“Top of the World” by The Carpenters

The idiom ‘on top of the world’ is based on the idea of an individual possessing a very-positive, indeed euphoric mind frame. In other words, he or she is feeling really, really good. And in this particular case that individual would for the most part be the Carpenters’ lead vocalist, Karen Carpenter. And what has her feeling this way, succinctly put, is being in love. 

So throughout the song, while addressing her romantic partner, she utilizes some colorful metaphors to illustrate this point. For instance, she states that she is “on the top of the world looking down on creation”, and it is his ‘love that put her’ there. And whereas the singer is definitely relishing the moment, she also hopes that this elation won’t be a fleeting sensation, as in their love persisting into the future.

Release Date of “Top of the World”

This classic hit from the Carpenters came out on 22 June 1972. It was part of their fourth album, “A Song for You”.

A&M Records decided to revise the song from its album version and release it as the fifth single from “A Song for You” in late 1973. They were prompted to do so after a cover of “Top of the World”, by a country music artist by the name of Lynn Anderson, managed to perform impressively on US and Canadian music charts.

Who wrote “Top of the World”?

It  was written by one half of the Carpenters, Richard Carpenter, in addition to prolific songwriter John Bettis. And the track was produced by Jack Daugherty.

A major hit song for the Carpenters

“Top of the World” earned the Carpenters a number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also topped the charts in Australia and Canada.

In addition, it scored a number five on the UK Singles Chart in addition to charting in a few other countries, including Japan.

Owing to the song’s success, it has over the years been featured on a number of major films and television series, including the below:

• “Friends” (1994)
• “The Simpsons” (1997)
• “The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” (2006)
• “Shrek Forever After” (2010)

It also appeared on the 1995 Japanese movie “Miseinen”.  It has also been covered by quite a few artists around the world.

Who were the Carpenters?

The Carpenters were a musical duo consisting of siblings Richard and Karen Carpenter. They were active from 1969 until Karen’s death, at the age of 32, in 1983 from anorexia nervosa.