Kirby Stone founded the group and enrollled Eddie Hall, Mike Gardner and Larry Forsterand to complete the quartet.
The group began playing clubs in the New York area. They won slots on local television, including The Ed Sullivan Show, and soon after signed to Columbia Records. Several LPs followed, including Baubles, Bangles and Beads; their version of the song Baubles, Bangles and Beads became a hit in the U.S. in 1958.
Among the backing musicians that played on Kirby Stone Four albums were Jimmy Carroll's orchestra, the Kai Winding Quartet, Alvino Rey, Shelly Manne, and Al Klink. Their style, which melded swing jazz, vocalese, and early rock & roll was referred to as "The Go Sound."
Everything's Coming Up Roses
The Kirby Stone Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rose just took the stand
She's divorcin' me for reasons
I still don't understand
That dress is showin' more of her
Than I've seen in years
And the story that she's tellin's
She's accusin' me of hangin' out
With girls of ill repute
Adultery, abandonment
Even alcohol abuse
I just heard my mother shout
Your honor throw the book
And even my attorney
Just gave me a dirty look
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
My head is buried in my hands
The courtroom is adjourned
She got all I ever made
And all I'll ever earn
If I had a handkerchief
I'd break right down and cry
Why, even Johnny Carson
Got a better deal than mine
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
The Kirby Stone Four's song Everything's Coming Up Roses is a tale of a man in court as his wife accuses him of numerous offenses, including adultery and alcohol abuse, and wants a divorce. The man is clearly shocked and hurt by his wife's accusations, as he is described as having his head buried in his hands while she speaks. The song's title, "Everything's Coming Up Roses," has an ironic twist as it refers to the fact that everything is going well for his soon-to-be-ex-wife, who is going to end up with the house, the car, the kids, all the cash, and everything else, while he will be lucky to keep the shirt on his back.
The song's lyrics have a jazzy, upbeat feel that contrasts with the story's darker subject matter, providing an ironic message. The melody is catchy and upbeat, which can lead many listeners to believe that the song is entirely optimistic, but upon closer examination, the lyrics reveal themselves to be a cautionary tale of infidelity and the devastating impact it can have on a relationship. The song's message is clear: If you cheat, you risk losing everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are in court today
My spouse and I are present in court today
Rose just took the stand
My spouse Rose just took the witness stand
She's divorcin' me for reasons
I still don't understand
Rose is divorcing me for reasons that I still don't comprehend
That dress is showin' more of her
Than I've seen in years
Her dress reveals more of her body than I have seen in years
And the story that she's tellin's
Even got the judge in tears
The story that she is narrating is so moving that even the judge is crying
She's accusin' me of hangin' out
With girls of ill repute
Adultery, abandonment
Even alcohol abuse
Rose is blaming me for spending time with improper women, having extramarital affairs, abandoning her and drinking excessively
I just heard my mother shout
Your honor throw the book
And even my attorney
Just gave me a dirty look
My mother is furious and wants the judge to punish Rose severely, and even my attorney disapproves of my behavior
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
Rose is entitled to everything we own, including the house, car, kids and cash, and I'll be grateful if I get to keep my clothes
My head is buried in my hands
The courtroom is adjourned
She got all I ever made
And all I'll ever earn
I cannot believe what has happened, and I cannot bear to show my face. The court session is over, and Rose has received everything I have earned, and will earn in the future
If I had a handkerchief
I'd break right down and cry
Why, even Johnny Carson
Got a better deal than mine
I am so heartbroken that I would cry, if only I had a handkerchief. Even Johnny Carson, who often jokes about divorce, got a better outcome than me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Broughton
The total sound! The whole package; The guys, the gals and that orchestra! Loved it the first time I heard it (Was 4 at the time) Took 20+ years to find out what their name was (On KLBB Club 14 Minneapolis).
Charles Ramos
What a fantastic song! I’ve loved it since the early 90’s when I first listened to it on KJWL-FM in Fresno, Calif!
Frank Reynolds
This song in addition to being the best version of that song is also to me ahead of its time. The melody is more modern than what is considered 1950's music. It sounds like it was done in 1966.
barbara cowell
fantastic song thanks for the memories
Disney FTW Nintendo FTL
This sounds just like the Kirbys from the Nintendo games! Thx for posting!
Rich Irvine
Just love it!
countrypaul
I remember this - it was all over New York radio. As I noted elsewhere, the women on their records deserved at least some if not equal billing; they were integral to the sound.
William Magliocco
Agreed-the ladies were integral to the KS4 "sounds".
Rich Irvine
I agree. I hadn;t heard of the Kirby Stone Four until my brother told me a decade or so ago. The women singers were a big part of their sound.
barbara cowell
awesome love this song