The title line of "Sitting on Top of the World" is similar to a well-known popular song of the 1920s, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World", written by Ray Henderson, Sam Lewis and Joe Young (popularised by Al Jolson in 1926). However the two songs are distinct, both musically and lyrically. Similarities have also been noted that "Sitting on Top of the World" was derived from an earlier song by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, "You Got To Reap What You Sow" (1929). Tampa Red used the same melody in his version from the same year. In May 1930, Charlie Patton recorded a version of the song (with altered lyrics) called “Some Summer Day” During the next few years renditions of "Sitting on Top of the World" were recorded by a number of artists: the Two Poor Boys, Doc Watson, Big Bill Broonzy, Sam Collins, Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies, and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. After Milton Brown recorded it for Bluebird Records the song became a staple in the repertoire of western swing bands. Cream [first recorded it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAji6fEsmzg) in 1968 and played it at their [2005 reunion show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64-mvAXJJj4).