"Top of the World" is a contemporary folk-country song written by Patty Griffin and most known as recorded and performed in Grammy Award-winning fashion by the Dixie Chicks.
[4][6] The strings then pick up in intensity during the instrumental coda, as Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines moans wordlessly and then repeats "To the top of the world" as a mantra over and over.
I don't know what I just said...Author Chris Willman wrote that this was "a song that could send a chill down even a seasoned spine after repeat listens.
Indeed, "Top of the World" was one of the emotional centerpieces of the shows on the tour, and the live recording of the song would go on to win the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
[12] The song remained one of the highlights of the group's 2006 Accidents & Accusations Tour, with violinist Martie Maguire moving from the front of the stage to join the band's violin and cello player for a dramatic, elongated string part during the coda.
"Top of the World" has been performed by others as well, notably Jessica Harp of The Wreckers,[16] Kelly Clarkson, and Australian singers Jasmine Rae and Kasey Chambers.