The Rufus Wainwright Archive






 I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise

All you preachers who delight in panning the dancing teachers,
Let me tell you there are a lot of features,
Of the dance that carry you through the gates of Heaven

It's madness to be always sitting around in sadness,
When you could be learning the steps of gladness
You'll be happy when you can do just six or seven

Begin today, you'll find it's nice, the quickest way to paradise
When you practice, here's the thing to do, simply say as you go...

I'll build a stairway to paradise with a new step every day
I'm going to get there at any price, stand aside, I'm on my way
I've got the blues and up above it's so fair
Shoes, go on and carry me there
I'll build a stairway to paradise with a new step every day

I'll build a stairway to paradise with a new step every day
I'm going to get there at any price, stand aside, I'm on my way
I've got the blues and up above it's so fair
Shoes, go on and carry me there
I'll build a stairway to paradise with a new step every day

 NOTES & QUOTES

  • This George Gershwin cover was used in The Aviator, and appears on the soundtrack

  • Rufus makes an appearance in this film as a singer at the Cocoanut Grove

  • Backing music is by Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks


 APPEARS ON

The AviatorThe Aviator (DVD)