This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
One summer day, she went away;
Gone and left me, she's gone to stay.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
All the summer, worked all this fall.
Had to take Christmas in my overalls.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
Going down to the freight yard, gonna catch me a freight train.
Going to leave this town; worked and got to home.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
Gone and left me, she's gone to stay.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
All the summer, worked all this fall.
Had to take Christmas in my overalls.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
Going down to the freight yard, gonna catch me a freight train.
Going to leave this town; worked and got to home.
She's gone, but I don't worry:
I'm sitting on top of the world.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Sitting on Top of the World Lyrics as written by Chester Burnett
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this is a blues song fo sure. not really much else to it.. pure & simple.. it is about rationalization of your relationship or life falling apart -- it's about survival and what you will do to survive. you will do damn near anything won't you -- you blood sucking vampires! this is a beautiful song.