"Top of the World" is a song written by the group Van Halen for their 1991 album ''

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge ''For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge'' (often abbreviated as F.U.C.K.) is the ninth studio album by American rock band Van Halen. It was released on June 17, 1991, on Warner Bros. Records and is the third to feature vocalist Sammy Hagar. It debuted ...

'', released as the second single from the album, and spent four non-consecutive weeks at the top of the ''Billboard''

Album Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock is a music chart in ''Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock. The chart was launched in Ma ...

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".

History

This 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 Edward Lodewijk Van Halen ( , ; January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen, which he co-founded along ...

recorded this song using his brand new Ernie Ball Music Man signature guitar and his new

Peavey 5150 The Peavey 5150 is a vacuum tube based guitar amplifier made by Peavey Electronics from 1992 on. The amplifier was initially created as a signature model for Eddie Van Halen. After Van Halen and Peavey parted ways in 2004, the name was changed ...

amps. This was also one of the first Van Halen songs featuring the use of the wah-wah pedal. This song also features

Toto Toto may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters Pets * Toto (Oz), Toto (''Oz''), a dog in the novel and film ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' * Toto, in Japanese ''The Cat Returns#Plot, The Cat Returns'' Characters of agency * a ...

lead guitarist

Steve Lukather Steven Lee Lukather (born October 21, 1957) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, best known as the sole continuous founding member of the rock band Toto. His reputation as a skilled guitarist led to a stea ...

on background vocals. 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 Right Here Right Now Tour was a concert tour by American hard rock band Van Halen in support of their live double album and the accompanying video ''Live: Right Here, Right Now''. Background Following a European tour in support of the live al ...

, the 1995 Balance Tour, and the ill-fated 2004 reunion tour.

Personnel

* Sammy Hagar - Lead Vocals * Eddie Van Halen - Guitar, Backing Vocals * Michael Anthony - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals * Alex Van Halen - Drums, Percussion * Steve Lukather - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Charts

References

1991 singles Van Halen songs Song recordings produced by Ted Templeman Songs written by Eddie Van Halen Songs written by Alex Van Halen Songs written by Michael Anthony (musician) Songs written by Sammy Hagar Music videos directed by Meiert Avis 1991 songs Warner Records singles {{metal-song-stub