“You’re the Pop
You’re the baby’s father
You’re the Pop
But you needn’t bother
I will make no claim to your ancient name at all—
When I let you make me
You promised you’d take me to the City Hall
My mistake
Was in getting plastered
What a break
For the little bastard
What a time we had when I let you get on top—
But if baby, I’m the Mama
You’re the Pop”
—Cole Porter’s spontaneous parody lyrics of his own song, “You’re the Top,” as recalled by Elaine Stritch.


















