On Top Of The World – English Lyrics

• By: Imagine Dragons
• Album: Night Visions

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the exhilarating world of "On Top Of The World" by Imagine Dragons, a vibrant rock anthem that captures the sheer joy of achievement and overcoming challenges. This song's positive message and catchy melody make it a fantastic entry point for English language learners, offering accessible lyrics and a clear, motivating theme. You'll learn vocabulary related to success, perseverance, and emotional well-being, all while enjoying a widely recognized and uplifting tune. It’s special for its universal message of hope and its infectious energy, making language learning an inspiring journey.

[English]

If you love somebody

Better tell them while they're here 'cause

They just may run away from you

You'll never know what went well

Then again, it just depends on

How long of time is left for you

I've had the highest mountains

I've had the deepest rivers

You can have it all but life keeps moving

Now, take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey

I'm on top of the world, hey

Waiting on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, hey

Been holding it in for a while, hey

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world

I've tried to cut these corners

Try to take the easy way out

I kept on falling short of something

I could've gave up then, but

Then again, I couldn't have 'cause

I've travelled all this way for something

Now, take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey

I'm on top of the world, hey

Been waitin' on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, hey

Been holding it in for a while, hey

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world

Oh-woah, oh-oh, oh-oh

Oh-woah, oh-oh

'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey

I'm on top of the world, hey

Waitin' on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, hey

Been holding it in for a while, hey

Take you with me if I can

Been dreamin' of this since a child

And I know it's hard when you're falling down

And it's a long way up when you hit the ground

But get up, now, get up, get up, now

And I know it's hard when you're falling down

And it's a long way up when you hit the ground

But get up, now, get up, get up, now

'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey

I'm on top of the world, hey

Been waitin' on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, hey

Been holding it in for a while, hey

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel affection for someone
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
depend /dɪˈpend/ B1	verb - to rely on something
mountain /ˈmaʊntən/ B1	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface
river /ˈrɪvər/ B1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea
moving /ˈmuːvɪŋ/ B1	adjective - in motion
waiting /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ B1	verb - to remain in place in expectation
paying /ˈpeɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - to give money in exchange for goods or services
dreaming /ˈdriːmɪŋ/ B1	verb - to experience images, emotions, and sensations during sleep
falling /ˈfɔːlɪŋ/ B2	verb - to descend freely by the force of gravity
something /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ B2	noun - an unspecified or unknown thing
travelled /ˈtrævəld/ B2	verb - to make a journey
corner /ˈkɔːrnər/ B2	noun - an angle formed by two intersecting lines or surfaces
child /tʃaɪld/ B2	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty or full physical development
ground /ɡraʊnd/ B2	noun - the surface of the earth

Key Grammar Structures

• If you love somebody, better tell them while they're here 'cause they just may run away from you.

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1) + Modal Verb (better) + Relative Clause

  ➔ The sentence uses a first conditional structure to express a likely outcome. “If you love somebody” sets the condition, and “better tell them” is a strong recommendation. “'cause” is a colloquial contraction of 'because'. The relative clause 'while they're here' modifies the time frame.

• You can have it all but life keeps moving.

  ➔ Modal Verb (can) + Conjunction (but) + Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ “You can have it all” expresses possibility or ability. The “but” introduces a contrasting idea – that despite having everything, life continues. “Keeps moving” is in the present continuous, emphasizing the ongoing nature of life.

• I've had the highest mountains, I've had the deepest rivers.

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The present perfect (“I’ve had”) indicates experiences completed at an unspecified time in the past, with relevance to the present. It emphasizes the *experience* of having climbed mountains and navigated rivers, rather than when it happened.

• Now, take it in but don't look down.

  ➔ Imperative Mood + Coordinating Conjunction (but) + Negative Imperative

  ➔ This line uses direct commands. “Take it in” encourages absorption of the moment, while “don’t look down” is a metaphorical warning against fear or doubt. The 'but' creates a contrast between enjoying the present and avoiding negativity.