Patty Griffin - Top Of The World

Lyrics: [ Top Of The World ]
I wished I was smarter
I wished I was stronger
I wished I loved Jesus the way the my wife does
I wished it had been easier
Instead of any longer
I wished I could have stood where you would have been proud
But that won't happen now, that won't happen now
There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard
Disappearing every day without so much as a word somehow
I think I broke the wings off that little songbird
She's never gonna fly to the top of the world now
To the top of the world
I don't have to answer any of these questions
Don't have no god to teach me no lessons
I'd come home in the evening
Sit in my chair
One night they called me for supper
But I never got up
I stayed right there
In my chair
There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard
Disappearing every day without so much as a word somehow
I think I broke the wings off that little songbird
She's never gonna fly to the top of the world now
To the top of the world
I wish I'd have known you
I wish I'd have shown you
All of the things I was on the inside
But I'd pretend to be sleeping
When you'd come in in the morning
To whisper goodbye and
Go to work in the rain
Now I don't know why
I don't know why
Cause everyone's singing, we just wanna be heard
Disappearing every day without so much as a word somehow
I wanna grab a hold of that little songbird
Take her for a ride to the top of the world right now
To the top of the world
To the top of the world.....

[@DemonessofRedSnow]

I heard this song for the first time when I was driving to the funeral of my estranged alcoholic mother. It was the first time I was actually able to break down and FEEL what I needed towards my mom.

[@tonyabonds3207]

The Voice brought me here. I can’t believe I’ve never heard this song. It’s so so beautiful. I’m so glad that I found this treasure.

[@nicolasmolina5722]

Same ♥

[@charmedprince]

There's a Dixie Chicks version. I heard that one first before discovering it's Patty's song. And I already love another Patty song, Rain.

[@lindascanlan6317]

Isn't she the best! Omg I adore her ...every note....bliss.

[@SilentBob731]

Patty is a Goddess, absolutely one of the most beautiful and tragic songs ever written.

[@tjwash5118]

I saw her perform this at Austin City Limits, a songwriter’s circle featuring her, Emmylou Harris, Buddy and Julie Miller and Dave Matthews. This song was the pinnacle of the evening, she had us in the palm of her hand from the first note. Brilliant song, gifted performer.

[@jflem8332]

Patty was created with such a special heart. She is one of the most septacular singer / songwriters to ever grace this world. ❤️💛💚💙💜

[@acoustictherapy]

The purest voice on the planet, live or in studio. Period.

[@MarkBtvd]

A beautiful song, beautifully performed.

[@colerainfan1143]

Hypnotic, haunting. She moves me, makes me think, makes me feel. Thanks, Patty.

[@rodewhite100]

You have such a positive impact on my life. Your music is important!!!

[@dennyt25]

This is one of the saddest songs of regret. Don't take for granted the people that are close to you.

[@magiccitymama1620]

Her song "Long Ride Home" is another song of regret. It's about a man returning to his empty home after burying his wife of 40 years. I cry every time I hear it, thinking about how it feels to pull into the driveway and seeing your dark, empty house.

[@dennyt25]

@@magiccitymama1620 Why do we listen to songs that make us shed a tear? I don't know. But I listen to them. I do know I love Patty Griffin's story telling and the way she delivers her songs with her lovely melancholy voice. I don't know anyone as good as Patty at telling a life story in a song or giving a lesson in life. That's one reason why I listen to them, time and again, more than any other artist....and shed a tear along the way. I've noticed it more for me as I have got older. At least it shows we can empathise I suppose.

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

You hit the nail on the head. This is absolutely what this song is about Regret

[@housecharmer]

I have a lump in my throat when she sings ALWAYS

[@katieaustin9332]

I ration out this song so I never wear it out. I can't afford therapy so I every now and then I just play this and have a good sob.

[@ricardocoronado5814]

Katie Austin same! Usually on a good long drive

[@beccawhosangs]

I have aspirations to be half the writer Patty is! She just has a knack for stirring that place in your soul few artists have the capability of reaching these days. LOVE HER

[@TCgirl]

I had always loved this song only having heard it from the Dixie Chicks. Started to wonder about its meaning, began to look at Wikipedia about it and low and behold I find this. How is this woman not famous? She wrote an amazing song and has an amazing voice.... I don't understand how it works. All I can figure is its about those who have connections and those who don't and those who capitulate and those who don't?

[@m5177]

there many great artist out there that dont get a look in because they fit the percieved image required, the dixie chicks have covered a few of patty' songs as have others with greater success but patty's versions are always far bettern i stopped listening to mainstream radio years ago

[@MorrisLess]

She's written a lot of amazing songs: When It Don't Come Easy; Let Him Fly; Up to the Mountain; Sweet Loraine; Heavenly Day; Rain... There are many more. I only recently discovered her too, but I've enjoyed every minute listening to her since.

[@cowwboyy]

She IS famous!! Love Patty!!

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

She doesn't want to be famous

[@GNoble-sl8tt]

I’ve seen and heard her perform, and she’s phenomenal. Her voice and musicianship are top notch! Robert Plant pulled her off her tour, and recruited her for his Band of Joy!

[@DodgyBagehot]

Thank you patty.

[@waybeyondthepale]

If you haven't seen Patty Griffin perform live, oh man, please do! The most amazing live performance. I go every time she's in Nashville.

[@tjwash5118]

Her speaking voice is practically a whisper at times so when she belts a note it’s breathtaking. I saw her at Austin City Limits circa 2000

[@MsMaureena]

This is what an angel sounds like when it sings :)

[@scotterdman8534]

Every time I get to "I don't know why" I burst into tears. I can't be alone here. Most expressive vocalist alive.

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

You are not alone

[@leetann9374]

This is much better "without a Plant"!!! Real stuff!

[@marywelling2580]

It is our honor and a privilege, to listen to an Angel's voice, and watch the fine musicians, become one with their instruments, an extension of their beings. BRAVO!

[@shakantala]

Such a beautiful, sad song. I have never heard it before.

[@huckwedoy]

Thanks goes to PBS for helping introduce truly great artists, like Patty, to the world. As you listen and watch this woman as she performs, it's easy to see that her artistry in singing and songwriting is quite simply at the "Top of the World"

[@Rinzi83]

This song just sucks you in. Such a powerful, but beautiful, and well written, song. I love it. One of my favourites :)

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard

[@marytaylor2381]

cried my heart out thank you for this ministry of song it touched me deeply

[@margaretskoy8334]

Poetry to the upmost beauty.

[@manelle313]

this soulful song- words and music reaches such a wonderful crescendo.. Brilliant, Patti..

[@paulamcmath]

A song that contains lifetimes. Unbelievable.

[@RustyCat666]

Makes me think of my son and daughter, make me wish I'd been a better parent...

[@jayelle3448]

Favorite performance of her song! Words really do fail when trying to describe the beauty of it. The album version was marvelous, but this one with Daniel Lanois' solo at the end… Oh my!

[@jinx7579]

Woah. Beautiful and brilliant live performance!

[@gypsy43]

She is from Maine! What talent! She is amazing!

[@jnnvalentine]

Wow Let Him Fly!!! What an incredible song!!! Beautiful words and voice!! Hate that I'm just hearing you now!! Where the hell have I been??

[@unknownuser3000]

This is one of the best things I've ever seen.

[@nealbaker7991]

But only HER singing could come close to doing it justice.

[@MrDcseltzer]

@gcbfolk I discovered Patty the same way....through the Dixie Chicks........and glad I did. What a great way to put it......"Found the source of the river"......my thoughts exactly. The more I explore her tunes, the more I am pulled in. This version is wonderful

[@sibeandela8562]

guess im not the only person found Patty by music from the Dixie Chicks

[@shyamamcwhirter1589]

@gcbfolk I discovered her through the DC's as well, I believe it was because of Let Him Fly. That song just blew my mind was stood out from the rest of their songs and thank you Patty!

[@rmcfee]

That's powerful. Wow.

[@johnpepe180]

Patty Griffin is at the top of the world......

[@JackieDeeMusic]

Patty is my biggest inspiration when it comes to songwriting.... my greatest wish would be to record a song with her someday.... I actually emailed her this week to ask her that! you what they say.... if you don't ask, you'll never know....... JDx

[@gcbfolk]

´That's true, i discovered Patty through the Dixie Chicks back in 2004. Felt like i had found the source of the river...

[@TCgirl]

Me too, because of the Dixie chicks. How is this woman not more famous? I wonder if she wrote it about her dad.

[@lindascanlan6317]

I adore you.

[@calmdown3132]

Here after watching The Voice!!!

[@JimmyB55]

Same

[@tonyabonds3207]

Calm Down same here. What a gorgeous song. I can’t believe I’ve never heard it.

[@12vLife]

Heavenly.

[@MrKevinmcgarry]

roll on tomorrow night in sheffield!.....pure class

[@beckjuly100]

She just wrecks me. In a good way.

[@eld1768]

Patty is one of those few artists whose live performance far out does their albums. If you have an opportunity to see Patty live, do.

[@finnmacwoof2138]

She is brillIant in concert AND her recorded music is divine

[@CCHPC]

i love her...

[@johnnty3]

i love patty griffin no really i love patty griffin

[@bluper28]

LOVE HER.

[@AnastasiaFafo]

Angelic

[@butterflymoonful]

💜🙏🦋

[@GabrieldosAnjos10000]

I imagine this song with Patty Griffin and Natalie Maines.

[@gailwilliams2678]

Griffin writes so perceptively and sadly about marriages where co-existence seems to be all that kept the marriage together. I would love to hear her speak to that theme. I am thrice-divorced, because I couldn’t stay.

[@DrEaMiNRebelStar]

I have never heard anyone sing this song like jasmine rae. She does this song proud for patty!

[@simplegrl]

love her

[@syboulevideo]

comment c'est terriblement génial.

[@joeburton77]

well said!

[@Loopzaz]

wow...

[@syboulevideo]

comment c'est terriblement génial

[@rats2themoon]

My dad just died last month of kidney failure. He could never do anything right according to my mom. “... wished it had been easier, instead of any longer...i wished i could have stood where you would have been proud” seems like something he would say. When i first read the lyrics, it said to me he went to his chair and died there...and they called him for supper...and he just stayed right there in his chair...gone. Instead of supper for my dad...it was breakfast. That line broke me. He was gone.

[@encepurdy68]

you can tell that this is patty's song

[@missdailybailey]

i learned about Patty Griffin from Donald Miller's book, "Blue Like Jazz"

[@rosebud8028]

@RustyCat666 Remember Rusty, it is never to late to make it a loving and caring day xxx

[@gcbfolk]

So well put, thanks very much for the comment!

[@RyanRobertJ]

This is regret set to music.

[@joshuwajimer]

she does a marvelous job and wrote the song really really well, i i find this version beautiful but the dixie chicks cover, is so moving it brings tears to my eyes, the way they arragned it and the instrumental backing is jsut so beautiful patty must have had faith that they could pull it off and she was right

[@magiccitymama1620]

There's a different version of this song on her album Silver Bells. It has a song within a song. Does anyone know what that song is?

[@newbieisback]

So... in what year did Patty release this song for the first time? which album?

[@singyourheartouthealing8902]

I saw this tour. Where is this?

[@jayelle3448]

You may already have this answered by now, but just in case - this was recorded February 6, 2007 at the Angel Orensanz Center, New York, NY.

[@jeanniecampbell1374]

I wish I could sing ...I will ust have to write ....

[@patricialyon7090]

Take some lessons....you might be pleasantly surprised!

[@Gideon_Clarke]

I don't know why, don't know why.

[@blahhhh581]

Deep deep shit! And so much better than the Dixie chicks! How the balls have I not heard of this masterful woman?!

[@terrih4947]

I agree

[@blahhhh581]

Heidi NYC Hey girlfriend :) is this woman not SOOOOO much better than anything on the radio today? All these empty artists with nothing to say?

[@metorphoric]

Is this skipping?

[@MerrittJeff1970]

"I wished I loved Jesus" one of my fav lines. Song doesn't do much for me but that line stands

[@YamiKurasGirl]

Her voice is really beautyfull but I like the DC Version better.

[@metorphoric]

I can't enjoy this because it's skipping . . .