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Sitting On Top Of The World

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Sitting on Top of the World is a folk-blues song written by Walter Vinson (also known as Walter Jacobs) and Lonnie Chatmon, core members of The Mississippi Sheiks, a popular country blues band of the 1930s. The song was first recorded by The Mississippi Sheiks in 1930 (on the Okeh label, No. 8784), and became a popular cross-over hit for the band. During the next few years cover-versions of ‘Sitting on Top of the World’ were recorded by a number of artists: Two Poor Boys (Joe Evans & Arthur McClain), the Famous Hokum Boys, Big Bill Broonzy, Sam Collins, Milton Brown and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. [1]

‘Sitting on Top of the World’ has become a standard of traditional American music. The song has been widely recorded in a variety of different styles – folk, blues, country, bluegrass – often with considerable variations and/or additions to the original verses. The lyrics convey a stoic optimism in the face of adversity and the song has been described as a “simple, elegant distillation of the Blues”.[2]

Antecedents

The title line of ‘Sitting on Top of the World’ was probably borrowed from a well-known popular song of the 1920s, ‘I'm Sitting on Top of the World’, written by Ray Henderson, Sam Lewis and Joe Young (popularised by Al Jolson in 1926). However the two songs are distinct, both musically and lyrically (apart from the title). [3]

Claims are made that ‘Sitting on Top of the World’ was derived from the earlier songs: ‘How Long, How Long’ by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, a blues hit recorded in 1928, and Carr & Blackwell’s follow-up song ‘You Got To Reap What You Sow’ (1929).[4] Charlie Patton’s ‘Some Summer Day’, recorded in 1930, also has musical similarities to ‘Sitting on Top of the World’. [5]

Notable cover versions

  • Ray Charles (1949)
  • Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee (1955)
  • Howlin' Wolf (1957)
  • Bill Monroe (1957)
  • Carl Perkins (1958)
  • Memphis Slim (1961)
  • Doc Watson (1962)
  • The Grateful Dead (1967)
  • Cream (‘Wheels of Fire (studio)’ album – 1968)
  • Chet Atkins (1968)
  • Jerry Reed (1969)
  • Jelly Roll Kings [‘Off Yonder Wall’ album (1971); reissued 1997 by Fat Possum Records) – mp3 available
  • Sam Chatmon (1974)
  • John Lee Hooker (1974)
  • Chris Smither (1984)
  • The Seldom Scene (1986)
  • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1989)
  • Ronnie Earl (1990)
  • Lonesome River Band (1991)
  • Bob Dylan (1992)
  • Pat Travers (11 April 1992)
  • Jack Bruce (1993)
  • Taj Mahal (1993)
  • Greg Kihn (1994)
  • Hans Theessink (1995)
  • Willie Nelson (2000)
  • Van Morrison & Carl Perkins ('Good Rockin' Tonight' album - 2001)
  • Bill Frisell (2002)
  • Ellen McIlwaine (2002)
  • Jack White (2003 – on the original soundtrack of the movie "Cold Mountain")
  • The Radiators (8 June 2004)

References

  1. ^ "'Sitting on Top of the World'". Retrieved 12 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "'Sittin' on Top of the World', Everything2 web-site". Retrieved 12 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Song Genealogy from "Sittin' On Top Of The World"". Retrieved 12 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Song Genealogy from "Sittin' On Top Of The World"". Retrieved 12 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "The Bluegrass Messengers: I'm Sittin' on Top of the World – Version 8". Retrieved 12 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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