Top of the World (Brandy song)

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard felt that 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". 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".

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 Paul Hunter and filmed in June 1998. 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.

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". It earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

Track listings

Notes

• 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.

• 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

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

References

1. Flick, Larry. (July 4, 1998). "Reviews & Previews Singles: POP".
2. (September 19, 1998). "Single Reviews".
3. (June 3, 1998). "Mase Duets With Brandy, Forms Record Label".
4. Porter, Nina. (January 25, 2000). "The Brandy Star Profile".
5. (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy - Sitting' On Top Of The World".
6. Hussey, Allison. (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy Shares New Song "Sittin' on Top of the World": Listen".
7. Mamo, Heran. (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy Is 'Sittin' on Top of the World' in New Song & Music Video: Watch".
8. Helfand, Raphael. (1 June 2023). "Hear Burna Boy's celebratory new song "Sittin On Top Of The World"".
9. (1998). "Never Say Never". [[Atlantic Records]].
10. Lwin, Nanda. (2000). "Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide". Music Data Canada.
11. (September 28, 1998). "RPM Dance".
12. (September 7, 1998). "RPM Urban Top 30".
13. (October 17, 1998). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
14. (November 27, 1998). "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 301 Vikuna 27.11–4.11. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir.
15. "Brandy-Top of the world". top40.nl.
16. (December 14, 1998). "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98".
17. "RPM's Top 50 Urban Tracks of '98".
18. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży".
19. (January 9, 1999). "The Urban Top 40 Of 1998".
20. (July 3, 1998). "Going for Adds".
21. "トップ・オブ・ザ・ワールド {{!}} ブランディー". [[Oricon]].
22. (September 26, 1998). "New Releases: Singles".
23. "Album Releases: October 1998". [[Jam!]].