1973 Songs: Top of the World

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Sis-in-law is doing well. Thanks again, y’all. The next three days will show you just how diverse the year 1973 was musically. After that, it’s top ten time, and yet more diversity. Let’s have another song that’s now half a century old. Top of the World - Carpenters Welcome to “which came first.” This is one of those weird ones. Richard Carpenter co-wrote this, so obviously it’s a Carpenters song. However, Lynn Anderson covered it and her version was the first actual single release of the song. Then the Carpenters’ rendition, which doesn’t sound that far removed from the Lynn Anderson version, was released and became a top five hit. I can’t find the session information for Anderson’s album, but it’s possible that Buddy Emmons played steel on both versions! Of course, Lynn Anderson was a great singer, but this rendition has Karen Carpenter’s voice, and that’s all it needs. Dang, that woman could sing. I didn’t agree with all their cover selections (really, Richard, covering Klaatu’s “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft”??????), but they always had Karen’s voice to fall back on. What a voice. Top of the World Written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis Recorded by the Carpenters From A Song for You, 1973 A pleasing sense of happiness for me: