The song is notable due to the fact that it was used as the theme tune for HBO 's '' The Wire '' throughout its five season run , with cover versions by The Blind Boys of Alabama , The Neville Brothers , Domaje and Steve Earle .
The song is notable for being used as the theme tune for HBO 's '' The Wire '' . 
 Each season uses a different recording of the song against a different opening sequence , with the theme being performed , in order , by The Blind Boys of Alabama , Waits himself , The Neville Brothers , DoMaJe and Steve Earle .