Top Of The World
Dixie Chicks Lyrics


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I wished I was smarter, I wished I was stronger
I wished I love Jesus, the way my wife does
I wish it had been easier, instead of any longer
I wished I could have stood where you would have been proud
That won't happen now, that won't happen now

[chorus]
There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard
Disappearing everyday without so much as a word somehow
Think I broke the wings off that little song bird
She's never gonna fly to the top of the world right now
Top of the world

I don't have to answer any of these questions
Don't have no God to teach me no lessons
I come home in the evening, sit in my chair
One night they called me for supper, but I never got up
I stayed right there, in my chair

[chorus]
There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard
Disappearing everyday without so much as a word somehow
Think I broke the wings off that little song bird
She's never gonna fly to the top of the world right now
Top of the world

I wished I'd a known you, wished I'd a shown you
All of the things I was on the inside
I'd pretend to be sleeping, when you come in in the morning
To whisper good-bye, go to work in the rain
I don't know why, don't know why

Cause everyone's singing, we just wanna be heard
Disappearing every day without so much as a word somehow
Wanna grab a hold of that little song bird
Take her for a ride to the top of the world right now
Whoa, whoa
To the top of the world, to the top of the world




To the top of the world, to the top of the world, to the top of the world
To the top of the world, to the top of the world, to the top of the world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Top Of The World by Dixie Chicks are thought-provoking and speak of regret, loss and missed opportunities. The song starts with the singer’s longing for intellect, strength and faith that his wife possesses. He wishes for things to have been easier and regrets not having lived up to someone’s expectations. The line “That won’t happen now” emphasizes the strength of regret and the fact that the past cannot be changed.


In the chorus, the singer talks about the songs that disappear without ever being heard. He acknowledges the broken wings of a little songbird and the fact that it may never fly to the top of the world. This can be interpreted as either the singer feeling like he himself is the little songbird, or referring to someone else, but regardless, the idea is that they have been held back from achieving their full potential.


The third and final verse speaks of the singer’s regret for not showing his true self to someone. He pretended to be asleep when they left in the morning and didn’t bid them farewell. The song ends with the singer longing to help the little songbird fly to the top of the world, showing his desire for redemption and a chance to help someone else reach their potential.


Overall, Top Of The World is a poignant and introspective song about missed opportunities, self-reflection, and a desire for redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

I wished I was smarter, I wished I was stronger
I wish I had more intelligence and physical strength


I wished I love Jesus, the way my wife does
I wish I had the same level of religious devotion as my wife


I wish it had been easier, instead of any longer
I wish the challenges I faced were shorter and simpler


I wished I could have stood where you would have been proud
I wish I could have accomplished something that would have made you proud


That won't happen now, that won't happen now
That opportunity has passed and cannot be changed


There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard
There are many people who have a voice but will never be heard


Disappearing everyday without so much as a word somehow
They are disappearing silently and unnoticed


Think I broke the wings off that little song bird
I ruined the chance for someone talented to succeed


She's never gonna fly to the top of the world right now
She will never achieve the highest level of success at this moment


I don't have to answer any of these questions
I am not obligated to respond to these inquiries


Don't have no God to teach me no lessons
I don't have a higher power to provide guidance


I come home in the evening, sit in my chair
I return home after a long day and relax in my seat


One night they called me for supper, but I never got up
I was too lazy or tired to join my family for dinner


I stayed right there, in my chair
I didn't move from my seated position


I wished I'd a known you, wished I'd a shown you
I wish I had gotten to know you better and demonstrated my true self


All of the things I was on the inside
All the thoughts and emotions I held within


I'd pretend to be sleeping, when you come in in the morning
I would pretend to be asleep to avoid confrontation


To whisper good-bye, go to work in the rain
You left for work while it was raining outside


I don't know why, don't know why
I am unsure of the reason for my behavior


Cause everyone's singing, we just wanna be heard
Many people are eager to share their talents and be recognized


Wanna grab a hold of that little song bird
I want to help someone talented succeed


Take her for a ride to the top of the world right now
I want to help her achieve the highest level of success immediately


To the top of the world, to the top of the world
I want to help her achieve the highest level of success


To the top of the world, to the top of the world, to the top of the world
I want to help her achieve the highest level of success and reach new heights




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@linskay4542

This song hits me so hard, every single time. Bless all of us trying to pick up the pieces and break the family cycles 💜

@laryrumiantzeff

Same here. I bawled my eyes out the first time I watched it

@stephanierobinette4425

What does this song mean anyway ??

@Ilikefrogs..

I cry every time I hear this one.

@linskay4542

@Mia Katharine Myers same. Moves me so deeply thing I’m going to get a song bird with a broken wing tattooed on me some day

@TheBennie102103

@Stephanie Robinette My take is it's about parents neglecting their kids

11 More Replies...

@treejsjsdjsksk

No other song out there like this. They are phenomenal.God bless these girls. Love em🙏🕊️🌹❤️🇨🇦

It's crazy insane how much I can relate to this song in terms to my father as I was his caregiver until the day he passed and the song is bittersweet for me. Dixie chicks or now they are called the chicks need to come back, take their place in music world again 🌹🕊️🙏

@brianhellums-gi8pf

Every time I need to cry it out, I put this song on. I mean “ugly cry”, too. This is one of the most beautiful and gut wrenching songs ever written! I always have and always will be a fan of The Chicks. Dixie or not! ❤

@iamashleyestelle

My heart. I've loved this song since childhood..Every time the violin enters at 4:08 it just sends me.

@SilentBob731

Absolutely one of the greatest songs of all time.
It takes you on a journey, wrings out your heart....and leaves you to think about what it just taught you.
It's really no wonder that these Ladies rank as one of my Top 5 Favourite Bands of All Time. ;-)

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”

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