I don’t know why but lately I’ve been hearing the Flatlanders’ version of “Sittin’ on Top of the World” a lot. The Flatlanders–consisting of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock, childhood friends from Lubbock, Texas –are as their one album states “More of a Legend than a Band,” rarely tour or record, but have influenced as disparate artists as Uncle Tupelo and the Clash.

But I knew this song mostly from Doc Watson and then as a country-blues-bluegrass piece rather than the rollicking sound of the Flatlanders’ version. Originally recorded by the Memphis Sheiks, it has been recorded and performed by so many people, in so many styles. Enjoy it.