Top
by Live

Album: Throwing Copper (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this alt-rock track, Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk turns his back on corrupt leaders who gain loyalty through false promises. In the bridge, he sings:

    Oh, Hitler, in a robe of truth
    My emptiness has built your altar
    And I've worshipped myself in you forever
    Until now


    Kowalczyk generally likes fans to come up with their own interpretations of his lyrics, but he was quick to clear up any assumptions that he sympathized with the Nazi dictator. "I've been really anxious to clear up this thing about the lyrics to 'Top.' A lot of times I write lyrics in a very stream of consciousness kind of way and in no way is the Hitler referral in that song sympathy at all. I think if you know our history, you would probably know that," he explained in a Straight Out Of York interview.

    "The way the lyrics go, the song is really about leaders in general and people's affection for them and I think that you can insert any leader, any ideological megalomaniac in place of Hitler, and for that matter, any leader - any religious leader or political leader because the song is really about personal responsibility and it's not about Hitler or the Nazis in particular. That was just what I decided to write about that day… the phrase 'Hitler in a robe of truth' is real because that's what the German people gave to him - a robe of truth, he was their deliverer and he was going to deliver them from all their pain and it ended up being a catastrophe, the Holocaust and everything. The song's about liberating yourself from leaders and that kind of influence."
  • This was one of seven songs from Throwing Copper that Live performed at Woodstock '94. Splitting the bill with Sheryl Crow, Violent Femmes, and Collective Soul on Day 1 of the festival, their set earned them lots of new fans who flocked to buy the album and helped take it to #1 in America.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?