“Sitting on Top of the World”

Description

Singer's woman leaves him, then says "Come back... I need you so". He spurns her: "If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree...." He'll find another woman. Ch.: "But now she's gone, and I don't worry/Because I'm sitting on top of the world"

Notes

This song should not be confused with the Tin Pan Alley song, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" (which goes on, "Just rollin' along, just rollin' along"), although the Mississippi Sheiks may have been ironically quoting from it. - PJS

Same tune

  • Mississippi Sheiks, "Sitting On Top of the World #2" (OKeh 8854, 1931; rec. 1930)

Recordings

  • Beale St. Rounders, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (Vocalion 1555, 1930)
  • (Joe) Evans & (Arthur) McClain, "Sitting On Top of the World" (Banner 32211/Oriole 8079/Perfect 180/Romeo 5079, 1931)
  • Shelton Brothers, "I'm Sittin' On Top of the World" (Decca 5190, 1936)
  • Mississippi Sheiks, "Sitting on Top of the World" (OKeh 8784, 1930; OKeh 45506, 1931)
  • Scottdale String Band, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (OKeh 45509, 1931; rec. 1930)
  • Doc Watson, "Sitting On Top of the World" (on WatsonAshley1)
  • Clarence Williams Jug Band, "Sitting On Top of the World" (OKeh 8826, 1930)
  • Bob Wills, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (Vocalion 03139, 1936 [rec. 1935])

References

  1. DT, STTNTOP*
  2. Roud #7689
  3. BI, dtSTTNTO

About

Author: Probably Walter Vincson (Digital Tradition lists Lonnie Carter and Walter Jacobs)
Earliest date: 1930 (recording, Mississippi Sheiks)
Found in: US(SE,So)