Top of the World

The Zoo Crew is spinning “Top of the World” by Van Halen from their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, one of six singles from the album, hit the top of the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for four non-consecutive weeks, making it Van Halen’s eighth number one on that chart. What’s cool about this song is its connection to an earlier Van Halen classic—the main guitar riff was lifted from the outro of their 1984 hit “Jump.” Fans might notice this riff popping up in live bootlegs from the David Lee Roth era, like during their 1983 US Festival performance of “Dance the Night Away.” On the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour, the band often played “Top of the World” right after “Jump,” a pairing that carried over to their live album Live: Right Here, Right Now and the Best of Both Worlds compilation.

Another fun tidbit comes from the song’s live performance history. In 1991, Van Halen made good on a promise to Dallas fans after a rough show in 1988 where Sammy Hagar’s voice was shot. Hagar vowed to return for a free concert, and on December 4, 1991, they delivered an electrifying set at Dallas’ West End Marketplace. Newly released footage from this show, included in the 2024 Expanded Edition of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, captures the band at their peak, with fans climbing traffic signs to get a better view. Hagar even referenced keeping that promise during the show, saying, “It’s great to keep a promise,” despite Eddie Van Halen’s apparent shock at the idea of a free gig. This performance, now available on Blu-ray, shows off the band’s raw energy and includes “Top of the World” as a highlight.

Van Halen got their start in Pasadena, California, in 1973, founded by Dutch-born brothers Eddie Van Halen (guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums). The siblings, born in Amsterdam to a Dutch musician father and an Indonesian-born mother, moved to California in 1962. They began playing music as kids, with Eddie initially on drums and Alex on guitar before they swapped roles. Joined by bassist Michael Anthony and charismatic frontman David Lee Roth, the band cycled through names like Genesis and Mammoth before settling on Van Halen in 1974. Early on, they built a following playing backyard parties and high school gigs, with Roth’s showmanship complementing Eddie’s guitar wizardry. Roth joined after the band rented his sound system, partly to save money, and his larger-than-life persona helped shape their wild, hard-rocking identity. By 1977, they signed with Warner Bros. Records, and their 1978 debut album, Van Halen, exploded onto the scene, hitting number 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually earning Diamond certification for over 10 million copies sold.

The band’s rise wasn’t without drama. After Roth’s departure in 1985, Van Halen brought in Sammy Hagar, formerly of Montrose, kicking off the “Van Hagar” era that produced For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Their early years were marked by Eddie’s innovative guitar techniques, like two-handed tapping, which influenced countless players. Van Halen’s relentless touring and high-energy live shows cemented their reputation, and by the time “Top of the World” dropped, they were one of the biggest rock bands in the world, with over 56 million albums sold in the U.S. alone.

Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper can check out Van Halen’s official channels. The band’s official website is www.vanhalen.com, where you’ll find discography details and news. Their Facebook page keeps fans updated, while their Instagram shares throwback photos and videos. On X, they post about reissues and more. For fan communities, the Van Halen News Desk (VHND) is a go-to fan site with detailed articles and updates. You can also join the Van Halen Fan Group on Facebook to connect with other diehards swapping stories and rare finds.