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
These lyrics are about a person who is experiencing a great sense of joy and fulfillment, and feels as though they are on top of the world. The repetition of the phrase "just rolling along" emphasizes the carefree attitude of the singer, who has moved beyond the sorrows and struggles of everyday life. The choice to "quit the blues of the world" signifies a deliberate effort to distance oneself from negative emotions and embrace positivity.
The line "Glory Hallelujah, I just phoned the Parson" suggests that the singer is grateful for their success and wants to share it with others, perhaps by giving thanks in a religious context. The subsequent line "Hey, Par get ready to call" implies that the singer wishes to spread their message of joy to a larger audience.
The final line, "just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall," suggests that the singer is aware of the fleeting nature of their current state of happiness, and that they may eventually experience a setback or hardship. However, the repetition of "I'm sitting on top of the world" underscores the importance of enjoying the present moment and appreciating the good times while they last.
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
Things are going smoothly for me and I am enjoying my journey.
I'm quitting the blues of the world
I am leaving behind my troubles and worries.
Just singing a song, just singing a song
I am expressing my joy and gratitude through music.
"Glory Hallelujah," I just phoned the Parson
I am excited and want to share my happiness with others, even reaching out to the church minister.
"Hey, Par get ready to call"
I want the minister to prepare for a big celebration.
Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall
I acknowledge that my success may not last forever and I am prepared for the possibility of failure.
I'm sitting on top of the world
Reiteration of the opening line, emphasizing the artist's current state of achievement and fulfillment.
Just rolling along, Just rolling along
Reiteration of the second line, emphasizing the artist's continued smooth journey.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Walter Jacobs Vinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Smyth
Magnificent!