Radnor High School’s spring musical Anything Goes was a hit with catchy songs and on point acting. “You’re the Top” was a fan favorite song with a catchy tune and a constantly changing rhyme scheme that kept the audience on their toes. The lyrics themselves were a musical dialogue between Reno Sweeney and Billy Crocker in which they take turns complimenting each other.
The song starts out with boring, overdone compliments such as “you’re the smile on the Mona Lisa” and “you’re a night at Coney [island]”. Like what? Last I checked, the Mona Lisa can hardly be considered smiling, maybe about-to-sneeze at best. Thankfully, it goes on to include more ambitious lines such as “you’re Pepsodent” (an old toothpaste brand known for exceptionally minty toothpaste) [Billy], “you’re broccoli” [Reno], “you’re a waldorf salad” [Reno], and my personal favorite: “You’re next year’s taxes” [Reno].
You may feel as though most of these seem more like insults than anything, but you’d be wrong.
Now, I don’t know much about social dynamics in 1934, but these are the types of lines that will have all the ladies (or guys) flocking to you nowadays.
For example, what’s not to love about taxes?
Everybody hates them and dreads tax season, perfect if your crush is an introvert. What could be a better gift than people permanently avoiding them? Another approach you could take is that taxes go towards public welfare. Cause who doesn’t like someone who gives back to society?
What about being called a vegetable? “What’s nice about that?” you ask. Congratulations, you’re high in iron and little kids hate you. Perfect for those iron-deficient guys and gals who don’t want kids.
How about being called toothpaste? How can you spin that one?
Who wouldn’t like being called fresh and apparently very affordable (according to a quick Google search)?
Looking back, it’s a shame that Billy didn’t fall for Reno as she’s clearly the well-versed sweet talker.
Moral of the story, people from 1934 gave amazing compliments and those of you looking to find love should be taking notes. And remember, anything goes.
