a makeshift recording studio in their garage. In their garage studio, they used multitrack recording to record many of their hits including ‘Lover’, ‘Nola’, ‘Brazil’ and ‘Whispering' with only the two of them.
YouTube has a large selection of clips from their syndicated TV show "Les Paul & Mary Ford At Home" (1954-'55).
Les Paul and Mary Ford divorced acrimoniously in December 1964, which also ended the collaboration between the two.
The duo have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Les Paul had hosted a 15-minute radio program, The Les Paul Show, on NBC in 1950, featuring his trio (himself, Ford, and rhythm player Eddie Stapleton) and his electronics, recorded from their home and with gentle humour between Paul and Ford bridging musical selections, some of which had already been successful on records, some of which anticipated the couple's recordings, and many of which presented dazzling re-interpretations of such jazz and pop selections as "In the Mood," "Little Rock Getaway," "Brazil," and "Tiger Rag." Several recordings of these shows survive among old-time radio collectors today.
The show also appeared on television a few years later with the same format, but excluding the trio and retitled The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show (aka Les Paul & Mary Ford At Home) with "Vaya Con Dios" as a theme song. Sponsored by Warner Lambert's Listerine, it was widely syndicated during 1954–55 and was only five minutes long (one or two songs) on film and therefore used as a brief interlude or fill-in on programming schedules. Since Les created the entire show himself, including audio and video, he maintained the original recordings and was in the process of restoring them to up-to-date quality at the time of his death.
I’m Sitting on Top of the World
Les Paul & Mary Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just rolling along, Just rolling along
I'm quitting the blues of the world
Just singing a song, just singing a song
"Glory Hallelujah," I just phoned the Parson
"Hey, Par get ready to call"
Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall
I'm sitting on top of the world
I'm sitting on top of the world
Just rolling along, just rolling along
I'm quitting the blues of the world
Just singing a song, just singing a song
"Glory Hallelujah," I just phoned the Parson
"Hey, Par get ready to call"
Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall
I'm sitting on top of the world
The lyrics to Les Paul and Mary Ford's song "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" speak to a sense of joy and freedom that comes from leaving behind the troubles and sorrows of the world and embracing a new outlook. The singer proclaims that they are "sitting on top of the world" and "just rolling along," indicating a sense of ease and contentment. They declare that they are "quitting the blues of the world" and instead "just singing a song," suggesting a newfound sense of positivity and optimism.
The singer then sings "Glory Hallelujah," indicating a spiritual aspect to their celebration, and tells the Parson, "Hey, Par get ready to call." This line suggests that the singer is ready to share their newfound happiness with others, perhaps by testifying in a church or reaching out to others in need. However, the singer also acknowledges the possibility of falling - just like Humpty Dumpty - indicating that they are aware that the joy they currently feel may not last forever.
Overall, the lyrics to "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" celebrate the power of positivity and the ability to rise above hardship and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting on top of the world
I am in a position of great success and happiness
Just rolling along, Just rolling along
I am enjoying my success and taking things as they come
I'm quitting the blues of the world
I am leaving behind the sadness and negativity of the world
Just singing a song, just singing a song
I am expressing my joy through music
"Glory Hallelujah," I just phoned the Parson
I am sharing my joyous news with my pastor
"Hey, Par get ready to call"
I want my pastor to spread the news of my success
Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall
I acknowledge that my success may not last forever
I'm sitting on top of the world
I am still in a position of great success and happiness
Just rolling along, just rolling along
I will continue to enjoy my success and take things as they come
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WALTER JACOBS VINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Smyth
Magnificent!