Top of My School ORIGINAL SONG

I’m super excited to release my original musical theatre song Top of My School! Thanks to Joshua Turchin for his amazing piano arrangement and everyone in the ensemble for their incredible vocals! Also, thanks to Kelly (KikwiSHHArt) for creating the stunning 3-D model for the album cover!

Bree is a confident, charismatic young girl who is highly driven by success and validation. She fears failure and believes that her accomplishments are what define her, making her extremely ambitious. To her peers, she may seem like a show-off or narcissist, as she wants to be noticed and admired. In an attempt to earn her parents’ praise and approval, she continuously overworks herself. When Bree feels challenged, she can become extremely jealous, competitive, and even ruthless. When a new student exceeds Bree’s success, Bree is willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain her superior image.

Music, lyrics, arrangement, and lead vocals by Katherine Lynn-Rose.
Piano and piano arrangement by Joshua Turchin.
Album cover art by KikwiSHHArt.

LYRICS:
Some people live the life that was given
Some people just get by
Some people never learned how to be driven
Some people don’t even try
But some people know what their heart desires
Some people lead with a passionate fire
And some people know that they’re destined
To fly

I’ll go all out, ace every test
No doubt, outdo all the rest
Don’t pout or settle for second best
So I won’t stop, and won’t lose my cool
Don’t flop ‘cause Harvard’s no fool
And who’ll love me
If I’m not the top of my school

She’s the top (She’s the top)
She’s the top (She’s the top)
She’s the top (She’s the)
Top of our top of our school

Maybe my friends will say I’m overzealous
Maybe I try too hard (Maybe she tries too hard)
Maybe they’ll just have to learn to be jealous
Watching me shine like a star
‘Cause maybe I know what my heart desires
Maybe I’ll lead with a passionate fire
‘Cause baby I know that I’m destined
To fly

But if I hadn’t earned a dollar
What would you think of your dear daughter
Would it be pity or dishonour
To ensue
And if I failed to earn blue ribbon
How could I ever be forgiven
Tell me what love would still be given
From you

I’ll go all out, ace every test
No doubt, outdo all the rest
Don’t pout or settle for second best
So I won’t stop, and won’t lose my cool
Don’t flop ‘cause Harvard’s no fool
And who’ll love me
If I’m not the top of my school

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Twitter: @katherinelynnro

[mizukimishikatooo]

"What if I hadn't earned a dollar? What would you think of your dear daughter? Would it be pity or dishonor?" HITS HARD

[jellyfish]

"Maybe they’ll just have to learn to be jealous" ASJDKJLDJ

[Ottrpup]

Top of My School, Little Miss Perfect, and Alyssa Greene, the holy trinity of Gifted Kid Burnout Songs™

[starraesky]

Fun fact: I heard this song on Spotify two days ago and was both shocked and impressed that it was an original song and not a song from a musical.

[janinecayabyab]

This isn't about being the best in school its about gaining validation from parents and other people, the fear of being a disappointment

[digestivebiscuit]

Oof this hits different as a a "gifted kid" mid-burn out

[vao]

This feels like a classic Disney movie in the best way possible

[velvethunder]

it took depression for me to understand that my compalsiveness to be an excellent student was so very unhealty. if you reading this, please stop before it's too late. i know it's hard, but you are worth so much more than your grades, love.

[BitesforNugget]

Can we please shout out the backup singers? Like- they gave me so many chills.

[valevalneri]

the sad part is when you are no longer the best even if try your hardest, this song is just so relatable, i love it

[allytupasii]

Being a Filipino is really hard. Sometimes the pressure is breaking my sanity, and if I fail it would seem I let them down. Why can't parents just be proud of who their children are and support them.

[elius]

Today I got back my ACT scores. Studying for it was the most stressful thing I’d ever done, and my parents spent a thousand dollars on a tutor. I did all that work just to raise my score by 2 points. This hit different

[melikedoggos]

I rarely see songs that have this topic. In my younger years I got so blinded by the drive of making everyone proud. One time we got a quiz in 4th grade and I got a 72 percent and cried in the bathroom for hours. In my school years I accomplished many things, so people started expecting me to automatically be the best at everything. So in return I needed to try and be the best at everything just to make sure I didn’t let them down. I regret that I skipped my prom, hanging out with my friends, etc. Looking back I never had an actual fun childhood because I was so driven to be the best that I ignored everything that wasn’t necessary. At the end of my college graduation I had an existential crisis. I didn’t know who I was. What my hobbies were. I didn’t know what to do with my life. It’s been years and I’ve gotten therapy. I’m finding myself and I’ve learned that even though it’s good to be driven and ambitious, don’t go too far. Remember, don’t try to grow up to fast. We have the majority of our lives to be adults, but we can only experience our childhood once. Have a outstanding day ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Oh and Katherine AMAZING song! You have a great future ahead of you 💕

[Avyy_]

My mom tells me that it’s okay as long as i try and succeed but I also have that huge desire and feeling that deep down she wants me to be great being her oldest daughter. She is a hard working and powerful women that has sacrificed her life for her children and I wanna show her that her sacrifice and hard work will not go unnoticed

[Aria_Ri._.]

Some people live the life that was given
Some people just get by
Some people never learned how to be driven
Some people don't even try
But some people know what their heart desires
Some people lead with a passionate fire
And some people know that they're destined
To fly
I'll go all out, ace every test
No doubt, outdo all the rest
Don't pout or settle for second best
So I won't stop, and won't lose my cool
Don't flop 'cause Harvard's no fool
And who'll love me
If I'm not the top of my school
She's the top (She's the top)
She's the top (She's the top)
She's the top (She's the)
Top of our top of our school
Maybe my friends will say I'm overzealous
Maybe I try too hard (Maybe she tries too hard)
Maybe they'll just have to learn to be jealous
Watching me shine like a star
'Cause maybe I know what my heart desires
Maybe I'll lead with a passionate fire
'Cause baby I know that I'm destined
To fly
But if I hadn't earned a dollar
What would you think of your dear daughter
Would it be pity or dishonour
To ensue
And if I failed to earn blue ribbon
How could I ever be forgiven
Tell me what love would still be given
From you
I'll go all out, ace every test
No doubt, outdo all the rest
Don't pout or settle for second best
So I won't stop, and won't lose my cool
Don't flop 'cause Harvard's no fool
And who'll love me
If I'm not the top of my school

[malak-ijlf]

I want this to become viral because it deserves it. Tiktok, do your thing

[iambored]

I literally got a 106% on a test for one of my AP classes which was the highest in the class and my parents didn’t even care. I told them and they were like ok… 😐. They literally expect me to be the best and don’t even say they are proud of me when I do the best.

[noodlelegs]

This song just perfectly portrayed what it feels like to actually be top of your class. I was always praised for being smart at private school in a small class of 22 people which wasn’t under or overwhelming, but I’ve had to go to public school for hs. I’m into the second semester of freshman year and already people only acknowledge me because I’m smart or top of our class. Like if I was anything else nobody would like me, which sounds bad but it’s the harsh reality. The sad fact is my parents aren’t even putting pressure on me and that I’m the culprit of putting pressure on myself. This song hits really close to home.

Edit: it’s reassuring that people in the replies have the same struggles that I do- it really does show that you’re never alone (thanks for all the caring replies <3)

[astroyui]

I’m listening to this again for the 100th time and I just realized the lyrics go well with Meilin Lee from Turning Red

[waffle_dude]

Honestly, as an Asian, I really relate to this sooo much. It’s literally my vent music. I once got an A and my parents screamed at me so much and beat me up because I didn’t get a A+. This really hits home.