Thank you very much for posting this version of this song as well as your fine video. To me, this version is gentler and better than the single (45) version.
The album version is great too, it sounds more purer and original, a signature song for the Carpenters and Karen especially a one in a million talent. Beautiful video montage too!
This was the original version from the album A Song for you released in 1972. Do to popular demand, it was remixed in 1973, released as a single and went to #1 in December of 73
I'm not the world's expert on them, but I have heard that when Lynn Anderson recorded it and it did well on the Country Charts - Richard decided to re record it and modify it a bit and then it was a Hit for them on A&M Records as a Single -
@No1KCfan6 (continued) Gil Friesen, an A&M co-worker, argued that they had released too many records from the A Song for You album already. Regardless, they released "Top of the World" as a single in May 1973 in response to the heavy public demand, and it became Carpenters' second Billboard #1 hit, in December 1973. So apparently this is the situation: the carpenters recorded it first but didn't release it as a single (cont.)
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) anderson, upon hearing the carpenters' version, decided to record it as a single and released it in early 1973. "in response to the heavy public demand" the carps released TOTW as a single in may 1973. so the carps recorded it first, and anderson, upon hearing their version, decided to record it herself and release it to the public. and then the carps recorded it as a single and released it due to high public demand.
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) also, the song was written by richard carpenter and john bettis. lynn anderson's version reached No. 2 on the US billboard hot country singles chart, NOT No.1. and the carps version went to No. 1 on the US billboard hot 100 chart and spent two weeks there, while anderson's only managed to peak at a dismal #78 on that same chart.
Only differences I hear is a different intro on the steel guitar part [and some other spots], hardly any reverb [echo], the mix is different in volume level of other sections, like you can hardly hear the strings but they sound identical to the single, where the strings are louder on the single.. A story I read was Karen was not satisfied with her vocal when they decided to release it as a single the next year in 1973 after country singer Lynn Anderson did a version that went to #2 on he country music charts. . But if Karen did redo the vocal, I hear absolutely no difference. She was a perfectionist.
@Readb4uvote hmm...maybe she made a hit out of "top of the world," but if you go to wikipedia, you'll read that the carps *recorded* the song first; it just wasn't recorded as a single and released right away. from wiki, under "The Carpenters": "Lynn Anderson had heard the album cut version in 1972 and decided to record her own version. Anderson released her version in early 1973; Richard and Karen debated as to whether or not they should release their version on a single. (continued)
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) take just 1 example. the song "here you come again" by dolly parton was a #1 hit on the count. chart and a #3 hit on the pop chart in 77. there are many songs that have done this. so just because a song is considered country doesn't mean it can't rise to a high position on the pop charts. the fact that anderson's version is classified as country had nothing to do with its ability or inability in 1973 to rise up high in the charts. so i have shot down your argument (cont.)
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) after anderson heard the song, she effectively stole the song from the carps, made her own recording, and released it. it went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart (wikipedia). The apparent fact that it went to #1 on this "cashbox" doesn't count; it's not the chart that is most recognized. Now, as far as this "the carps are pop singers, so of course their version went higher on the pop charts" is the silliest thing i've ever heard. (cont.)
I am looking for a various artist version which starts with a saxophone its a rap version .. may you guys help me with that if you ever had listened to that version .. pleeeeeeeese
@JJayFin @JJayFin you don't know what you're talking about. readb4youvote stated (and i see that most of his comments have suddenly vanished since you've made your posts) that lynn anderson had the first smash hit with TOTW and that it went to #1 on the country charts. what he failed to mention was that richard carpenter, along with john bettis, WROTE the song, and also that the carps recorded the song FIRST. they just didn't release it as a single right away. (cont.)
@No1KCfan6 the carps version beat the socks off of anderson's version simply because it is better. if the fans had thought that anderson's version was better, hers would have been the bigger hit.
Is karen your favorite vocalist? If so, please go to this web site: the-top-tens.......search for "best female singer of all time" and "greatest singer of all time" and cast your vote! Bring karen to #1 where she belongs!
@Readb4uvote it's *your* truth. i won't be reading any further comments u post. u just can't get over the fact that karen's voice is infinitely superior to anderson's run-of-the-mill voice, that is it admired by millions of people worldwide, is emulated by many people but matched by none, and that many contemporary singers' voices are likened to karen's because she had such a unique voice. how many vocalists try to emulate anderson's voice? none, because it is so mundane. now drop dead.
I honestly like this version a lot better, it’s what I grew up listening to. This is a lot more original, calm, and pure and it’s great
A beautiful life cut tragically short. Lovely Karen will forever be in our hearts.
Simply the best female pop singer of all time.......
Absolutely!
What a crystal clear voice !!!!
thank you sooo much for this version. i never heard it. karen have a voice made of crystal. beautiful. she's in my heart every day.
Thank you very much for posting this version of this song as well as your fine video. To me, this version is gentler and better than the single (45) version.
the single is much more country-styled.
I didn’t even know that this was a slightly different version until I read these comments
Really Love this version
My dad really liked this one. I like it too.
Thanks 😊!!
i listen this when i was a kid but now i still love it even though i dont like new songs 2011
wow!!!!!!! great!!!!! I've never listened to the song like this before!!
The album version is great too, it sounds more purer and original, a signature song for the Carpenters and Karen especially a one in a million talent. Beautiful video montage too!
it sounds more folk than country
thanks alot.
Her voice so pure n innocent ( sexy at times too ).
This was the original version from the album A Song for you released in 1972. Do to popular demand, it was remixed in 1973, released as a single and went to #1 in December of 73
It wasn't just remixed for the single version, they re-recorded it. The vocals are different for a start....
They re-recorded it after Lynn Anderson made it popular on the country charts, after Lynn heard it on this album.
My album of A Song for You uses the single mix
I'm not the world's expert on them, but I have heard that when Lynn Anderson recorded it and it did well on the Country Charts - Richard decided to re record it and modify it a bit and then it was a Hit for them on A&M Records as a Single -
I like this version the best.
So beautiful xxx
Nostalgic song =)
Exceptional posting! Thanks so very much.
@No1KCfan6 (continued) Gil Friesen, an A&M co-worker, argued that they had released too many records from the A Song for You album already. Regardless, they released "Top of the World" as a single in May 1973 in response to the heavy public demand, and it became Carpenters' second Billboard #1 hit, in December 1973. So apparently this is the situation: the carpenters recorded it first but didn't release it as a single (cont.)
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) anderson, upon hearing the carpenters' version, decided to record it as a single and released it in early 1973. "in response to the heavy public demand" the carps released TOTW as a single in may 1973. so the carps recorded it first, and anderson, upon hearing their version, decided to record it herself and release it to the public. and then the carps recorded it as a single and released it due to high public demand.
que recuerdos tan bonitos al escucharla, simplemente preciosa
this song in my memories when I was young with my boy frend love song. I love this song carpenters top at the word. popular song.
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) also, the song was written by richard carpenter and john bettis. lynn anderson's version reached No. 2 on the US billboard hot country singles chart, NOT No.1. and the carps version went to No. 1 on the US billboard hot 100 chart and spent two weeks there, while anderson's only managed to peak at a dismal #78 on that same chart.
Saudades... Karen!
Only differences I hear is a different intro on the steel guitar part [and some other spots], hardly any reverb [echo], the mix is different in volume level of other sections, like you can hardly hear the strings but they sound identical to the single, where the strings are louder on the single.. A story I read was Karen was not satisfied with her vocal when they decided to release it as a single the next year in 1973 after country singer Lynn Anderson did a version that went to #2 on he country music charts. . But if Karen did redo the vocal, I hear absolutely no difference. She was a perfectionist.
@MrDDRO me too, and now im singing it to my love.Such a wonderful song.
i love them
@Readb4uvote hmm...maybe she made a hit out of "top of the world," but if you go to wikipedia, you'll read that the carps *recorded* the song first; it just wasn't recorded as a single and released right away. from wiki, under "The Carpenters": "Lynn Anderson had heard the album cut version in 1972 and decided to record her own version. Anderson released her version in early 1973; Richard and Karen debated as to whether or not they should release their version on a single. (continued)
i like the single version better (the one you hear most often). there's more depth in her voice on that one.
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) take just 1 example. the song "here you come again" by dolly parton was a #1 hit on the count. chart and a #3 hit on the pop chart in 77. there are many songs that have done this. so just because a song is considered country doesn't mean it can't rise to a high position on the pop charts. the fact that anderson's version is classified as country had nothing to do with its ability or inability in 1973 to rise up high in the charts. so i have shot down your argument (cont.)
Muy lindo..
@No1KCfan6 (cont.) after anderson heard the song, she effectively stole the song from the carps, made her own recording, and released it. it went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart (wikipedia). The apparent fact that it went to #1 on this "cashbox" doesn't count; it's not the chart that is most recognized. Now, as far as this "the carps are pop singers, so of course their version went higher on the pop charts" is the silliest thing i've ever heard. (cont.)
I am looking for a various artist version which starts with a saxophone its a rap version .. may you guys help me with that if you ever had listened to that version .. pleeeeeeeese
Its less country, its more like folk and pop.
This is better than the remix which was the hit. A delightful tune. But I don't think Karen could do happiness like she could sadness.
@JJayFin @JJayFin you don't know what you're talking about. readb4youvote stated (and i see that most of his comments have suddenly vanished since you've made your posts) that lynn anderson had the first smash hit with TOTW and that it went to #1 on the country charts. what he failed to mention was that richard carpenter, along with john bettis, WROTE the song, and also that the carps recorded the song FIRST. they just didn't release it as a single right away. (cont.)
@JJayFin they played it in the HBO series Big Love? that makes it better? ur kidding me, right?
a bit different from the version I had heard.
@No1KCfan6 the carps version beat the socks off of anderson's version simply because it is better. if the fans had thought that anderson's version was better, hers would have been the bigger hit.
Angel heavily voice 😇😇😇😇😇😂.
Is karen your favorite vocalist? If so, please go to this web site: the-top-tens.......search for "best female singer of all time" and "greatest singer of all time" and cast your vote! Bring karen to #1 where she belongs!
Who are here after natu Natu 95th Oscars(2023) Winning speech by Composer M.M. Keeravani(INDIA)
Vim pelo Shrek
@Readb4uvote it's *your* truth. i won't be reading any further comments u post. u just can't get over the fact that karen's voice is infinitely superior to anderson's run-of-the-mill voice, that is it admired by millions of people worldwide, is emulated by many people but matched by none, and that many contemporary singers' voices are likened to karen's because she had such a unique voice. how many vocalists try to emulate anderson's voice? none, because it is so mundane. now drop dead.
No. Like album version better. This version has none of her lower register.
This is the album version.
1973 remix is better.
I like this better. She sounds relaxed, not forced happiness, carpenters strength was their sad songs.....
@Readb4uvote hmm...never heard of her before today. my next-door neighbor can sing better than that.