Top of the World (Brandy song)
1998 single by Brandy
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"Top of the World" is a song by American singer and actress Brandy Norwood, from her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Isaac Phillips, Nycolia "Tye-V" Turman, and Mason Betha, with Darkchild and Norwood producing and Mase having featured vocals. Released as the album's second international single in July 1998, by Atlantic Records, the track peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 20 in Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.
| "Top of the World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Brandy featuring Mase | ||||
| from the album Never Say Never | ||||
| Released | July 7, 1998 | |||
| Studio | Pacifique (North Hollywood, California)[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:41 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Brandy singles chronology | ||||
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| Mase singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Top of the World" on YouTube | ||||
The music video for "Top of the World" was directed by Paul Hunter in June 1998 and became a huge success on the music video channels, BET and MTV. In the video, Norwood floats in the air where she does somersaults and other gymnastic movements.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine felt the song was a fitting follow up to "The Boy is Mine" and that Brandy now "proves that she has the chops to take on the most seasoned champs of R&B and pop".[2] He also praised the lyrics and production, saying "the smart lyrics are couched in chunky funk beats and smooth guitar/keyboard interplay.[2] Music Week described the song as "another slick piece of Rodney Jerkins (Boy Is Mine) R&B" and felt that "the best bits comes from Mase".[3]
Chart performance
"Top of the World" topped the UK R&B Singles Chart for six weeks and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song became the second consecutive European success for Brandy and peaked at number 20 on the Eurochart Hot 100. "Top of the World" also charted at number 11 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and 21 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. In the United States, it was a modest hit on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 44 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, number 19 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, and number 10 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart.
Music video
A music video for "Top of the World" was directed by American director Paul Hunter and filmed in June 1998.[4] A surrealistic clip built on digital effects, it features Norwood floating in the air, flipping and somersaulting above various objects such as telephone poles and vehicles—as passersby stopped to stare—and balancing vertically and horizontally alongside skyscrapers and other buildings.[5]
Remix
A remix version with Latin rappers Fat Joe and Big Pun appeared on Pun's 2001 compilation album Endangered Species. The Darkchild-produced song was previously released on the remix EP U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To) - The Remix EP (1999). The remix samples Ahmad's single "Back in the Day."
Live performances
She performed the song live at the MTV Movie Awards and the remix version with Big Pun and Fat Joe at the Soul Train Awards which aired in 1999. Norwood performed the song on her first world tour Never Say Never World Tour (1998-1999), the TV special Brandy in Concert: A Special for the Holidays (1999) and on her second world tour, Human World Tour (2009) where it was part of a "1990s medley".
Samples
On 1 June 2023, Nigerian singer Burna Boy released the single "Sittin' On Top Of The World" featuring Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, which heavily samples "Top of the World".[6][7][8][9] It earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Track listings
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Top of the World" (No Rap Edit) |
| 3:32 | |
| 2. | "Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase) |
|
| 4:11 |
| 3. | "Top of the World" (LP Version) |
|
| 4:41 |
| 4. | "Top of the World" (Boogiesoul Remix Radio Edit) |
| 4:16 | |
| 5. | "The Boy Is Mine" (Radio Edit With Intro; duet with Monica) |
|
| 4:00 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase) |
|
| 4:11 |
| 2. | "Top of the World" (No Rap Edit) |
|
| 3:32 |
| 3. | "Top of the World" (Instrumental) |
|
| 4:41 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase) |
|
| 4:11 |
| 2. | "Top of the World" (Boogiesoul Remix Radio Edit) |
| 4:16 | |
| 3. | "Top of the World" (Part II featuring Fat Joe & Big Pun) |
|
| 4:07 |
Notes
- ^a denotes additional producer
Sample credits
- "Top of the World (Part II)" samples "Back in the Day" (1994) by Ahmad, written by Ahmad Lewis and Stephan Gordy.
Personnel
Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of Never Say Never.[1]
- Mason Betha — vocals, writing
- LaShawn Daniels — vocal production, recording, writing
- Brian Gardner — mastering
- Jean-Marie Horvat — recording
- Fred Jerkins III — writing
- Rodney Jerkins — production, instruments, mixing, recording, writing
- Brandy Norwood — additional production, vocals, writing
- Isaac Phillips — recording
- Rick Sigel — recording
- Dexter Simmons — mixing
- Nycolia "Tye-V" Turman — writing
- Brian Young — assistant engineer
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[36] | Silver | 200,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||