On Top of The World
Artist: Imagine
Dragons
Album: Night Visions
Year of Release: 2013
Genre: Alternative
Plays: 317
(note to reader, best experienced while listening to
the song; link in title)
Beginning with a cute
entrance, this song is just uplifting in it's purest form. Starting with a
rhythmic clap (you'll be doing it as you look round the house for your keys) it
feels like it could go anywhere; then the layers begin to build. A whistle-like
motif coming in the 3rd bar to bring in the raw voice of lead singer Dan Reynolds a couple bars later. This is
joined by the signature amazing bass (Ben
McKnee) that Imagine Dragons bring to the floor in a number of their
tracks which drives the song forward. The lyrics together with this voice and
bass encourage you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when things get
hard. "Take it in but don't look down", the line leading to the
chorus where the accompaniment is removed to leave the sustained chords and the
lone guitar strumming chords makes you listen in before a full chorus comes in
with all the voices! *Tingles* And you'll notice that whistle motif is
back? This is where the title comes in, repeating throughout the chorus with an
"eh!" at the end of the lines perfect for a festival audience vs band
mic passover.
Clapping bring in the
next verse where you hear life lessons about just keeping on going on and
how a half hearted attempt just won't cut it. Then the chorus comes back where
you might start humming that little whistling motif? You humming
yet? Bring in a middle 8! "Oooooooooooh ooh ooh" repeat which
could be extended live to get the audience in again, or in your shower concert.
Adding in instruments individually, all the harmony potential!!!! Aaaaahhhh
just do it! This comes into the "I know it's hard when you're falling
down and it's a long way up but you'll make it round, get up now get up"
which just enforces the message of the song; that positive attitude. Then to
top it off they merge it with the chorus lyrics and my heart skips a
beat a bit... It's a beautiful use of melodies singing together but apart.
The song ends as it begins:
with those claps. Then we hit repeat and don't even notice.
Keep listening,
Naomi
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