On Top

In order to be successful in life, you have to put in work. To use a common cliché, you only get out what you put in. I have had this mentality so far while attending SLU, but it isn’t so easy to have all the time. When I feel like procrastinating, I often like to go on a run and listen to “On Top” by Flume. The intensity of the music and lyrics put together instils a drive within me that helps me vigorously pursue my education and what I want to do with my life someday.

The song begins with something we can all relate to:

All that I want in this life is the chance to do my thing
All that I want in this life is the chance to do my thing
Yeah

Like I’ve said before, the reason we all go to college is so that we have the opportunity to study what we love. If we don’t take the chance to do our thing, it becomes difficult to remain motivated and stay on top. If we don’t take the chance to do our thing, whatever that may be, then what is the point of our studies?

After the opening lyrics, the song then gets into pure ambition:

I want the top
All my people right there at the back of the spot
I need the top

This is the point of the song that really gets me going when I’m on a run. Not only wanting the top but needing the top pushes me when I’m in a rut. However, we can’t achieve greatness all on our own which these lyrics point out. There are many people in our lives who helped us to get where we are now, and we can’t take this for granted. In my case, I don’t know where I would be without my parents. Because they have provided me the opportunity to study what I love, they make me want to achieve even more.

Furthermore, to become successful in life, you’re going to have to give some things up along the way. This is apparent in the following lyrics:

And you don’t just wake up rich one day
This kind of life never just slip your way
I gave up taking care free trips to the Bay
Cali banned us ’cause I got a flip in LA

These lyrics get back at the idea that you can’t take anything in life for granted. If becoming rich is your idea of success, then you’re going to have to give some things up. In this case, he “gave up taking care free trips to the Bay” in order to work on his musical career. Sometimes, we have to give up parts of our lives in order to get to the top.

The reality that you have to give certain things up in order to move forward is also seen when Flume writes, “No breaks for me, no vaca’s for me.” In order to become successful, the grind cannot stop. Every day is a new challenge and must be lived to the fullest.

Not only what we do in this world is important but so is what we leave behind.

History favors the bulldog
Roast something, make sure my story gets told
Make sure our story gets told
The night’s forever young, it’s us that gets old

There’s a saying that history is written by the winners. However, I believe these lyrics hold more truth in that history gets written by the “bulldog.” In order for our stories to be told, we have to be memorable. In order to be memorable, we have to want to be the best that we can be. To be successful, you have to be fierce and ambitious like a bulldog. In order to make a difference in this world, you have to get outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there.

Although I only normally listen to this song when I work out, it still contains many truths. The pathway to the top is long and hard. If you can remember one thing from this blog, don’t take anything for granted. If you always work hard, then maybe one day you will reach the top. Do what you love and do it to the best of your abilities.

Listen to “On Top” here: