On Top of the World (Imagine Dragons song)

"On Top of the World"
Single by Imagine Dragons
from the album Night Visions
Released March 18, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011–12
at Westlake Recording Studios
(Los Angeles, United States)
Length 3:12
Label KIDinaKORNER, Interscope, Universal
Writer(s) Ben McKee, Dan Platzman, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Alexander Grant
Producer(s) Ben McKee, Dan Platzman, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Alexander Grant
Imagine Dragons singles chronology
"Demons"
(2013)		 "On Top of the World"
(2013)		 "Monster"
(2013)

"On Top of the World" is a song written and recorded by American alternative rock band Imagine Dragons for their major-label debut extended play Continued Silence, where it appears as the third track. The song also appears on their debut studio album Night Visions as the fifth track. "On Top of the World" was released digitally as a single on March 18, 2013.

Composition
"On Top of the World"
"On Top of the World" is a sharp contrast to the darker, thematic songs on Night Visions.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"On Top of the World" primarily features guitar and piano instrumentation, with vocals performed by lead singer Dan Reynolds.[1] Originally published in the key of C major,[1] the song itself expresses a celebration of accomplishment for the band after striving for years to become successful.[2] The song itself incorporates the chords C, F, Dm, and G, with the pre-chorus using G and Am to create a different break in the song.[3] The song "On Top of the World" is found to be a positive, upbeat track, unlike other songs found on Night Visions, including "Bleeding Out" and "Hear Me".

Usage in media

Imagine Dragons performed the song live on the Australian version of The X Factor in 2013.[4]

"On Top of the World" was licensed for inclusion on the soundtrack of EA's FIFA 13.[5] The band, longtime fans of the FIFA video game series, reacted positively to its inclusion in the game and stated that it would be "a lot of fun hearing the track play while we are doing bicycle kicks and screaming at the screen."[5] It also served as the opening theme of the short-lived CBS comedy series Partners.[6] "On Top of the World" was performed by the PS22 Chorus during Barack Obama's second United States presidential inauguration.[7] It also featured in FIFA's rival game Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 as well as being used in a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 advert. It was also featured in the film The Incredible Burt Wonderstone several times.

The song is featured in the Liv and Maddie episode "Twin-a-Rooney", performed by Dove Cameron in the title role of Liv Rooney. Dove Cameron's version appears on the compilation album Disney Channel Play It Loud.

Hunter Hayes covered the song live on his US tour.[8]

The song was used by ESPN for their coverage of the NBA for the 2013-14 NBA Season

The song was used in trailers for the films The Croods (2013) and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014).

WPVI-TV in Philadelphia uses the song to promote their morning news, Action News Mornings.

The song is used for the video "Moments of happiness" only showed at World of Coca Cola in Atlanta.

Music video

The official music video satirizes a popular conspiracy theory that the Apollo moon landings were faked with the help of director Stanley Kubrick (pictured)

As a part of the Palladia documentary Imagine Dragons: The Making of Night Visions, which originally aired on November 7, 2012, the band filmed a video of themselves performing "On Top of the World" and subsequently uploaded it to YouTube.

On November 13, 2013 the band released an official music video for the song.[9] The video satirizes a popular conspiracy theory that the 1969 Apollo moon landings were fake, and that Stanley Kubrick directed them, then made references to the fakery in various of his subsequent films. In the video, a rock band similar to the Beatles (played by the members of Imagine Dragons) pretend to be astronauts for the faked moon landing. The taping goes away as fans of the band stream into the sound stage and turn the event into a rock concert, much to the chagrin of Kubrick and President Richard Nixon, who is also on hand; but no one watching at home seems to realize that anything is amiss.[9] The video also briefly references another popular conspiracy theory from around the same time, that Beatles member Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike.[9]

The video was filmed in Provo, Utah, Imagine Dragons' original hometown, and includes cameos from various celebrities associated with Provo or Brigham Young University, including Jon Heder, the cast of the TV show Studio C, guitarist Robbie Connolly, and members of The New Electric Sound. Whit Hertford plays Kubrick, and singer Aja Volkman, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds' wife, appears as Reynolds' character's wife.[10]

Track listing

Digital download[11]
No. Title Length
1. "On Top of the World"   3:12
Promotional CD
No. Title Length
1. "On Top of the World"   2:58

Commercial performance

The song peaked at 79 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and 10 on the Hot Rock Songs charts. It has also charted in the top ten in Australia (No. 10), Austria (No. 6), Netherlands (No. 10), New Zealand (No. 10), Poland (No. 7), and Portugal (No. 1). Despite having not yet been released to mainstream radio, it has received airplay on contemporary hit stations, such as 97.1 ZHT in Salt Lake City.

The song reached a million copies sold in the U.S. in April 2014. It's the fourth million seller from the Night Visions album.[12]

Personnel

Adapted from Night Visions liner notes.[13]

Imagine Dragons
  • Dan Reynolds – vocals
  • Wayne Sermon – guitar
  • Ben McKee – bass
  • Daniel Platzman – drums
Additional musicians
  • J Browz – guitar
Additional personnel
  • Alexander Grant – co-writer, producer
  • Charlie Stavish – recording
  • Josh Mosser – engineering
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–14) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[14] 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] 6
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[16] 11
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 43
Canada AC (Billboard)[18] 30
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[19] 37
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[20] 21
France (SNEP)[21] 35
Germany (Media Control Charts)[22] 13
Hungary (Single Top 40)[23] 36
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 24
Italy (FIMI)[25] 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] 10
Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[29] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 20)[30] 7
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] 29
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[32] 37
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[33] 21
South Africa (EMA)[34] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 14
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[37] 34
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 79
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[39] 10
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[40] 22
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[41] 19

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
Germany (Media Control AG)[42] 79
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[43] 26
Chart (2014) Position
Italy (FIMI)[44] 57
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[45] 23
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[46] 37

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[47] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[48] Platinum 10,000^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[49] Gold 15,000^
Italy (FIMI)[50] Platinum 30,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[51] Platinum 15,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[52] 2× Platinum 20,000*
Sweden (GLF)[53] 2× Platinum 80,000x
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] Gold 15,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[56] Platinum 1,000,000[12]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Accolades

Year Ceremony Award Result
2014 Teen Choice Awards Choice Rock Song Nominated
VEVO Hot This Year Awards Best Alternative/Rock Video Nominated

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Portugal[11][57] March 18, 2013 Digital download Interscope Records, KIDinaKORNER
Australia[58] Streamed audio
United Kingdom[58]
United States[58]
Spain May 27, 2013 Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records
Australia August 22, 2013
United States[59] October 21, 2013 Triple A radio Interscope Records, KIDinaKORNER
United Kingdom[60] November 18, 2013 Contemporary hit radio
Australia[61] Digital download (RAC remix)
Germany[62]
United Kingdom[63]
Italy[64] May 30, 2014 Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Imagine Dragons 'On Top of the World' Sheet Music". Universal Music Publishing Group. MN0112551. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Imagine Dragons – Continued Silence EP". AbsolutePunk. July 25, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  3. ↑ "On Top of the World Chords". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  4. ↑ http://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/video/watch/19488913/imagine-dragons-on-top-of-the-world/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "'On Top of the World' to be featured in FIFA 2013!". Imaginedragonsmusic.com. Interscope. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kyte, Kathryn (October 4, 2012). "Debut Spotlight: Imagine Dragons". Shaw Media. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Gomez, Luis (March 10, 2013). "Interview: Imagine Dragons singer savors flight on the wings of success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ http://savannahnow.com/do/2013-10-14/review-hunter-hayes-rocks-savannah#.UmcQZZTEodY
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1717376/imagine-dragons-on-top-of-the-world-video-kubrick.jhtml
  10. ↑ http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsinternet/57129048-71/video-band-com-provo.html.csp
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "On Top of the World – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (POR). Apple. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Paul Grein (April 30, 2014). "Chart Watch: Pharrell Steps Up". Yahoo Music.
  13. ↑ Night Visions (Deluxe Edition) (liner notes). Imagine Dragons. Interscope Records. 2013.
  14. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada AC for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  20. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201439 into search.
  21. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in French). Les classement single.
  22. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 45, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Top Digital Download - Classifica settimanale WK 32 (dal 04-08-2014 al 10-08-2014)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Imagine Dragons search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Portugal Digital Songs for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 20. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-04-06". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  32. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201428 into search. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  34. ↑ "South African Airplay Chart Top 10 - January 14, 2014". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Singles Top 60. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Swiss Singles Chart.
  37. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-04-13" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rock Airplay for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Imagine Dragons. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2013" (in German). VIVA. Viacom International Media Networks. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  43. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  44. ↑ "FIMI - Classifiche Annuali 2014 "TOP OF THE MUSIC" FIMI-GfK: un anno di musica italiana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  45. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Adult Alternative Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  47. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  48. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Music Canada.
  49. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". IFPI Denmark.
  50. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved November 21, 2014. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Imagine Dragons in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  51. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  53. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2014" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  54. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Imagine Dragons; 'On Top of the World')". Hung Medien.
  55. ↑ "British single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". British Phonographic Industry. Enter On Top of the World in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  56. ↑ "American single certifications – Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  57. ↑ "On Top Of The World de Imagine Dragons". 7digital (PT). Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 "On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons". Spotify. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  59. ↑ "AAA". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  60. ↑ "On Top of the World" (SINGLE) (Media notes). Imagine Dragons. Interscope Records/KIDinaKORNER. 2014. OTOTW1.
  61. ↑ "On Top of the World (RAC Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  62. ↑ "On Top of the World (RAC Remix) – Single von Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (DE) (in German). Apple. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  63. ↑ "On Top of the World (RAC Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  64. ↑ Aldi, Giorgia. "Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World (Interscope Records)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Retrieved May 30, 2014.

External links