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Sitting on Top of the World Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Sitting on Top of the World: A Blues Standard's Legacy

Cheat Sheet:
Sitting on Top of the World: A Blues Standard's Legacy Study Guide

Origins and Initial Release (Mississippi Sheiks)

The blues standard 'Sitting on Top of the World' was originally recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks and released in 1930.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Mississippi Sheiks recorded 'Sitting on Top of the World' on February 17, 1930, and it was released that same year, establishing it as a blues standard.

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Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon are officially credited as the primary songwriters for 'Sitting on Top of the World'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon, both members of the Mississippi Sheiks, are credited as the songwriters. Walter Vinson also provided an account of its composition.

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The Mississippi Sheiks' original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World' was released on the Bluebird record label.

Answer: False

Explanation: The original recording by the Mississippi Sheiks was released on the Okeh record label, not Bluebird.

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Walter Vinson claimed to have composed 'Sitting on Top of the World' after playing at a dance in Memphis, Tennessee.

Answer: False

Explanation: Walter Vinson stated he composed the song after a dance in Greenwood, Mississippi, not Memphis, Tennessee.

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The Mississippi Sheiks' original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World' has a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

Answer: True

Explanation: The original recording by the Mississippi Sheiks indeed has a runtime of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

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The B-side to the Mississippi Sheiks' single 'Sitting on Top of the World' was 'Roll and Tumble Blues'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The B-side to the Mississippi Sheiks' single was 'Lonely One in This Town,' not 'Roll and Tumble Blues'.

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The Mississippi Sheiks recorded 'Sitting on Top of the World' on February 17, 1930.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Mississippi Sheiks' recording session for 'Sitting on Top of the World' took place on February 17, 1930.

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The original musical genre of 'Sitting on Top of the World' is urban blues.

Answer: False

Explanation: The original musical genre of the song is country blues, an earlier, rural form of blues, distinct from urban blues.

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Okeh Records, the label that released the original 'Sitting on Top of the World', was founded in 1918.

Answer: True

Explanation: Okeh Records, the label for the original release, was indeed founded in 1918.

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The alternative title for 'Sitting on Top of the World' is 'Sittin' on Top of the World'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The alternative title 'Sittin' on Top of the World' is indeed a common variant for the blues standard.

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Who originally recorded the blues standard 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: The Mississippi Sheiks

Explanation: The Mississippi Sheiks are credited with the original recording of this enduring blues standard.

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In what year was the original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World' released?

Answer: 1930

Explanation: The original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World' was released in 1930.

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Which record label released the Mississippi Sheiks' original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Okeh record label

Explanation: The Mississippi Sheiks' original recording was issued by the Okeh record label.

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Who are credited as the primary songwriters for 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon

Explanation: Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon are recognized as the songwriters for 'Sitting on Top of the World'.

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What was the B-side to the Mississippi Sheiks' single 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Lonely One in This Town

Explanation: The B-side of the Mississippi Sheiks' single was 'Lonely One in This Town'.

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What is the duration of the Mississippi Sheiks' original recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: 3 minutes and 10 seconds

Explanation: The original recording by the Mississippi Sheiks has a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

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According to Walter Vinson, where did he compose 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: After playing at a white dance in Greenwood, Mississippi

Explanation: Walter Vinson recounted composing the song after a dance in Greenwood, Mississippi.

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What is the primary title of the blues standard discussed?

Answer: Sitting on Top of the World

Explanation: The primary title of this blues standard is 'Sitting on Top of the World'.

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What is the original musical genre of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Country blues

Explanation: The song's original musical genre is country blues, an early form of the blues.

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Musical and Lyrical Analysis

The lyrical theme of the original 'Sitting on Top of the World' primarily conveys a sense of deep despair and hopelessness.

Answer: False

Explanation: The lyrics of the original song express a stoic optimism in the face of emotional setbacks, rather than deep despair.

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The song 'Sitting on Top of the World' is characterized by a strophic twelve-bar blues structure.

Answer: False

Explanation: The song actually features a strophic nine-bar blues structure, not a twelve-bar one.

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The ninth bar in the song's structure primarily provides lyrical emphasis rather than rhythmic separation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ninth bar in the strophic nine-bar blues structure is specifically designed to provide rhythmic separation between stanzas, not lyrical emphasis.

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The lyrical structure of 'Sitting on Top of the World' consists of complex, interwoven narratives.

Answer: False

Explanation: The lyrical structure is described as simple, comprising rhyming couplets followed by a two-line chorus, not complex narratives.

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What is the primary lyrical theme of the original 'Sitting on Top of the World' song?

Answer: Stoic optimism in the face of emotional setbacks

Explanation: The original lyrics convey a sense of stoic optimism, characteristic of the blues' emotional depth.

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What is the fundamental musical structure of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Strophic nine-bar blues structure

Explanation: The song is structured as a strophic nine-bar blues, a consistent and recognizable framework.

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What is the specific purpose of the ninth bar in the song's structure?

Answer: To provide rhythmic separation between stanzas

Explanation: The ninth bar functions as a rhythmic separator, marking the transition between stanzas.

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What is a key characteristic of the lyrical structure of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: A series of rhyming couplets, each followed by a two-line chorus

Explanation: The lyrical structure is characterized by rhyming couplets, each succeeded by a two-line chorus.

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Cultural Significance and Genre Adaptations

The song 'Sitting on Top of the World' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.

Answer: False

Explanation: The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008, not 2018.

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After its original release, 'Sitting on Top of the World' became a staple in country and bluegrass music, popularized by artists such as Bob Wills and Bill Monroe.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following the Mississippi Sheiks' original, the song was indeed popularized in country and bluegrass by artists like Bob Wills and Bill Monroe, becoming a standard in those genres.

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The song 'Sitting on Top of the World' has been widely recorded in diverse styles, including folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and rock.

Answer: True

Explanation: The song's versatility is evident in its extensive recordings across numerous genres such as folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and rock.

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The Library of Congress selected 'Sitting on Top of the World' for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2018.

Answer: True

Explanation: The song was indeed selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018, recognizing its cultural significance.

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In what year was 'Sitting on Top of the World' inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame?

Answer: 2008

Explanation: The song received its induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

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Which of the following musical styles has 'Sitting on Top of the World' NOT been widely recorded in?

Answer: Jazz fusion

Explanation: While widely adapted across folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and rock, the provided information does not indicate extensive recordings in jazz fusion.

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In what year was 'Sitting on Top of the World' selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress?

Answer: 2018

Explanation: The Library of Congress selected the song for the National Recording Registry in 2018.

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Which of these artists significantly contributed to establishing 'Sitting on Top of the World' as a staple in country and bluegrass music after the Mississippi Sheiks' original?

Answer: Bill Monroe

Explanation: Bill Monroe, along with Bob Wills, helped popularize the song in country and bluegrass genres.

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Howlin' Wolf's Chicago Blues Reinterpretation

Howlin' Wolf reinterpreted 'Sitting on Top of the World' as a Chicago blues song, releasing his version in 1957.

Answer: True

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf indeed reworked the song into a Chicago blues style, and his version was issued by Chess Records in 1957.

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Howlin' Wolf's rendition of 'Sitting on Top of the World' was included on 'The Real Folk Blues' compilation series in 1966.

Answer: True

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf's version was indeed featured on 'The Real Folk Blues' compilation, released in 1966.

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Howlin' Wolf's recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World' was typically backed by a blues ensemble including a saxophone and trumpet.

Answer: False

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf's recording featured a typical blues ensemble of electric guitar, piano, bass, and drums, not a horn section with saxophone and trumpet.

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Howlin' Wolf frequently opened his live performances with 'Sitting on Top of the World' later in his career.

Answer: False

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf actually often closed his live sets with 'Sitting on Top of the World' later in his career, rather than opening with it.

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Rock groups in the 1960s primarily adapted the Mississippi Sheiks' original version of 'Sitting on Top of the World'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Rock groups in the 1960s predominantly adapted Howlin' Wolf's Chicago blues version of the song, rather than the Mississippi Sheiks' original.

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Which artist famously reinterpreted 'Sitting on Top of the World' as a Chicago blues song?

Answer: Howlin' Wolf

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf is renowned for his reinterpretation of the song into the Chicago blues style.

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When did Howlin' Wolf release his Chicago blues version of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: 1957

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf's Chicago blues rendition was released as a single in 1957.

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On which compilation album was Howlin' Wolf's rendition of 'Sitting on Top of the World' included in 1966?

Answer: The Real Folk Blues

Explanation: Howlin' Wolf's version was featured on 'The Real Folk Blues' compilation series in 1966.

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Which instrument was played by Hubert Sumlin on Howlin' Wolf's recording of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Electric guitar

Explanation: Hubert Sumlin contributed electric guitar to Howlin' Wolf's recording of the song.

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Notable Cover Versions and Influences

The Grateful Dead performed 'Sitting on Top of the World' at a very slow tempo of 44 beats per minute (bpm).

Answer: False

Explanation: While Cream performed it at 44 bpm, the Grateful Dead's rock-oriented version was played at a very fast 252 bpm.

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Jack White recorded an acoustic version of 'Sitting on Top of the World' for the soundtrack to the 2003 film 'Cold Mountain'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Jack White did record an acoustic version of the song specifically for the 'Cold Mountain' soundtrack in 2003.

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The band Cream included a rendition of 'Sitting on Top of the World' on their 1968 album 'Disraeli Gears'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Cream's rendition of the song was featured on their 1968 album 'Wheels Of Fire,' not 'Disraeli Gears'.

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Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa featured 'Sitting on Top of the World' on their 2018 album 'Black Coffee'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa did include 'Sitting on Top of the World' on their 2018 album 'Black Coffee'.

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An AllMusic review praised Jack White's 'Cold Mountain' performance for its authentic rock and roll energy.

Answer: False

Explanation: The AllMusic review described Jack White's vocal style as a 'throaty warble like a dust-bowl carny,' noting his adaptation to traditional country and Americana, not specifically rock and roll energy.

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Which rock band performed 'Sitting on Top of the World' at a notably slow tempo of 44 bpm?

Answer: Cream

Explanation: Cream performed their version of the song at a very slow tempo of 44 bpm.

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Who recorded an acoustic version of 'Sitting on Top of the World' for the 2003 film 'Cold Mountain' soundtrack?

Answer: Jack White

Explanation: Jack White recorded an acoustic rendition specifically for the 'Cold Mountain' film soundtrack.

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On which 1968 album did the band Cream include a rendition of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Wheels Of Fire

Explanation: Cream's rendition of the song was featured on their 1968 album 'Wheels Of Fire'.

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Which 2018 album by Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa features 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Black Coffee

Explanation: Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa included 'Sitting on Top of the World' on their 2018 album 'Black Coffee'.

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What was the tempo of the Grateful Dead's rock-oriented version of 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: A very fast 252 bpm

Explanation: The Grateful Dead's rendition was notably fast, recorded at 252 bpm.

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According to an AllMusic review, how did Jack White's vocal style on 'Sitting on Top of the World' for the 'Cold Mountain' soundtrack compare to traditional country?

Answer: He utilized his throaty warble like a dust-bowl carny.

Explanation: The AllMusic review specifically described Jack White's vocal delivery as a 'throaty warble like a dust-bowl carny,' fitting the traditional country and Americana genre.

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Comparative Analysis and Distinctions

The song 'Sitting on Top of the World' shares the same musical and lyrical composition as Al Jolson's 1926 hit 'I'm Sitting on Top of the World'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite a similar title, the two songs are distinct compositions, both musically and lyrically.

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Similarities have been noted between 'Sitting on Top of the World' and an earlier song by Robert Johnson.

Answer: False

Explanation: Similarities were noted with an earlier song by Tampa Red, not Robert Johnson.

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Which 1920s popular song, popularized by Al Jolson, shares a similar title line but is musically and lyrically distinct from 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: I'm Sitting on Top of the World

Explanation: Al Jolson's 'I'm Sitting on Top of the World' shares a title but is a distinct composition.

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Which artist is noted to have an earlier song with musical similarities to 'Sitting on Top of the World'?

Answer: Tampa Red

Explanation: Similarities have been observed between 'Sitting on Top of the World' and an earlier song by Tampa Red.

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