Top of the World (Bridgit Mendler song)

"Top of the World"
"Top of the World"
Single by Bridgit Mendler
from the album Hello My Name Is...
Released	July 17, 2013
Recorded	2011
Genre	Pop; R&B;
Length	3:28
Label	Hollywood
Songwriter(s)	Bridgit Mendler; Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou; Jai Marlon; Laura Raia; David Ryan; Freddy Wexler;
Producer(s)	Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou; Andrew "Goldstein" Goldstein;
Bridgit Mendler singles chronology

"Top of the World" is a song by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler, taken from Mendler's debut studio album, Hello My Name Is... (2012). It was composed by Mendler, Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou, Jai Marlon, Laura Raia, David Ryan and Freddy Wexler. The song was released as a promotional single to Radio Disney on October 12, 2012 and official single on July 17, 2013.^[2]^[3]

The song was acclaimed by music critics, who praised Mendler's vocals and the song's pop influence.

Background, development and release

The song was written by Mendler and American songwriters Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou, Jai Marlon, Laura Raia, David Ryan and Freddy Wexler, and produced by Kiriakou and Andrew "Goldstein" Goldstein. Lyrically, the song is an ode to love, relationship and perseverance in love.^[4] The song was exclusively released as a promotional single on October 12, 2012 on Radio Disney.^[2] The song was released as a third official single on July 17, 2013.^[5]

Critical reception

The song has received generally positive reviews from music critics. The Maximum Pop Magazine said that "Top of the World" is lovely and catchy, the composition is solid and sweet and Mendler showed versatility.^[6] Kai of the magazine Embrace You commented that the intro of the song is attractive and sounds like "a dramatic melody straight out of a classic black and white film with captions instead of voices". She also said that the transition into a more poppy and dance beat was a good surprise. But to Kai, Mendler’s high pitches during the chorus make this part of the song annoying and painful. She concluded that the song was "satisfactory".^[7] Plugged In said it was falling in love with the song and commented positively on Mendler's vocal power.^[8] Guilherme Tintel to It Pop was positive and said the song mixing soul and R & B and combines with the composition.^[9]

Tim Sendra of AllMusic gave a positive review, praising Mendler's "fine singing voice" and her "songwriting chops".^[10] Xinhau of Spin or Bin Music was positive and commented that "Top of the World" sounds like "Ready or Not" and said "left me to question whether or not it was a conscious decision".^[11] Trey M. to Rickey gave a negative review and said that the song sounds amazing, but it is forgettable.^[12]

Music video

The music video was filmed on Griffith Park, in Los Angeles^[13] and directed by Matt Wyatt.^[14] It was premiered on Mendler's VEVO on November 16, 2013.^[14] The video was recorded it on her own, independent of Hollywood Records. The song on the video is an acoustic version.^[15]

Live performances

The song was performed on all dates of her tours Bridgit Mendler: Live in Concert and Summer Tour. The song was featured on the twelfth season of American Idol during the episode "Charlotte Auditions". On July 23, 2013, Mendler performed the song on her official VEVO for 'The Hurricane Sessions'.^[16]

Credits and personnel

Credits for the album version of "Top of the World" are adapted from Hello My Name Is... liner notes.^[17]

Bridgit Mendler – vocals, songwriter, background vocals
Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou – Songwriter, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Ukulele,
Laura Raia – Songwriter
David Ryan – Songwriter
Freddy Wexler – Songwriter
Jai Marlon – Songwriter, Keyboards, Programming, String Arrangements, Strings, Synthesizer, Whistle
Andrew "Goldstein" Goldstein – Producer, Background vocals, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Programming
Jeremiah Olvera – Mixing Assistant

David Ryan – Guitar
Phil Shaouy – Guitar
Donnell Shawn Butler – Background vocals
Donnell Shawn – Background vocals
Spencer Lee – Background vocals
Freddy Wexler – Keyboards, Producer, String Arrangements, Strings, Synthesizer, Vocal Producer, Whistle
Pat Thrall – Editing
Jens Koerkemeier – Editing, Engineer
Chris Gehringer – Mastering
Serban Ghenea – Mixing