Top of the World (Brandy song)

"Top of the World"
"Top of the World"
Single by Brandy featuring Mase
from the album Never Say Never
Released	July 7, 1998
Length	4:41
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	LaShawn Daniels; Fred Jerkins III; Rodney Jerkins; Isaac Phillips; Nycolia Turman; Mason Betha;
Producer(s)	Rodney Jerkins; Brandy;
Brandy singles chronology
Mase singles chronology

"Top of the World" is a song by American singer 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 1998, the track peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 20 in Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.

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. 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".

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 chart.

Music video[]

A music video for "Top of the World" was directed by Paul Hunter and filmed in June 1998.^[1] 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.^[2]

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."

Track listings[]

Australian CD single
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Top of the World" (No Rap Edit)	LaShawn Daniels Fred Jerkins III Rodney Jerkins Isaac Phillips Nycolia Turman Mason Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	3:32
2.	"Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	4:11
3.	"Top of the World" (LP Version)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	4:41
4.	"Top of the World" (Boogiesoul Remix Radio Edit)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a] Boogiemann^[a]	4:16
5.	"The Boy Is Mine" (Radio Edit With Intro; duet with Monica)	Daniels R. Jerkins F. Jerkins Japhe Tejeda Brandy Norwood	Darkchild Dallas Austin Brandy	4:00

UK Part I CD single
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	4:11
2.	"Top of the World" (No Rap Edit)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	3:32
3.	"Top of the World" (Instrumental)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	4:41

Remix single
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Top of the World" (Edit featuring Mase)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a]	4:11
2.	"Top of the World" (Boogiesoul Remix Radio Edit)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha	Darkchild Brandy^[a] Boogiemann^[a]	4:16
3.	"Top of the World" (Part II featuring Fat Joe & Big Pun)	Daniels F. Jerkins R. Jerkins Phillips Turman Betha Ahmad Lewis Christopher Rios Stephan Gordy Joseph Cartagena	Darkchild	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.

Credits and personnel[]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Never Say Never.^[3]

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[]

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[4]	39
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[5]	22
Canada Dance (RPM)^[6]	1
Canada Urban (RPM)^[7]	1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[8]	20
France (SNEP)^[9]	39
Germany (Official German Charts)^[10]	42
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[11]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[12]	18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[13]	5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[14]	52
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[15]	11
Scotland (OCC)^[16]	17
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[17]	52
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[18]	42
UK Singles (OCC)^[19]	2
UK R&B (OCC)^[20]	1
US Radio Songs (Billboard)^[21]	44
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)^[22]	4
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[23]	10

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1998)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[24]	81
Canada Urban (RPM)^[25]	7
UK Singles (OCC)^[26]	107

Certifications[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[27]	Silver	200,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

List of release dates, showing region, release format, and label
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
United States	July 7, 1998 (1998-07-07)	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Atlantic	^[28]
United Kingdom	September 28, 1998 (1998-09-28)	12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Atlantic	^[29]

References[]

^ "Mase Duets With Brandy, Forms Record Label". MTV News. June 3, 1998. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
^ Porter, Nina (January 25, 2000). The Brandy Star Profile. Master Dance Tones.
^ Never Say Never (Media notes). Brandy Norwood. Atlantic Records. 1998.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Australian-charts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7054." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^ "RPM Dance". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 28, 1998. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
^ "RPM Urban Top 30". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 7, 1998. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 42. October 17, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
^ "Lescharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Brandy – Top of the World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 301 Vikuna 27.11–4.11. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 27, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Top of the World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
^ "Brandy-Top of the world" (in Dutch). top40.nl.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Brandy – Top of the World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Charts.nz – Brandy – Top of the World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
^ "Brandy Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
^ "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
^ "Brandy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
^ "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63 no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^ "RPM's Top 50 Urban Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "British single certifications – Brandy – Sitting on Top of the World". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1255. July 3, 1998. p. 48. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 26, 1998. p. 33. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

External links[]

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

[1] "Mase Duets With Brandy, Forms Record Label". MTV News. June 3, 1998. Retrieved May 24, 2021.

[sp-2] Porter, Nina (January 25, 2000). The Brandy Star Profile. Master Dance Tones.

[booklet-3] Never Say Never (Media notes). Brandy Norwood. Atlantic Records. 1998.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[sc_Australia_Brandy-4] "Australian-charts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-5] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7054." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

[6] "RPM Dance". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 28, 1998. Retrieved June 7, 2020.

[7] "RPM Urban Top 30". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 7, 1998. Retrieved June 7, 2020.

[8] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 42. October 17, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved January 7, 2018.

[sc_France_Brandy-9] "Lescharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_Germany_Brandy-10] "Offiziellecharts.de – Brandy – Top of the World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2018.

[11] "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 301 Vikuna 27.11–4.11. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 27, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved June 7, 2020.

[sc_Ireland2_-12] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Top of the World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 18, 2018.

[13] "Brandy-Top of the world" (in Dutch). top40.nl.

[sc_Dutch100_Brandy-14] "Dutchcharts.nl – Brandy – Top of the World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_New_Zealand_Brandy-15] "Charts.nz – Brandy – Top of the World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_Scotland_Brandy-16] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Sweden_Brandy-17] "Swedishcharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_Switzerland_Brandy-18] "Swisscharts.com – Brandy – Top of the World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 20, 2012.

[sc_UK_Brandy-19] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

[sc_UKrandb_Brandy-20] "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Billboardradiosongs_Brandy-21] "Brandy Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphopairplay_Brandy-22] "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.

[sc_Billboardrhythmic_Brandy-23] "Brandy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2014.

[24] "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63 no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

[25] "RPM's Top 50 Urban Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

[26] "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[United_KingdomBrandySitting_on_Top_of_the_WorldsingleCertRef-27] "British single certifications – Brandy – Sitting on Top of the World". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2020.

[28] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1255. July 3, 1998. p. 48. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

[29] "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 26, 1998. p. 33. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

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show v t Brandy Norwood
Awards and nominations Discography Filmography Songs Videography
Studio albums	Brandy Never Say Never Full Moon Afrodisiac Human Two Eleven B7
Compilation albums	The Best of Brandy
Extended plays	U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To) – The Remix EP Full Moon: Remixes
Concert tours	Never Say Never World Tour Human World Tour Slayana World Tour
Related topics	Brandy Norwood products Ray J (brother) Willie Norwood (father)
Category

show v t Brandy Norwood songs
Brandy	"Baby" "Best Friend" "Brokenhearted" "I Wanna Be Down"
Never Say Never	"Almost Doesn't Count" "Angel in Disguise" "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" "Have You Ever?" "Never Say Never" "The Boy Is Mine" "Top of the World" "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)"
Full Moon	"Another Day in Paradise" "Die Without You" "Full Moon" "He Is" "What About Us?"
Afrodisiac	"Afrodisiac" "Should I Go" "Talk About Our Love" "Turn It Up" "Who Is She 2 U"
Human	"Long Distance" "Right Here (Departed)" "True"
Two Eleven	"Put It Down" "Scared of Beautiful" "Wildest Dreams"
B7	"Baby Mama" "Borderline" "Love Again" "No Tomorrow"
Collaborations	"It All Belongs to Me" "Magic" "Missing You" "Optimistic" "Talk to Me" "The Girl Is Mine" "Wake Up Everybody" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"
Other songs	"Beggin & Pleadin" "Freedom Rings" "Sittin' Up in My Room"

show v t Mase
Albums	Harlem World Double Up Welcome Back
Singles	"Feel So Good" "What You Want" "Lookin' at Me" "Get Ready" "Welcome Back" "Breathe, Stretch, Shake"
Featured singles	"Only You" "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" "Mo Money Mo Problems" "Been Around the World" "Top of the World" "Horse & Carriage" "Take Me There" "I Really Like It"
Other songs	"24 Hrs. to Live"
Related articles	Discography Harlem World The Movement