I think a lot of people discovered Way Down in the Hole, by Tom Waits, when it featured as the theme tune for the TV series The Wire (2002-2008). Each season a different artist’s recording was used, with Waits’ original not being used until season 2.

Myself, I learned it from my stint backing up Mudslide Morris in that home of the Blues, Oxford (Oxford Blue, that is… Pantone 282). It is based on a 16 bar blues form and is one of those riff-based tunes that I’ve managed to get into my fingers enough that I can sing it at the same time. Here’s a bit of the version I presented (on double bass) at The Plough singaround in Loughborough on 12 August:

The next plough session is on 26 August – all welcome, whether with a song or two to share or as the much-appreciated audience.