First formed in 1981 perhaps you’re familiar with 少年ナイフ, aka Shonen Knife (literally “Boy Knife”), an all-female trio from Osaka, Japan, which describes itself as the “oo-oo-ultra-eccentric-super-cult-punk-pop-band-shonen-knife!”
With influences that include the Beach Boys, the Ramones and all those girl groups from the ‘60s, Shonen Knife has long had a worldwide cult following including Curt Colbain, who was one of their most ardent fans. After attending one of their concerts he asked them to open for his group, Nirvana. It was only later that lead singer, Naoko Yamano admitted that they had no idea what Nirvana was.
“So I went to a record store, and I bought their CD,” she said. “And when I saw their photograph, I thought they might be scary persons, because their hairstyles and their clothes were very grunge. But once the tour had started, I noticed that all the members were nice, good persons.”
Long a favorite in our family when we’re in the mood to dance, today’s selection is the 少年ナイフ rendition of a number that was written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis and featured on the Carpenter’s 1972 album, A Song for You. First released as a single by Lynn Anderson the following year (reaching Number 2 on the U.S. Country Singles charts) the Carpenters quickly released their own version as a single, which topped the U.S. pop singles charts for two weeks in 1973.
Along with other unconventional covers of Carpenter songs by such artists as Sonic Youth, the Cranberries, Sheryl Crow, Dishwalla and Cracker, today’s selection was the second track on the winningly peculiar 1994 tribute album If I Were a Carpenter.
LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Monday 9 April
On Top of the World
Such a feeling coming over me
There is wonder in the things 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 coming 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 looking 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 put me on the top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Something in the wind has learned my name
Telling me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There’s a pleasant sense of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope I’ll find
Tomorrow will be the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
I’m on the top of the world looking 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 put me on the top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Top of the world
Such a feeling coming over me now
Top of the world
Everything I want the world to be now
Top of the world
On top, on top, on top of the world
I’m on the top now, I’m on the top now
Top of the world
I’m on top, top, top
Top of the world
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