Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. With his instantly-recognizable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also skilled at scat singing (vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics).
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over", whose skin-color was secondary to his music in an America that was severely racially divided. He rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a black man.
Armstrong was born and brought up in New Orleans, a culturally diverse town with a unique musical mix of creole, ragtime, marching bands, and blues. Although from an early age he was able to play music professionally, he didn't travel far from New Orleans until 1922, when he went to Chicago to join his mentor, King Oliver. Oliver's band played primitive jazz, a hotter style of ragtime, with looser rhythms and more improvisation, and Armstrong's role was mostly backing. Slow to promote himself, he was eventually persuaded by his wife Lil Hardin to leave Oliver, and In 1924 he went to New York to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. At the time, there were a few other artists using the rhythmic innovations of the New Orleans style, but none did it with the energy and brilliance of Armstrong, and he quickly became a sensation among New York musicians. Back in Chicago in 1925, he made his first recordings with his own group, Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, and these became not only popular hits but also models for the first generation of jazz musicians, trumpeters or otherwise.
Other hits followed through the twenties and thirties, as well as troubles: crooked managers, lip injuries, mob entanglements, failed big-band ventures. As jazz styles changed, though, musical purists never lost any respect for him -- although they were sometimes irritated by his hammy onstage persona. Around the late forties, with the help of a good manager, Armstrong's business affairs finally stablilized, and he began to be seen as an elder statesman of American popular entertainment, appearing in Hollywood films, touring Asia and Europe, and dislodging The Beatles from the number-one position with Hello Dolly". Today many people may know him as a singer (a good one), but as Miles Davis said: “You can’t play nothing on modern trumpet that doesn’t come from him."
The 62-year-old Armstrong became the oldest act to top the US charts when "Hello Dolly" reached #1 in 1964. Four years later Satchmo also became the oldest artist to record a UK #1, when "What a Wonderful World" hit the top spot.
Youre the Top
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
You're the top!
You're the Coliseum.
You're the top!
You're the Louver Museum.
You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss
You're a Bendel bonnet,
A Shakespeare's sonnet,
You're Mickey Mouse.
You're the Nile,
You're the Tower 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, babe, 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 I got a notion
I'll second the motion
And this is what I'm going to add;
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 Gallery
You're Garbo's salary,
You're cellophane.
You're sublime,
You're turkey dinner,
You're the time, the time of a Derby winner
I'm a toy balloon that's fated soon to pop
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 nose
On the great Durante.
I'm just in a 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 dance in Bali.
You're the top!
You're a hot tamale.
You're an angel, you,
Simply too, too, too diveen,
You're a Boticcelli,
You're Keats,
You're Shelly!
You're Ovaltine!
You're a boom,
You're the dam at Boulder,
You're the moon,
Over Mae West's shoulder,
I'm the 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 a Waldorf salad.
You're the top!
You're a Berlin ballad.
You're the boats that glide
On the sleepy Zuider Zee,
You're an old Dutch master,
You're Lady Astor,
You're broccoli!
You're romance,
You're the steppes of Russia,
You're the pants, on a Roxy usher,
I'm a broken doll, a fol-de-rol, a blop,
But if, baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!
These lyrics are from the popular song "You're the Top" by Louis Armstrong. The song is a celebration of the many wonderful things in the world, with the singer expressing his awe and admiration for everything from the Coliseum to Shakespeare's sonnets to Mickey Mouse. The singer introduces himself as someone who struggles to express himself poetically, but he knows that the person he's singing to is truly exceptional and deserves to be called the "top."
The lyrics are full of clever wordplay, with the singer creating unexpected comparisons and contrasts with each successive line. He sets up the contrast between his own limited poetic ability and the subject of his song, who is "not pathetic" but rather shines with divine energy. He goes on to compare the person he's singing to various cultural icons and landmarks, from Mahatma Gandhi to the Mona Lisa to Ovaltine.
Overall, the lyrics capture a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world and the people who inhabit it. The song is a joyful celebration of diversity and creativity, and its message still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
At words poetic, I'm so pathetic
I struggle with expressing my feelings creatively
That I always have found it best,
Because of this, I prefer to keep my emotions to myself
Instead of getting 'em off my chest,
And not share them with others
To let 'em rest unexpressed,
To let them simmer within me instead
I hate parading my serenading
I am not comfortable showing off my musical abilities
As I'll probably miss a bar,
I am afraid of making a mistake while performing
But if this ditty is not so pretty
But even if this song is not masterful
At least it'll tell you
It still manages to convey one message
How great you are.
That you are wonderful and deserving of praise
You're the top!
You are the best!
You're the Coliseum.
You are a grand and impressive structure
You're the Louver Museum.
You are an exquisite work of art
You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss
You are an amazing musical composition
You're a Bendel bonnet,
You are a fashionable and stylish accessory
A Shakespeare's sonnet,
You are a literary masterpiece
You're Mickey Mouse.
You are a beloved and iconic figure
You're the Nile,
You are a natural wonder
You're the Tower of Pisa,
You are an impressive architectural feat
You're the smile on the Mona Lisa
You are the subtle beauty in a famous artwork
I'm a worthless check, a total wreck, a flop,
I am nothing special and have nothing to offer
But if, baby, I'm the bottom you're the top!
But compared to you, I am nothing because you are amazing
Your words poetic are not pathetic.
Your poetic expressions are impressive
On the other hand, babe, you shine,
In contrast, you stand out and glow
And I can feel after every line
I can sense the beauty in each of your words
A thrill divine
An incredibly powerful and exciting sensation
Down my spine.
Running through my body
Now gifted humans like Vincent Youmans
People with exceptional talent like Vincent Youmans
Might think that your song is bad,
May not appreciate your creation
But I got a notion
But I believe
I'll second the motion
I support the idea
And this is what I'm going to add;
And here is what I want to say
You're Mahatma Gandhi.
You are a symbol of peace and inspiration
You're Napoleon Brandy.
You are refined and sophisticated
You're the purple light
You are the stunning and rare color
Of a summer night in Spain,
Of a balmy evening in an exotic country
You're the National Gallery
You are a phenomenal art museum
You're Garbo's salary,
You are something exorbitant and valuable
You're cellophane.
You are something transparent and flexible
You're sublime,
You are heavenly and divine
You're turkey dinner,
You are the perfect meal
You're the time, the time of a Derby winner
You are the moment when someone is victorious
I'm a toy balloon that's fated soon to pop
I am insignificant and temporary
You're an arrow collar
You are a distinguishing feature of a gentleman's attire
You're a Coolidge dollar,
You are a symbol of wealth and prosperity
You're the nimble tread
You are graceful and light on your feet
Of the feet of Fred Astaire,
Like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire
You're an O'Neill drama,
You are a powerful and emotional theatrical experience
You're Whistler's mama!
You are the subject of a famous painting
You're camembert.
You are a distinguished type of French cheese
You're a rose,
You are a classic symbol of love and beauty
You're Inferno's Dante,
You are a master of artistic expression
You're the nose
You are the defining feature
On the great Durante.
On the famous entertainer Jimmy Durante
I'm just in a way,
I am insignificant and unimportant
As the French would say, "de trop".
As the French would say, "too much" or "in excess"
You're a dance in Bali.
You are a captivating and exotic dance
You're a hot tamale.
You are spicy, attractive, and captivating
You're an angel, you,
You are pure, innocent, and divine
Simply too, too, too diveen,
Absolutely exquisite and delightful
You're a Boticcelli,
You are a magnificent and classic artist
You're Keats,
You are a genius poet
You're Shelly!
You are another beloved poet
You're Ovaltine!
You are comforting and nostalgic
You're a boom,
You are explosive and intense
You're the dam at Boulder,
You are a massive and significant engineering feat
You're the moon,
You are ethereal and captivating
Over Mae West's shoulder,
Like an accessory to the legendary actress Mae West
I'm the nominee of the G.O.P.
I am a member of a political party
Or GOP!
Either abbreviation works
You're a Waldorf salad.
You are a delicious and refined dish
You're a Berlin ballad.
You are a beautiful musical composition with a fascinating backstory
You're the boats that glide
You are the smooth and graceful watercraft
On the sleepy Zuider Zee,
On a serene and peaceful body of water
You're an old Dutch master,
You are a painting by a famous Dutch artist
You're Lady Astor,
You are a sophisticated and refined lady
You're broccoli!
You are a distinctive and beloved vegetable
You're romance,
You are passionate and alluring
You're the steppes of Russia,
You are a vast and breathtaking landscape
You're the pants, on a Roxy usher,
You are the pants on a stylish and attractive individual
I'm a broken doll, a fol-de-rol, a blop,
I am insignificant and unimportant
But if, baby, I'm the bottom,
But if I am the worst or least important
You're the top!
You are still the best and most important
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
carlos gustavo rubio
Gracias!!!!!!!!!, nunca habia escuchado esta cancion por el gran y divino Louis!!!!!!!!! Impresionante y "un tornado de alegria" que tanta falta nos hace.....!
Paula Pacente
One GREAT musician!
Louis
Bloody great! Swing it Louis!
nelly7412
When ever I ´m down, I start singing that song. I don´t know why, but it ´s Works.
PAUL VIARDOT
Remarquable de Louis !
PAUL VIARDOT
Remarquable version de Louis
francescaemc2
no comments? How about...this is a masterpiece!!!!!
Juan Fecit
Muchas gracias por compartirlo.
eiyneo
this brings tears to my eyes
William Johnston
You just don't hear classic like this....