"Top of the World" is a song written by the group Van Halen for their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, released as the second single from the album, and spent four non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in the U.S., becoming their eighth number one on this chart. It was the only single off the album to crack the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #27. The main guitar riff from "Top of the World" is actually carried over from the closing guitar background riff from 1984's "Jump".
| "Top of the World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Van Halen | ||||
| from the album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge | ||||
| B-side | "In 'n' Out" | |||
| Released | September 1991[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1990–1991 | |||
| Studio | 5150 Studios, Studio City, California | |||
| Genre | Hard rock[2][3] | |||
| Length | 3:52 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Eddie Van Halen Michael Anthony Sammy Hagar Alex Van Halen | |||
| Producer(s) | Andy Johns Ted Templeman Van Halen | |||
| Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
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History
editThis song was recorded in early 1991; however, the main riff for this song was first played live on the Van Halen 1979 World Tour during "Dance the Night Away". Eddie Van Halen recorded this song using his brand new Ernie Ball Music Man signature guitar and his new Peavey 5150 amps. This was also one of the first Van Halen songs featuring the use of the wah-wah pedal. This song also features Toto lead guitarist Steve Lukather on background vocals.[4] This is the last song on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and was the last song played during live shows on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour, following "Jump". This song was also played on the 1993 Right Here Right Now Tour, the 1995 Balance Tour, and the ill-fated 2004 reunion tour.
Personnel
edit- Sammy Hagar – lead vocals
- Eddie Van Halen – guitar, backing vocals
- Michael Anthony – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Alex Van Halen – drums, percussion
- Steve Lukather – backing vocals
Charts
edit| Chart (1991) | Peak |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 63 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 27 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[7] | 1 |
References
edit- ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 866. ISBN 9780862415419.
- ^ "Remembering Eddie Van Halen: His 20 greatest performances". Los Angeles Times. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
"Top of the World" was indeed an ascendant return to pop-metal mastery
- ^ Kot, Greg (September 3, 1991). "It's the Guitarist Who Still Makes Van Halen Rock". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Polcaro, Rafael (2020-08-15). "Steve Lukather talks about claims that he played Van Halen guitar parts". Rock And Roll Garage. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ "Van Halen Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ "Van Halen Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2021.