For the love of rock
Vol V, Issue 11 – Top of the world (01 Nov 2020)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song – Top of the world
Band – Van Halen
Writers – Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Alex Van Halen
Release year – 1991
Album – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Peak chart positions
# 1 – Billboard Album Rock Tracks
# 27 – Billboard Hot 100
Top of the world
“Van Halen” – A prototype hard rock band, who shaped the entire hard rock and heavy metal scene in the late seventies and early eighties – and is credited with numerous hit singles and albums. Undoubtedly, most of the credit of their popularity goes to Eddie Van Halen who cofounded the band with his elder brother Alex Van Halen (Drums) in Pasadena, California in 1974, along with Michael Anthony (Bass) and vocalist David Lee Roth. The band’s numerous hit numbers have made them one of the best selling groups of all time. With sale more than 80 million worldwide, it is no surprise that they have the record of most multi-platinum albums by any American band. They have been ranked 7th on top 100 hard rock artists of all time by VH1. Although with repeatedly changing members, the group has been facing repeated controversies and uncertain future and with recent death of Eddie Van Halen, further uncertainty has loomed over the band at present.
The band had two golden era in their career- the first decade with David Lee Roth and the second decade with vocalist Sammy Hagar. The band got the name and fame in the first decade with David Lee Roth and they consolidated it all in the second decade with Sammy Hagar.
“Top of the world” is one of the most notable songs from their ninth album “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”, released in 1991. The song is beautifully crafted with a notable guitar riff, which was actually an outtro from the end of their hit song “Jump”. This song has all the ingredients to be a potent hard rock number. Sammy Hagar’s rusty vocals, Anthony’s thundering bass, Alex Van Halen’s rocking drums, along with rhythm guest guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto), of course, the cream of the song is Eddie’s unmistakable riff and wacky solo. With simply rocking lyrics and catchy melody, the sing just could not fail to chart. Definitely a prototype Van Halen song, this number definitely deserves to be cherished by the hard rock fans all over the world.
Yes, “Van Halen” ruled and paved the hard rock and heavy metal scene of the golden era with their numerous massi
vely successful hit numbers like “Jump”, “Dreams”, “Why can’t this be love”, “Panama” etc, among the top ones, Van Halen fans would not be able to ignore “Top of the world”!!!!Happy listening!!! Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Top of the world
Hey, Baby, Whoo!
I know that you believe in me
That’s all I ever need, uh huh
No, No, nothing’s gonna stop me
Nothing will be scaring me, oh no
Hey baby, it’s the only way out
Oh, little darling
C’mon what’s it all about?
Standing on top of the world
For a little while
Standing on top of the world
Gonna give it all we got
Oh, I know it won’t hurt
I gotta have a little taste
I just wanna sink my teeth in that
Fine piece of real estate, yeah
Hey baby, whoo, make it nice and sweet
Oh, little darling
Let’s take a walk down easy street
Standing on top of the world
For a little while
Standing on top of the world
Let’s give it all we got, oooh oooh
Baby, gotta feeling, oooh oooh
Oh, I wanna touch it, now, oooh oooh oooh
See the whole wide world turn upside down
Hey, baby, whew!
Someday, we’ll be
Standing on top of the world
For a little while
Standing on top of the world
Till we got stung
Standing on top of the world
For a little while
Standing on top of the world
Gonna give it all we got
(Standing on top) Hey, baby
(Standing on top) Hey darling
Standing on top
Standing on top
Standing on top
Lyrics link-https://genius.com/Van-halen-top-of-the-world-lyrics
Video link- https://youtu.be/3ILik-2YxVw