You're the Top
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics

At words poetic, I'm so pathetic
I have no gift for words

That I always have found it best,
So it's better to keep them inside

Instead of getting 'em off my chest,
And not express them outwardly, cause I'm not one for performing

To let 'em rest unexpressed.
But if it means you'll know how much you mean to me, I'll do my best.

I hate parading my serenading
I don't want to draw attention to myself

As I'll probably miss a bar,
And I'll probably mess up

But if this ditty is not so pretty,
But nonetheless, let me tell you how amazing you are

At least it'll tell you how great you are.
That you're the absolute best

You're the top! You're the Colosseum,
There's nothing that compares to you

You're the top! You're the Louvre Museum,
You're the best of the best

You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss,
You're a timeless classic, unmatched in beauty

You're a Bendel bonnet, a Shakespearian sonnet,
There's no limit to how amazing you are

You're Mickey Mouse.
Even Mickey Mouse can't hold a candle to you

You're the Nile, You're the Tow'r of Pisa,
You're grand, majestic, and awe-inspiring

You're the smile on the Mona Lisa.
You're even more valuable than priceless art

I'm a worthless check, a total wreck, a flop,
Compared to you, I'm nothing

But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
But if I'm the lowest one on this list

You're the top!
You're still the absolute best

Now gifted humans like Vincent Youmans
Even someone who's a brilliant composer like Vincent Youmans

Might think that your song is bad,
Might not think this song is any good

But for a person who's just rehearsin'
But for me, who's not so great

Well, I gotta say this my lad:
You're still the best

You're Mahatma Gandhi.
You're a symbol of peace and greatness

You're Napolean brandy.
You're powerful and intoxicating

You're the purple light of a summer night in Spain,
You're a beautiful sight to behold

You're the National Gall'ry, You're Garbo's sal'ry,
You're worth more than famous art and actresses

You're cellophane.
No matter how much you try to hide, you still shine through

You're sublime, You're a turkey dinner.
You're both magnificent and comforting

You're the time of the Derby winner.
You're victorious and unbeatable

I'm a toy balloon that is fated soon to pop.
Compared to you, I'm nothing but a fleeting moment

You're an Arrow collar.
You're the epitome of high fashion

You're a Coolidge dollar.
You're valuable and highly sought after

You're the nimble tread of the feet of Fred Astaire,
You're graceful and effortless

You're an O'Neill drama, You're Whistler's mama,
You're both dramatic and a work of art

You're Camembert.
You're a delicacy, cherished by all

You're sublime, You're a turkey dinner.
You're both magnificent and comforting

You're a rose, You're Inferno's Dante,
You're both beautiful and brilliant

You're the nost of the great Durante.
You're unforgettable

I'm just in the way, as the French would say
Compared to you, I'm irrelevant

"De trop,"
A French saying to emphasize how unnecessary or unimportant someone/something is

But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
But if I'm at the very bottom of this list

You're the top!
You're still the absolute best

You're a Waldorf salad.
You're both refreshing and sophisticated

You're a Berlin ballad.
You're memorable and moving

You're a baby grand of a lady and a gent.
You're classy and refined

You're an old dutch master, You're Mrs. Aster,
You're both priceless and influential

You're Pepsodent.
You're both shining and bright

You're romance,
You're the embodiment of love

You're the steppes of Russia,
You're vast and endlessly fascinating

You're the pants on a Roxy usher.
You're stylish and eye-catching

I'm a lazy lout that's just about to stop,
Compared to you, I'm not worth much

But if Baby, I'm the bottom,
But If I'm the lowest one on this list

You're the top!
You're still the absolute best

You're a dance in Bali.
You're exotic and unforgettable

You're a hot tamale.
You're spicy and irresistible

You're an angel, you simply too, too, too divine,
You're heavenly and perfect

You're a Botticelli, You're Keats, You're Shelley,
You're a work of art, a master of words

You're Ovaltine.
You're both comforting and familiar

You're a boon, You're the dam at Boulder,
You're both a blessing and a wonder

You're the moon over Mae West's shoulder.
You're stunning and captivating

I'm a nominee of the G.O.P., or GOP,
Compared to you, I'm just a political candidate

But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
But if I'm at the very bottom of this list

You're the top!
You're still the absolute best

You're the Tower of Babel.
You're both magnificent and complex

You're the Whitney Stable.
You're elite and exclusive

By the River Rhine, You're a sturdy stein of beer,
You're both strong and enjoyable

You're a dress from Saks's, You're next year's taxes,
You're both luxury and inevitability

You're stratosphere.
You're on a whole different level

You're my thoist, You're a Drumstick Lipstick,
You're both a friend and a style icon

You're the foist in the Irish svipstick,
You're the best in everything, even something insignificant

I'm a frightened frog that can find no log to hop,
Compared to you, I'm scared and lost

But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
But if I'm at the very bottom of this list

You're the top!
You're still the absolute best