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My Gen X Playlist: Top of the World – Shonen Knife

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Who are your current most favorite people?

Mount Whitney is the highest mountain peak in the lower 48 states. It’s a two day trek and the altitude can get to you as you near the summit. I was trailing the group, they were up ahead, out of sight. At one point I sat down on a rock. I was spent. A hiker coming back down from the peak stopped to chat. He saw that I looked done.

“You got to get up, man. Look.” He pointed and trailed his finger along the path that lead to the peak. “You’re almost there. You are so close. You can’t quit now. You gotta see the view. It’s gonna feel good.”

He sat with me for a little while and encouraged me to get up and find the strength to continue on. I slowly got to my feet. He gave me an atta boy pat on my back for encouragement and I slowly slugged my way up the incline. I rounded the curve and found my buddies waiting for me. They wanted all of us to summit together. When we reached the top, we signed our names in the trail book and I thought about the encouraging hiker. He was right. It felt good making it to the top. I’m glad he convinced me not to throw in the towel. I made it thanks to a total stranger.

Hikers are just good people. Always a smile and warm hello. In this case, a few moments of his time so I didn’t miss the joy of reaching the peak. My peeps.

In 1994, a Carpenter’s tribute album came out and I initially bought it for the Cranberries cover of Close to You. It turns out, there were a number of good covers on the album. The album included Shonen Knife’s version of Top of the World. First of all, there is no replacement for Karen Carpenter’s wonderful voice and I’m not suggesting this is anywhere near as good as the original. This is just a fun cover with a little bit more guitar. I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to it the first time.

Mount Whitney may not be the top of the world, but it was close enough for me.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Such a feeling coming over me
There is wonder in the things I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Everything I want the world to be
Is coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear, it's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

On the top of the world looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love put me on the top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world

Something in the wind has learned my name
Telling me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasant sense of happiness for me

There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope I'll find
Tomorrow will be the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here

On the top of the world looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love put me on the top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world

Top of the world
Such a feeling coming over me now
Everything I want the world to be now
On top on top on top of the world I'm on the top now I'm on the top now
Top of the world

19 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Top of the World – Shonen Knife”

  4. I love it when random strangers are kind and supportive. Great story!

    Also, I love Karen Carpenter! When my family moved from Ohio to Arizona back in 1973, we all piled in our station wagon and began the 2,000 mile trek on the road. It wasn’t long until my Dad realized that he had forgotten all of our 8-track tapes! So, we stopped at a tourist trap and bought two tapes. One was The Carpenters, and the other one was Merle Haggard. We listened to Top of the World so many times that I still know it by heart. 🙂

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  7. Wow, I just looked up Mt. Whitney and saw its highest peak is over 14,505 ft above sea level. That’s super high! I live at 730 ft, and found it a little wearing to hike at 8,708 ft in Colorado.

    I enjoyed the cover, too. I agree, it can’t compare to the original, but fun is a good word for it.

    (And apologies, I had Reader open and accidentally left this comment on your previous post! 🧐)

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