When I was travelling on the Osaka Metro, and heard that melody playing in the stations, I just kept expecting 'Top of the world' to start playing after! :D
This is so damn cute and happy you can't help but smile right along with them. No irony, no pretense, just three chords, a back beat, and Engrish lyrics delivered with sincere smiles--what is there not to like?
Shonen Knife's Top of the world version is outstanding! Karen Carpenter would absolutly love it and beeing proud of what this girls did with her track. The Album "If i were a carpenter" is a must have for music lovers. Karen would have been so proud... May she rest in peace!
Go dig up a vid of Karen playing drums - it'll just deepen your conviction, because her drumming style was flat out, fast, & hard. I can easily imagine her drumming on this version.
Last year i was on three concerts of shonen knife Here in Germany and i can say that was the best of Concert i ever hast Seen !Naoko atsuko and risa are so cool and There playing was fantastic ! Thank you and greetings from Germany !
This was one of the livelier cuts on the alt rock Carpenters tribute album, "If I Were a Carpenter." Glad they included a Japanese group on the album, since the Carpenters were more popular there than than they were in the U.S., at least in the years following Karen Carpenter's loss.
Saw them in 92' and then again in 2016. Three rocking ladies having as much fun in their 40s as they did back in the day. Always brings a smile to my face. Thank you Shonen Knife! Brown mushroom!
I saw Shonen Knife when they toured the U.S. They played in a local music place in Eugene, Oregon called the WOW Hall on April 4, 1997. It was awesome! :)
I was feeling kind of down, and my music library was just shuffling through the library, and all of a sudden Shonen Knife comes on! I've been totally ecstatic ever since :)
Beautiful. Everything about this is beautiful. I have their studio version of this on my ipod and I listen to it whenever I need to be cheered up. THANK YOU, Karen and Shonen Knife!
of all the covers from the album 'If I were a Carpenter' this one was always my favorite, I just love the way they rock it out but yet simply. I only just found out they're Japanese. Sorry didn't even know who Shonen Knife was but now I do. GREAT rendition. Makes me happy to hear it.
This is after Michie left the band? I got to hang out with them in 1996 when they came to Atlanta, had my picture made with Atsuko and Naoko. Michie spent a lot of time talking with me and a few Japanese friends before the show. I love everything they've ever done. After the show I told Naoko my favourite song was Parallel Woman and she told me it was the first song she ever wrote. I didn't know that! I really love them. True punks!
2019 i was on three concerts of the Girls Here in Germany and i must say IT was a dream ! Such powerful Girls one of the best concerts i have Seen ! Thank you shonen Knife ! Greetings from Germany ! About shonen Knife i came to the japanese Indie and Punk / Pop Musik and i must say that IS my think i found the blue Hearts the overburner in Punk Musik i must say hiroto the Coolness in Person ! But this Times are gone ! Greetings from Germany again !
Formation and early years. Shonen Knife was formed in December 1981 in Osaka, Japan, by Naoko Yamano on guitar and vocals; her college friend Michie Nakatani on bass, keyboards, and vocals; and Naoko's then 17-year-old sister Atsuko Yamano on drums.
oh yes, GC Smith and S. Barry. THATwas a great tribute album and yes this tune WAS the high light. I listened to it again and again. Northampton, MA '94/5. memories bring tears to a middle aged man. Rachel Anderson, hope you are having a good life.
Great musicians! I love their 'sound' and that wide-open stage set up is wonderful to look at! It's nice to see the bands not all huddled together on a crowded stage. (Especially when they are as pretty as these three little ladies.)
I worked the opening night at the Richard and Karen Carpenter theater at Long Beach State University shonen knife was there to do their cover of " top of the world" they were awesome!!
Rock, this jam have been lighting me up ever since they released in on the Birds and the B Sides CD! Are you sure you don't need a US tour roadie ladies??? They are one of the best things to come out of the 90s
I remember hearing about this group a few years ago, but I never listened to their music. I regret that decision. Shonen Knife is quite an incredible power trio!
Who are the 95? This is so joyful. Just look at how they are enjoying themselves. The world needs a lot more of this in 2017. 2016 has been pretty awful for a lot of people across the globe.
The 1990's was GOLDEN. This song was in a commercial for Internet Explorer 1.0 and when I saw it as a kid, I asked my parents what it was, and that is what got me in computers. Now, I know a lot about Computer Science and it is my job. Nostalgia hits me like a semi-truck...
As a big Carpenters fan, I must say that I am very impressed with this cover. Their kicked up a few notches version looks very good. I can't believe this band has been around since the early 80s and still going. II really like their song, "Tomato Head." Furthermore they are a million times more talented than stupid band from kill bill. I'm telling you if the olympics ever come back to Japan, they should definitely perform at either the opening or closing ceremony.
Top of the world Such a feelin's comin' over me There is wonder in most every thing I see Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes And I won't be surprised if it's a dream Everything I want the world to be Is now comin' true especially for me And the reason is clear, it's because you are here You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world Something in the wind has learned my name And it's tellin' me that things are not the same In the leaves on the trees, and the touch of the breeze There's a pleasing sense of happiness for me There is only one wish on my mind When this day is through I hope that I will find That tomorrow will be, just the same for you and me All I need will be mine if you are here I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world
This band is new to me..... but what a great and lively performance. Three ladies who really seem to enjoy themselves.....and therefore are sexy as hell!!
Oh yeah, absolutely. I like all of SK's drummers, and you gotta' give special props to Atsuko for being a founding member, but Etsuko by FAR in that regard. Really talented too!
Tell me about it! This song alone helps lift my mood when I am down. I broke up with someone recently and it was painful to do it, and this song really helps put me back where I need to be. Arigatou gozaimasu, Yamano-san!
![【70's】[歌詞付] トップ オブ ザ ワールド【Cover】Top of the World - Carpenters](/img/n.gif)
That intro riff is the melody that plays at train stations here in Osaka! So cute!
awesome. never knew that.
❤️
god i never realized until you pointed it out!! omg
I thought that was what I heard the one time I was in Osaka. I also know they wrote a song called "My Favorite Town Osaka."
When I was travelling on the Osaka Metro, and heard that melody playing in the stations, I just kept expecting 'Top of the world' to start playing after! :D
I hope Shonen Knife is still going strong in 2024. Excellent treatment of the Carpenters classic. Karen Carpenter is smiling down from heaven.
This is so damn cute and happy you can't help but smile right along with them. No irony, no pretense, just three chords, a back beat, and Engrish lyrics delivered with sincere smiles--what is there not to like?
It is impossible not to love Shonen Knife.
It is also against the law.
with a life time sentence
Nawwww, it's possible
Totally agree mate!
Haha
Shonen Knife's Top of the world version is outstanding! Karen Carpenter would absolutly love it and beeing proud of what this girls did with her track. The Album "If i were a carpenter" is a must have for music lovers. Karen would have been so proud... May she rest in peace!
Go dig up a vid of Karen playing drums - it'll just deepen your conviction, because her drumming style was flat out, fast, & hard. I can easily imagine her drumming on this version.
*Its year 2020 and still listening to this cool music and i really miss the golden age of 90's. I miss you shonen knife greetings from philippines*
Daydream believer! Pembo Ganiola Family Yeah!
Last year i was on three concerts of shonen knife Here in Germany and i can say that was the best of Concert i ever hast Seen !Naoko atsuko and risa are so cool and There playing was fantastic ! Thank you and greetings from Germany !
This was one of the livelier cuts on the alt rock Carpenters tribute album, "If I Were a Carpenter." Glad they included a Japanese group on the album, since the Carpenters were more popular there than than they were in the U.S., at least in the years following Karen Carpenter's loss.
G. C. Smith Yes. exceptional album. exceptional cover. I love her accent on "top of the world."
Saw them in 92' and then again in 2016. Three rocking ladies having as much fun in their 40s as they did back in the day. Always brings a smile to my face. Thank you Shonen Knife! Brown mushroom!
I saw Shonen Knife when they toured the U.S. They played in a local music place in Eugene, Oregon called the WOW Hall on April 4, 1997. It was awesome! :)
her accent makes it 100% more awesome
This makes me feel like there is still positive energy in the world.
Joy and bliss. They're having such a great time, it's contagious. So much fun, and performed without irony.
This band is awesome. Just discovered today. Sounding like the Ramones
Osaka Ramones!🤘
they are a ramones tribute band and very popular in england, too.
This is by far the greatest Carpenters cover ever done! and you can even sing along with this version! Rock on and stay cute!!
I admit it.....I have a HUGE crush on the drummer.
You finally admitted it!
Can't blame you!
She's married...that is why she left the band. I think she still lives in LA.
NOOOO!! My heart is broken. :( lol
You'll also have a huge crush on the newest drummer, Risa. The brightest smile I've seen on any drummer.
This song makes me unreasonably happy!
So much joy in the sound, the passion in each performer's expression and movement...this is absolutely wonderful. Just wonderful.
Im dead inside and I still Love this song... my mom used to sing it to me when I was little
This always brings a song in my heart, a spring in my step and a smile on my face.
想像してたビジュアルと違うけど
Top of the worldのカバーの中で1番好き
I was feeling kind of down, and my music library was just shuffling through the library, and all of a sudden Shonen Knife comes on! I've been totally ecstatic ever since :)
I love the way Naoko takes a cover version and just rocks the shit out of it. She is my never failing remedy when ever i feel down.
Beautiful. Everything about this is beautiful. I have their studio version of this on my ipod and I listen to it whenever I need to be cheered up. THANK YOU, Karen and Shonen Knife!
of all the covers from the album 'If I were a Carpenter' this one was always my favorite, I just love the way they rock it out but yet simply. I only just found out they're Japanese. Sorry didn't even know who Shonen Knife was but now I do. GREAT rendition. Makes me happy to hear it.
Wasn't obvious they were Japanese the first time you heard it?
Rock on! The Linda Lindas are the next generation of punk!
This is after Michie left the band? I got to hang out with them in 1996 when they came to Atlanta, had my picture made with Atsuko and Naoko. Michie spent a lot of time talking with me and a few Japanese friends before the show. I love everything they've ever done. After the show I told Naoko my favourite song was Parallel Woman and she told me it was the first song she ever wrote. I didn't know that! I really love them. True punks!
Nice video
Super
@Antonio Gramsci you are so lucky to have met the band in the flesh - I have such a crush on Michie - is she as sweet face-to-face?
I can't believe you went to see them without me and no, the fact we don't know each other AT ALL is no excuse. 😁👌💯👍
Impossible to listen to any of their songs without smiling. Called a cross between the Supremes and the Ramones.
I have my nephew John to thank for introducing me to this band; it was a life changer. ^_^
good for you!! I love Shonen Knife Since 1994
Jesus, this is about as close to perfect as music gets. Sublime.
当時の懐かしい気持ちに満ちてます。
というのも、高校生だったのか中学生の頃だったのか定かでは無いのですが、
イケて無い自分が天才たけしの元気が出るテレビを毎週観ていて
元気を貰っていた頃が懐かしいです。
最近、マツコさんのとある番組を毎週録画していてソレを見返していて、
この曲が取り出されてて、当時の思い出がよみがえって来ました（少年ナイフさんって海外でも活躍されてるのも知りました）♩
Love Shonen Knife , so happy I discovered them 😊
Superb Jam session of a classic song. This rocks!!!
Your love put me,
On the top of the WORD..
Shonen Knife
Love this song. It always cheers me up no matter how down I am..
I miss the 90's..
This is what you get if the Ramones were reborn as a trio of Japanese women with a bit of b-52's fun to boot.
2019 i was on three concerts of the Girls Here in Germany and i must say IT was a dream ! Such powerful Girls one of the best concerts i have Seen ! Thank you shonen Knife ! Greetings from Germany ! About shonen Knife i came to the japanese Indie and Punk / Pop Musik and i must say that IS my think i found the blue Hearts the overburner in Punk Musik i must say hiroto the Coolness in Person ! But this Times are gone ! Greetings from Germany again !
I've never seen anything so beautiful in all my life. They're so happy! That's how to rock n' roll.
Shonen Knife u rock !! Awesome !
***** Ouressssssssssssss
this is the first Shonen Knife song I've heard back in 1994. great cover. I also like their song ESP
I just saw them in San Diego!! Great time, very good concert!!
I love well done covers. rarely are they better that the original. This cover is a lot better in my opinion! Plus their energy makes me smile!
I normally dislike covers, but being a fan of Shonen Knife for longer than I can compute, I really like their version.
Formation and early years. Shonen Knife was formed in December 1981 in Osaka, Japan, by Naoko Yamano on guitar and vocals; her college friend Michie Nakatani on bass, keyboards, and vocals; and Naoko's then 17-year-old sister Atsuko Yamano on drums.
I'm in love with the drummer.
oh yes, GC Smith and S. Barry. THATwas a great tribute album and yes this tune WAS the high light. I listened to it again and again. Northampton, MA '94/5. memories bring tears to a middle aged man. Rachel Anderson, hope you are having a good life.
I was on the scene, it was 2009, Shonen Knife live in Beijing.
Great musicians! I love their 'sound' and that wide-open stage set up is wonderful to look at!
It's nice to see the bands not all huddled together on a crowded stage. (Especially when they are as pretty as these three little ladies.)
えっちゃんのドラミング忘れないよ！なおこさん最高！ I never forget Etsuko's doruming !
I worked the opening night at the Richard and Karen Carpenter theater at Long Beach State University shonen knife was there to do their cover of " top of the world" they were awesome!!
a great japanese band....love this cover ..so Ramones
They're great! They play with such energy and their 'open' or uncluttered stage set up really helps showcase the pretty little ladies.
I saw them at the Big Day Out Festival in Sydney in 1997. So good, and this is by far THE BEST cover version of any song ever.
Happy 40 years Shonen Knife.
Nirvanas favourite band.
Rock, this jam have been lighting me up ever since they released in on the Birds and the B Sides CD! Are you sure you don't need a US tour roadie ladies??? They are one of the best things to come out of the 90s
I remember hearing about this group a few years ago, but I never listened to their music. I regret that decision. Shonen Knife is quite an incredible power trio!
found it... my mom has been looking for this version..... yes and she's a new age girl 👍
Now that's how it's done. Amazing stage set. Punk w/class. Best bubblegum cover ever.
'They are a great band and playing awsome, heartwarming music, and i especially fell for the lovely drummer ...
One of the greatest cover versions ever.
Your song has put me on top of the world...
久しぶりに見たけど、この時のメンバーが個人的に１番好き
…..”at the top of the world”! 😁 That’s pure Shonen Knife, that is!
1981年結成！30年間やり続けているバンド！！アメリカを拠点に世界ツアーをし、リーダーのVO,G,の山野直子は1960年12月18日生まれなので今年51歳です！！私の尊敬する一人であります！！！
My parents showed me this video back in 2010 and I instantly recognized it today.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!! im looking for this song for long time. . .i remember my Band with this song . . . number1 !!!
Whenever I watch this video, I have to replay it. I just like it that much!
the cover of all covers
Who are the 95? This is so joyful. Just look at how they are enjoying themselves. The world needs a lot more of this in 2017. 2016 has been pretty awful for a lot of people across the globe.
fabricadojoe those 95 are the people who aren't on top of the world (x
2017 was way worse than 2016...let's hope 2018 is better.
fabricadojoe the 95 (currently 118) are guys who hit on Etsuko or Ritsuko and got shot down
Hahaha They are both married mothers now, so, they are probably safe!
Love this cover! It appeared in the 1990s version of the parent trap! also fun fact: Atsuko makes all the costumes for the band :D
No matter what....you have to love Shonen knife
The 1990's was GOLDEN. This song was in a commercial for Internet Explorer 1.0 and when I saw it as a kid, I asked my parents what it was, and that is what got me in computers. Now, I know a lot about Computer Science and it is my job. Nostalgia hits me like a semi-truck...
SHONEN KNIFE RULES. I think Karen would have liked this. R.I.P. Karen; you saved my life.
This never fails to bring a smile to my face. They're great! Thanks so much for posting. :)
you can not go wrong ever with shonen knife,whatever the decade or line up Naoko leads them to victory every time.
As a big Carpenters fan, I must say that I am very impressed with this cover. Their kicked up a few notches version looks very good. I can't believe this band has been around since the early 80s and still going. II really like their song, "Tomato Head." Furthermore they are a million times more talented than stupid band from kill bill. I'm telling you if the olympics ever come back to Japan, they should definitely perform at either the opening or closing ceremony.
they WERE in kill bill :)
This song is played during the credits of a movie called THE LAST SUPPER. Cool song. Awesome, artistic movie.
im in love with the bass player.
Ritsuko has left the band on a very extended hiatus, in order to care for her child.
How can you not love this song and this performance
I remember the lineup from the 90's, Fantastic.
Thanks Gilmore girls!! This is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard
I can picture Karen and Richard just dancing their asses off to this. You know she would have approved.
finally i found it after these years >.< , i heard in FF tokyo drift when sean on a date with neela this song play in background.
Heard this in Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift it's freaking awesome ...
Top of the world
Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in most every thing I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
Is now comin' true especially for me
And the reason is clear, it's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Something in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees, and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasing sense of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be, just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Fantastic! Saw them twice recently in London...
This band is new to me..... but what a great and lively performance.
Three ladies who really seem to enjoy themselves.....and therefore are sexy as hell!!
Dig in to Shonen Knife!! Lots of great music to be heard,, especially their late 80s-early 90s stuff
Love this Band ...
The more I hear these Osakans, the more I like them.
This still rocks
It's awesome that shonen knife covered this cuz it's one of my favorite carpenters songs
Theres a lot of top of the world cover,for me this cover is the best
Oh yeah, absolutely. I like all of SK's drummers, and you gotta' give special props to Atsuko for being a founding member, but Etsuko by FAR in that regard. Really talented too!
Richard Carpenter is on record as saying that Caren Carpenter would have adored this version...
ワイルドスピードのサントラでこの歌聞いて惚れた
I've loved this for ten years. It reminds me of my girlfriend.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful
This is the only version of this song that I now remember. I really love this song
Kurt Cobain's favorite band.
CeruleanFilms Depends who you ask. Plenty of other contenders - Television, the Beatles, the Vaselines, Mudhoney...
Krist liked them too
Kurt booked them as an opening act for Nirvana; he said they made him cry.
You just blew my mind into a thousand pieces.
f**in great band - caught them live in the mid 90's! Whatta fun show!
Tell me about it! This song alone helps lift my mood when I am down. I broke up with someone recently and it was painful to do it, and this song really helps put me back where I need to be. Arigatou gozaimasu, Yamano-san!