DARREN ESPANTO COVERS “TOP OF THE WORLD” FOR “LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE”

COLUMBIA Pictures has just unveiled the video of Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto covering Shawn Mendes’ Top of the World from Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. 

The video is a collaboration with UMUSIC PH to celebrate the release of the movie and the original motion picture soundtrack featuring Shawn Mendes.

Top of the World is one of the original songs from the musical comedy with Mendes as the singing voice of Lyle, the croc with a heart of gold.

Espanto said he “had so much fun” shooting the video and invited fans to sing along, and go on top of the world too.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is now showing in cinemas across the Philippines.

Check out the video below and avail of the original motion picture soundtrack now, also featuring the track “Heartbeat.”

YouTube: https://youtu.be/g7FUuINejXA

Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action / CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.

When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened, the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile features original songs performed by Shawn Mendes and written by the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.

Lyle’s solo ballad, Top of the World, was written by Pasek, Paul and Joriah Kwamé.  In the scene where the song was featured, Lyle shows Josh the wonders of New York City.  “Even though Lyle has to sneak out in the middle of the night, because the world is afraid of him, he finds refuge on the top of a theater,” says Paul.

Suddenly, with Josh, Lyle has someone to experience everything that magical city has to offer – including how to eat at the best restaurants in New York for free (a trick taught to him by Hector P. Valenti). “He’s just taught Josh how to dumpster dive, they’re walking through the city, and music pours up through the grate from a Broadway show downstairs,” says Pasek. “It’s Lyle’s favorite song, and he can’t wait to share it with Josh and celebrate this moment of finding someone to share his life with.”

“There is a certain magic and comfort to nightlife in New York City, especially as an artist,” says Kwamé. “It was an absolute treat to put ourselves in the mind and heart of Lyle, who at this moment on that Broadway theater roof, knows that he belongs. I hope the song gives hope to people worldwide who are still looking for that safe space,” he concludes.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.  Connect with the hashtag #LyleLyleCrocodile

(ROHN ROMULO)