(Richard Carpenter/John Bettis) Almo Music Corp./Hammer and Nails Music, Inc. ASCAP 2:36
A&M 1468 Single released: 9/19/73
Billboard #1, 10/6/73
b/w Heather
Original album mix:
A SONG FOR YOU original LP. This is the original album mix when the song was considered just an album track. It’s a simpler mix with a different-sounding pedal-steel guitar. It appears on the original vinyl albums and these CDs:
– A SONG FOR YOU (Remastered Classic) (& box set versions)
– CARPENTERS COLLECTED
– ESSENTIAL COLLECTION
– FROM THE TOP
– JAPANESE SINGLE BOX
– THE NATION’S FAVOURITE CARPENTERS SONGS (UK)
– ULTIMATE COLLECTION (NL)
Original single mix: Known as the 1973 version, this version is what Richard came up with when they finally released the song as a single after it had chart success in Japan and elsewhere. It’s a fairly common mix found on many compilations, and was used on A&M’s first CD release of A SONG FOR YOU (CD 3511) instead of the album mix. It also appears on these CDs:
– A SONG FOR YOU original A&M CD
– A SONG FOR YOU (MFSL disc) and the COMPACT DISC COLLECTION version
– 20/20 BEST OF BEST SELECTION
– 40/40 BEST SELECTION (JP)
– 40/40 (US)
– A&M COMPOSERS SERIES VOL 2 (RICHARD CARPENTER-JOHN BETTIS)
– A&M NEW GOLD SERIES VOL 1 (1990)
– A&M GOLD SERIES (1991) and STARTRAX (AUS)
– ANTHOLOGY (89)
– THE CARPENTERS COLLECTION (THEIR GREATEST HITS)
– CARPENTERS-THE COMPLETE SINGLES
– GOLD (UK)
– GOLD (JP)
– ICON
– JAPANESE SINGLE BOX
– ONLY YESTERDAY-THEIR GREATEST HITS
– REMINISCING
– THE SINGLES 1969-1973 (all versions)
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (UK)
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (NL)
The single version also appears on both CLASSICS VOL 2, the YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (84) and the YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (85) compilation, with a slight segue to the next track, “Because We Are In Love”.
On this stereo single mix, the final two pedal-steel guitar notes can be heard on the right channel. This is also the version used on the video program known as YESTERDAY ONCE MORE, ONLY YESTERDAY, and GOLD, though on GOLD the stereo is reversed.
A variation of this single mix can be found on the mono promo single mix where two different-sounding pedal-steel guitar notes appear at the end, so one could argue that it’s yet another mix. But it’s unique to the 45 mono single found on promo copies.
Quad remix:
– A SONG FOR YOU Quad 8-track
– THE SINGLES 1969-1973 Quad LP and 8-track
Single version – 1991 remix: Remixed in 1991, “Top Of The World” now featured a heavier bass and drum, and the final two pedal-steel guitar notes were mixed to the center (both channels). This mix is modeled on the single mix, and can be found on:
– CARPENTERS COLLECTION (Time-Life)
– SWEET MEMORY all at once
– ANTHOLOGY (97)
– BEST OF BEST+
– THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (Readers Digest)
– TOP OF THE WORLD (original & karaoke masters)
– TWENTY-TWO HITS OF THE CARPENTERS
– LOVE SONGS
– MAGICAL MEMORIES OF THE CARPENTERS
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (98)
– BY REQUEST
– THE SINGLES 1969-1981
– 20th CENTURY MASTERS MILLENNIUM COLLECTION
– CARPENTERS PERFORM CARPENTER
– GOLD (US)
Karaoke version: found on
– ORIGINAL MASTER KARAOKE-YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (Japan)
– TOP OF THE WORLD (original & karaoke masters)
This emanates from the 1991 remix version’s backing tracks.
SACD stereo and 5.1 surround remix: Remixed again in 2004 for the SACD release of SINGLES 1969-1981, “Top Of The World” got two new mixes for that album, one in 5.1 surround sound and one used on both the SACD stereo and CA-Audio layers. The stereo version sounds again different from the other versions, with a wider stereo sound stage overall. This stereo mix also appeared on the ULTIMATE COLLECTION (UK) in 2006.
Instrumental version: totally different recording
– PIANIST, ARRANGER, COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR
2018 RPO Mix: enhanced version recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
– CARPENTERS WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Songbook recording:
– RICHARD CARPENTER’S PIANO SONGBOOK
Chris May says:
Regarding the SACD surround mix: The two major differences here are the kick drum, which has been EQ’ed like the original mixe(s), unlike the remix from 1991. Also, the slide guitar throughout is more distinct. Karen’s lead is very clear and present.
An original promotional ad for this single: