"Top of the World" | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Single by The Carpenters from the album A Song for You | |||||
Front cover to The Carpenters' album, A Song for You.
| |||||
B-side | "Heather" | ||||
Recorded | 1972-1973 | ||||
Released | September 17, 1973 | ||||
Length | 2:58 | ||||
Genre(s) | Pop, Country | ||||
Writer(s) | Richard Carpenter, John Bettis | ||||
Producer(s) | Jack Daugherty & The Carpenters | ||||
Record label | A&M Records | ||||
Tracks from A Song for You | |||||
|
|
||||
Singles by The Carpenters | |||||
|
|
||||
Screenshot from Gold: Greatest Hits (1985) | |||||
The Carpenters on The Carpenters' Very First Television Special in 1976 performing "Top of the World".
| |||||
I'm on the top of the world lookin'
Down on creation and the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world— The Carpenters, "Top of the World" (1972)
"Top of the World" is a song written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis. It was the first international country single released by The Carpenters and their second #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Originally recorded in 1972 for the album A Song for You, it was remixed in 1973 for the single release, as Karen Carpenter was not quite satisfied with her vocal track on the original. Lynn Anderson scored a #2 Billboard Country chart hit using the Carpenters' 1972 arrangement.
Song History[]
Upon completing the recording of "Top of the World" on A Song for You, Richard and Karen considered the song to be an album cut and didn't think much of its potential[1]. The response to "Top of the World" on both the airwaves and in concert, however, was overwhelming - pulling it as a single, they featured a new arrangement and lead vocal. The hit that almost got away, it was released in September of 1973 - a year after the album it debuted on. "Top of the World" quickly became the Carpenters' second #1 hit, where it stayed for two weeks.
The song was given a remix with a newer, stronger background sound in 1991.
Quadraphonic difference[]
On the quadraphonic disc of The Singles: 1969-1973, "Top of the World" features the vocals from A Song For You and the music from the single release.
Personnel[]
- Karen Carpenter - lead and backing vocals
- Richard Carpenter - backing vocals, keyboards
- Joe Osborn - bass guitar
- Hal Blaine - drums
- Buddy Emmons - pedal steel guitar
Gallery[]
Have a Listen[]
1972 version[]
1973 remix[]
Quadraphonic Mix[]
References[]
This article is a stub. Please help us by expanding it. |