Top of the world
JAMES (live) Lyrics
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My visions all surrounding
The humans look like insects
There is only one way down
But it's cold and lonely in this stratosphere
Gliding through the darkness
Where is my craft leading to
Am I damned or blessed?
Don't let go on top of the world
Will my good friends desert me
Or will they prove themselves?
Are my demands all greedy
Or are they what I need?
If I will not be faithful
I must accept betrayal
When your turn comes to leave me
Will my free ways have failed?
Don't let go on top of the world
Don't let go on top of the world
I'll meet you inside this hollow world
I'll meet you inside
Hollow world, hollow world
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
And I'm so cold
The song "Top of the World" by JAMES (live) seems to be about someone who has reached the pinnacle of their success or a certain goal and is now reflecting on their journey. The first verse sets up this idea with the singer describing the view from the top as breathtaking and the humans below looking like insects. The second line of the second verse, "Am I damned or blessed?" is the heart of this internal struggle. The singer is questioning if the price they paid for their success was worth it and if they are truly happy at the top. This inner turmoil is then further developed in the chorus where the plea to not let go is repeated twice. The singer is grappling with the fear that they will lose everything they worked for and that their friends, who perhaps helped them or supported them along the way, will abandon them.
The final verse seems to be almost a resolution, or a call for acceptance of what comes. The line "If I will not be faithful, I must accept betrayal" indicates that the singer may have acted selfishly or in a way that alienated their friends, and they must accept the consequences of that. However, the line "When your turn comes to leave me, will my free ways have failed?" is still tinged with fear, indicating that while the singer may be trying to come to terms with their situation, they are still afraid of being alone. The final lines "I'll meet you inside this hollow world, hollow world, it's a long way down, and I'm so cold" reinforce this sense of isolation and trepidation, even at the top.
Overall, this song seems to be a meditation on what happens when one achieves their dreams, but is then confronted with what that really means. There is a sense that the journey to the top was perhaps not as fulfilling as expected and that the singer is left with a sense of unease about what comes next.
Line by Line Meaning
The view from here's breathtaking
I am in awe of the beautiful scenery from high up
My visions all surrounding
My sight is filled with the stunning surroundings of the elevated space
The humans look like insects
The people below are barely visible as small, insignificant creatures from my height
There is only one way down
The only direction I can go is down from this altitude
But it's cold and lonely in this stratosphere
Despite the breathtaking views, the high altitude makes for a cold and isolating environment
Gliding through the darkness
I am smoothly soaring through the dark sky
Where is my craft leading to
I am uncertain of the direction my vehicle is taking me
Am I damned or blessed?
I am questioning whether my current situation is fortunate or unfortunate
Don't let go on top of the world
I do not want to lose my grasp on this elevated position
Will my good friends desert me
I am unsure if my companions will remain loyal at this height
Or will they prove themselves?
I am hopeful that my friends will demonstrate their loyalty and dedication to me
Are my demands all greedy
I am questioning if my requests and needs are excessive and selfish
Or are they what I need?
I am wondering if my requests and needs are necessary and valid
If I will not be faithful
I understand that if I am disloyal to my companions, it may lead to their betrayal
I must accept betrayal
I am prepared for the possibility of being betrayed by those I have been disloyal to
When your turn comes to leave me
If my companions eventually abandon me, I must be ready to accept it
Will my free ways have failed?
I am questioning if my independent and self-serving behavior has caused my downfall
I'll meet you inside this hollow world
I will rendezvous with you in this hollow, enclosed space
Hollow world, hollow world
I am emphasizing the emptiness and confinement of the world we will meet in
It's a long way down
The descent from this height will be a great distance
And I'm so cold
I am experiencing a great deal of physical coldness in this high altitude location
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEE CHRISTOPHER BUTLER, STEVEN LAYCOCK, CHRISTOPHER DAVID RUDALL, OWEN DAVIES, CASEY MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind