On Top of the World
Imagine Dragons Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you love somebody
Better tell them why they're here 'cause
They just may run away from you

You'll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you
I've had the highest mountains
I've had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps movin'

Now take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, ayy
I'm on top of the world, ayy
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, ayy
Been holding it in for a while, ayy
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

I've tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn't have 'cause
I've traveled all this way for something

I take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, ayy
I'm on top of the world, ayy
Been waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, ayy
Been holding it in for a while, ayy
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

'Cause I'm on top of the world, ayy
I'm on top of the world, ayy
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, ayy
Been holding it in for a while, ayy
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child

And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
But get up now, get up, get up now

And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now

'Cause I'm on top of the world, ayy
I'm on top of the world, ayy
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, ayy
Been holding it in for a while, ayy
Take you with me if I can




Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

Overall Meaning

The song "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons talks about the importance of expressing your feelings to the people you love. The first stanza talks about the fear of losing someone you love without telling them how much they mean to you. As humans, we often take people for granted, but we only realize their importance when we've lost them. The second stanza talks about how life is unpredictable and that you never know what might happen. It's a reminder to live in the present and not worry about the future.


In the chorus, the singer talks about how he's on top of the world, waiting for this moment for a long time, and how he's proud of himself for getting here. He acknowledges the hardships he had to endure to reach this point and how he's been holding in his emotions for a while. He wants to take this moment with him forever, as he's been dreaming of it since childhood.


The third verse talks about how the singer tried to take shortcuts in life, but he always fell short of something. He could have given up, but he didn't because he had a goal to achieve. He's now on top of the world and is grateful for the journey that brought him here.


Overall, "On Top of The World" is an uplifting song that motivates the listener to pursue their dreams and appreciate the people in their lives. It encourages people not to give up on their goals, even when the path seems tough.


Line by Line Meaning

If you love somebody
If you feel an emotion of love for anyone


Better tell them why they're here 'cause
You should communicate to that person their importance in your life


They just may run away from you
They may distance themselves from you due to various reasons


You'll never know what went well
Often, you can't comprehend what went well


Then again it just depends on
It depends on different factors


How long of time is left for you
The duration of time that remains for you


I've had the highest mountains
I have experienced the peaks of success


I've had the deepest rivers
I have encountered the lowest points in life


You can have it all but not til you move it
Unless you put in the effort, you can't achieve everything


Now take it in but don't look down
Absorb everything but don't lose focus


'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm at the height of success


Waiting on this for a while now
I have waited patiently for this moment


Paying my dues to the dirt
I have worked hard and my efforts have been rewarded


I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
I have longed to express my happiness


Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
I have been reserving my joy and energy


Take it with me if I can
I want to enjoy this moment as much as possible


Been dreaming of this since a child
I have had this goal since my childhood


I've tried to cut these corners
I have attempted to take shortcuts


Try to take the easy way out
I have yearned for alternatives that are less challenging


I kept on falling short of something
I was unable to achieve my objective despite my earnest endeavors


I coulda gave up then but
I could have given up previously


Then again I couldn't have 'cause
However, the desire to succeed never ceased


I've traveled all this way for something
I've come so far to achieve this goal


And I know it's hard when you're falling down
I'm aware of how it feels when things don't go well


And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
It takes a long period to recover when you hit rock-bottom


Get up now, get up, get up now
But you have to pick yourself up and try again


I'm on top of the world
I'm happy and successful




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Junior Grant, Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@XIII_Vanitas

List of references in this video (help me find all of them!):
0:03 Danny's trike ("The Shining", Stanley Kubrick)
0:07 "Stan and Brick" (STANley kuBRICK)
0:11 "Sno Gard" logo on kid's shirt ("Dragons" backwards)
0:13 "Monolith" brand (the monolith from "2001: A Space Odyssey", Stanley Kubrick)
0:17 The carpet pattern of the Overlook hotel ("The Shining) [Thanks to +Waliur Rahman!]
0:23 Dan Reynold's outfit and the fastback Mustang (Steve McQueen in "Bullitt") [Thanks to +jdearnray!]
0:24 The house number "2001" ("2001: A Space Odyssey")
0:34 "Ragged Insomnia" on the car window ("Imagine Dragons" anagram)
0:36 Paul McCartney's portrait on the wall ("Paul is dead" urban legend), next to an ancient pistol (pistol duel from "Barry Lyndon", Stanley Kubrick) [Thanks to Chad Tindale!]
0:36 Ludwig van Beethoven's bust on the wall ("A Clockwork Orange", Stanley Kubrick) [Thanks to Chad Tindale!]
0:37 Freemason floor on the glasses reflex [Thanks to TukyChannel!]
0:39 The twin kids (the dead twins from "The Shining") [Thanks to Biscuitknife Games!]
0:40 Typewriter on the shelf on the left (Jack's typewriter*, from "The Shining") [Thanks to Chad Tindale!]
*it's not the same model of typewriter, but it's a clear reference
0:41 "The Eye within the Pyramid" on the wall in the background (just like the Sno Gard fake logo and the freemason floor, it's mocking the Illuminati conspiracy theory) [Thanks to Dammy Ogunmoye!]
0:45 Dan Platzman's rider regalia, helmet and bike ("Easy rider", in which Jack Nicholson also starred) [Thanks to +jdearnray!]
0:49 "Sno Gard" logo on jacket
0:51 Route 237, Scenic Overlook (room 237 of the Overlook Hotel, from "The Shining") [Thanks to +Josh Whitney!]
0:53 TV flickers show "Sno Gard" on screen
0:59 Left car numberplate spells "LOLITA" if read upside down ("Lolita", Stanley Kubrick)
1:01 Abbey Road reference (The Beatles)
1:03 Right car numberplate spells "BENISDEAD" ("Paul is dead" urban legend)
1:05 "0009LAH" camera (HAL9000, character of "2001: A Space Odyssey")
1:06 "LUNA" is spelled on the recorder (it means "MOON")
1:24 "Sno Gard" logo and "Apollo 11" logo on space suits
1:36 The USA rocket was on Danny Torrance's sweater in "The Shining" [Thanks to +jdearnray!]
1:42 Reference to USSR space program
1:55 "One FALSE step for man, one giant DECEIT for mankind" (wordplay on Neil Armstrong's famous speech during the Moon landing) [Thanks to +Benjamin Gates!]
2:00 TV flickers show the word "Redrum" on screen ("Murder" anagram, "The Shining") [Thanks to +Chimbonda!]
2:16 "Hollywood: Moon Landing - Production: Sno Gard - Director: S. K." ("Stanley Kubrick faked the Apollo 11 Moon landing" conspiracy theory)
2:41 Richard Nixon and Stanley Kubrick
2:52 Golf on the Moon (Alan Shepard, Apollo 14)
3:04 Beatle bass [Thanks to +al5353al5353!]

Hands down, this is one of the greatest music videos ever made. Thank you, Matt Eastin, Corey Fox, and Imagine Dragons.



@benjimangates2701

I'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS VIDEO FOR YEARS, AND THIS IS EVERY REFERENCE I'VE FOUND.

SNOGARD is DRAGONS backwards.
The kid and his Big Wheel represent Danny from the Shining. 
His SNOGARD shirt is inspired by Danny's Apollo 11 sweater in The Shining
The name of the TV store written on the window is "Stan & Brick Appliances"  (Stanley Kubrick)
The brand/model of the TV is Monolith (2001 Space Odessa reference. Another Kubrick Movie)
1960s wall hanging behind Dan’s family is the carpet pattern from The Shining
Dan's wardrobe and hair look inspired by Steve McQueen's character in the 1968/69 movie Bullitt.
Dan is Driving a 1968 Mustang GT Fastback, same model as Steve McQueen in Bullitt
The number on Dan's house is 2001 from Kubrick's movie "2001 a Space Odyssey"
Upper left corner of Dan's house reads Renting Morals which is an anagram for Neil Armstrong.
Wayne's scene is a representation of Woodstock and the hippie culture of 1969
Written on the bus is Strange Love, a reference  to Kubrick's film "Dr. Strangelove".
Written on the bus is "Nu Blizzard" an anagram for Buzz Aldrin
The painting on the easel is a wooded area with lake and yellow bug. Inspired by opening shot of The Shining.
There is a small ax in one of the stumps, another reference from The Shining
Wayne's jacket has multiple triangle patches (Kubrick, Masonic, Illuminati symbolism)
Wayne drives a yellow VW bug, same car as in The Shining
Wayne's car has a window sticker that reads "Ragged Insomnia" an anagram for Imagine Dragons
There is a teepee which is a triangle and also represents the abundance of Native American imagery in The Shining.
Ben’s character represents the “Paul is Dead” conspiracy theory about The Beatles.
Ben has the Beatles "Mop Top" hair style and inspired British wardrobe.
He steps in front of a picture of Paul McCartney in an astronaut uniform with a decorative gun pointed at his head.
When Ben steps in front of the picture he now has the gun pointed at his head and is surrounded by symbols of death.
Along with various 1960s artwork the wall contains:
Framed Beetles - the actual bugs
Various Jesus images representing death and resurrection (Paul is Dead)
Eagle picture and plaque, a symbol for Apollo 11 "The Eagle" and Illuminati symbol.
Various masonic plaques and wall hangings
Triangle painting with star symbol (All Seeing Eye, Illuminati)
Buddha and Devil masks (Represents the battle between good and evil)
Beethoven busts (Reference from A Clockwork Orange)
Calumet Baking Powder on shelf (Shining Reference)
Typewriter on shelf (Shining Reference)
Sculpture of man losing his mind on shelf (Shining Reference)
Selection of 1960s children's science books with astronaut and space references.
Leather mask hanging on shelf ( "Eyes Wide Shut" Kubrick movie reference).
Black bowler hat on umbrella ("A Clockwork Orange" reference)
Black and White checkered floor ("A Clockwork Orange reference")
Milk on table in Mushroom glasses ("A Clockwork Orange" reference)
Ball and toy cars on table ("The Shining" reference)
Life Magazine on table features John Glenn on cover.
Twin boys represent the twin girls from The Shining with nods to The Beatles and Danny from The Shining with their haircuts.
Ben drives a British car (Beatles)
Platzman looks like Peter Fonda's character in the 1969 movie "Easy Rider"
Platzman wears the trademark "Captain America" helmet and jacket and rides a 1960s era Chopper
Platzman passes two road signs that say Route 237 and Scenic Overlook. Represent Room 237 and The Overlook Hotel in "The Shining".
The crosswalk scene looks just like the Beatles Abby Road album cover and another nod to the "Paul is Dead" conspiracy theory.
Ben is walking in Paul McCartney's spot and has no shoes on.
The license plate on Ben's car changes from the normal number to "Ben is Dead" between Dan and Platzman.
The license plate on the yellow bug reads "Lolita" when turned upside down, another Kubrick movie.
The military Jeep that drives by is a nod to "Full Metal Jacket" a Kubrick movie.
The Jeep has writing over the front wheel that reads Organism Gained, another Imagine Dragons anagram
Security camera has a pulsing red light and reads 0009LAH (Representing Hal 9000 the computer in "2001 A Space Odyssey".
Sign on door reads Restricted Area with another triangle.
Security camera time code reads 07/20/1969 for a few frames, which is the date of the moon landing
Security time code starts with Luna (Spanish for Moon).
While Aja watches TV, there is a black triangle (Pyramid) candle on the TV (Monolith/Illuminati)
When the song stops, Dan says "One FALSE step for man, one giant DECEIT for mankind"
TV flickers showing SNOGARD logo. One frame of the SNOGARD logo actually says REDRUM instead.
Stanley Kubrick and Richard Nixon are both represented on set.
Camera that pulls back has 1002 on it (2001 backwards)
The Native American test pattern on the TV has KDK12 written on it (The radio call letters for The Overlook Hotel in "The Shining")
Eagle on Guitar (Apollo 11/ Illuminati)
Ben playing Paul McCartney style bass.
When girls run through security camera the time code reads 23,8900 for a few frames (Miles from earth to the moon)



@moon_and_water

Lyrics:

If you love somebody
Better tell them why they're here 'cause
They just may run away from you

You'll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you

I've had the highest mountains
I've had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but not til you move it

Now take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

I've tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn't have 'cause
I've traveled all this way for something

Now take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child

And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now

And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world



All comments from YouTube:

@NewYorkTreta

O melhor PES de todos os tempos e a melhor trilha do jogo. 2013 ;)

@miguelgatao4799

New York Treta vc por aqui kk que nostalgia foi aki pelo pes tambem

@detetivedohumor6765

Tambem tinha no fifa

@miguelgatao4799

Detetive Do Humor acho q tem n em

@masterbull8327

New York Treta nostalgia total

@guilhermemoreira3148

Siiim ♥

62 More Replies...

@PeterHollens

My absolute favorite band right now.  My dear friend Lindsey Stirling told me about them, and I've been hooked ever since.  Already did two covers of their songs, and I would do an entire album if my audience would love it enough.  Can't wait until they come out with a new album.  If you haven't bought this album GO GET IT.  LOOOOVE THIS!!  Thanks for the inspiration guys!!!!

@McChickenMonkey

I LOVE your ID covers Peter! I hope you so some more. And I also found about Imagine Dragons from Lindsey!

@SpiderohGaming

DO IT!

@gabrieleseilo

I love Linsey stirling :D

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