Sitting on Top of the World (Public Domain Song - Written by Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon)Marla

Marla Drake’s breathtaking performance on Sitting on Top of the World embodies the vulnerability expressed in the lyrics through her intuitive, tender, yet powerful phrasing. The Project Preservation Band lays a lush soundscape for Drake’s performance, incorporating traditional blues and jazz.

Featured Artist:

Marla Drake (Lead Vocals)

Band:

David Adkins (Guitar, Organ, and Piano)

Marcus Hart (Bass)

John Seals (Drums)

Tony Staffiero (Alto, Baritone and Tenor Sax)

Song History:

“Sitting on Top of the World” is a country blues tune that was written by Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon, core members of the African American string band, the Mississippi Sheiks, who first recorded the song in 1930. It was later recorded by artists spanning various genres, from country to blues to rock such as: Milton Brown, Bob Willis, Bob Monroe, Doc Watson, Howlin’ Wolf, the Grateful Dead, Cream, and Jack White. The lyrics portray long-suffering patience in the face of difficult loss, capturing the quintessential spirit of longing in early American blues music. Given the song’s long life and cultural significance, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008 and was also chosen by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2017 as being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant” and an aural treasure “worthy of preservation” (National Recording Registry Reaches 500).

Lyrics:

One winter day, he went away

He's gone and left me, and

He's gone to stay

My baby's gone and I won't worry

'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

(I said) If you don't like my peaches, don't you shake my tree

Get out of my orchard, let my peaches be

So now he's gone but I don't worry

Lord - I'm sittin on top of the world

Close the door behind you

(SOLO)

He called me on the phone, from up in Chicago

He said he was coming back & “baby, oh I need you so”

But now he's gone, but I don't worry

Lord I'm sittin on top of the world

One winter day, he went away

He's gone and left me, and

He's gone to stay

My baby's gone and I won't worry

'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

Was in the cold, one winter day

My sweetheart left me; Lord he went away

And now he's gone, but I don't worry

Lord I'm sittin on top of the world