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{{Short description|1989 single by James}}
{{Short description|1989 single by James}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Sit Down
| name = Sit Down
Line 7: Line 7:
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[James (band)|James]]
| artist = [[James (band)|James]]
| album = [[Gold Mother]] {{noitalic|(re-recorded version)}}
| released = {{start date|1989|6|19|df=y}}
| released = {{start date|1989|6|19|df=y}}
| recorded = Late 1988
| written = Late 1988
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Madchester]]
| genre =
* [[Madchester]]
* [[Alternative dance|indie dance]]<ref name= "Stanley 2013">{{cite book|first=Bob |last=Stanley|title=Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop|chapter= 1991: Time for the Mu Mu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9emZAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT7|date=13 September 2013|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=978-0-571-28198-5|page=637}}</ref>
| length =
| length =
* {{Duration|m=7|s=39}} (original)
* {{Duration|m=7|s=39}} (original)
Line 22: Line 25:
* [[Tim Booth]]
* [[Tim Booth]]
* Gavan Whelan
* Gavan Whelan
| producer = [[Gil Norton]]
| producer =
* [[Gil Norton]]
* [[Steve Power]] (1991 version)
| prev_title = Ya Ho
| prev_title = Ya Ho
| prev_year = 1988
| prev_year = 1988
| next_title = [[Come Home (James song)|Come Home]]
| next_title = [[Come Home (James song)|Come Home]]
| next_year = 1989
| next_year = 1989
| misc = {{External music video|header=Official video (1991 version)|{{YouTube|zPNw_2h0CnU|"Sit Down"}}}}
| misc = {{Extra album cover
{{Extra album cover
| header = Re-release cover
| header = Re-release cover
| type = Single
| type = Single
Line 54: Line 60:
}}
}}
}}
}}
"'''Sit Down'''" is a song by English band [[James (band)|James]], originally released in June 1989 by [[Rough Trade Records]]. The song's lyrics were written in late 1988 as a homage to author [[Doris Lessing]] and singer [[Patti Smith]], who had inspired the lead singer of James, [[Tim Booth]]. In its eight-and-a-half-minute original form, the song only reached number 77 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] (although it did make number eight in [[John Peel]]'s [[Festive Fifty]] of that year).
"'''Sit Down'''" is a song by English band [[James (band)|James]], originally released in June 1989 by [[Rough Trade Records]]. In its eight-and-a-half-minute original form, the song reached number 77 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and was ranked number eight in [[John Peel]]'s [[Festive Fifty]] of that year.


After experiencing success as part of the [[Madchester]] music scene, a new version was released in March 1991 that was shorter and with new lyrics. Released via [[Fontana Records]], it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks there. It was the [[1991 in British music#Best-selling singles|20th best-selling single of 1991]] in the UK.<ref name="ukye">{{cite magazine |title=1991 Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music Week]] |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=20 |date=11 January 1992}}</ref>
After experiencing success as part of the [[Madchester]] music scene, a new version was released in March 1991 that was shorter and with new lyrics. Released via [[Fontana Records]], it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks there. It was the [[1991 in British music#Best-selling singles|20th best-selling single of 1991]] in the UK.<ref name="ukye">{{cite magazine |title=1991 Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music Week]] |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=20 |date=11 January 1992}}</ref>


In 2013, the song placed fourth in a poll by [[BBC Radio 2]] and the [[Official Charts Company]] to find the greatest track to miss out on the number-one spot in the UK charts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20881216|title=Ultravox's Vienna tops 'number two' poll|work=BBC News}}</ref> In the same year, James performed the song with [[Peter Kay]] for [[Comic Relief]]. On 30 March 2017 a version of the song was used in the promo of the [[Game of Thrones (season 7)|seventh season]] of the hit [[HBO]] series ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2017/03/30/game-of-thrones-season-7-trailer-teaser-video/ |title=Game of Thrones: Watch the Haunting First Season 7 Teaser Trailer Now |publisher=[[TVLine]] |first=Kimberly |last=Roots |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref>
In 2013, the song placed fourth in a poll by [[BBC Radio 2]] and the [[Official Charts Company]] to find the greatest track to miss out on the number-one spot in the UK charts.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 January 2013 |title=Ultravox's Vienna tops 'number two' poll |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20881216}}</ref> In the same year, James performed the song with [[Peter Kay]] for [[Comic Relief]]. On 30 March 2017 a version of the song was used in the promo of the [[Game of Thrones (season 7)|seventh season]] of the hit [[HBO]] series ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roots |first=Kimberly |date=30 March 2017 |title=''Game of Thrones'': Watch the Haunting First Season 7 Teaser Trailer Now |url=http://tvline.com/2017/03/30/game-of-thrones-season-7-trailer-teaser-video/ |access-date=30 March 2017 |publisher=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
The song's lyrics were written in late 1988 as a homage to author [[Doris Lessing]] and singer [[Patti Smith]], who had inspired James' lead singer [[Tim Booth]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=wearejames|author=James|number=1171544155497074690|title=The song Sit Down wasn't written about Patti Smith but she & the writings of Doris Lessing made Tim feel less alone & crazy—the same as the song has made Kristin feel.<br/>Kristin is right: #YouAreNotAlone<br/>@kexp @realtimbooth|accessdate=28 February 2023}}</ref> Booth told the ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'' in June 2004: "Sit Down is about me feeling so alone in my 20s and reading books by a writer called Doris Lessing which made me realise I wasn't. It was about being awake at 4am and having no-one to talk to."<ref>{{cite web |title=Sit Down by James |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/james/sit-down |website=Songfacts}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kemp |first=Sam |date=10 November 2022 |title=The song that makes Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders "feel sick" |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/90s-anthem-makes-matt-helders-feel-sick/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Far Out Magazine}}</ref>
⚫
In an interview with Dave Simpson of ''[[The Guardian]]'' on the effect of the song, James guitarist [[Larry Gott]] stated, “Sit Down is one of those songs that encourages people to put their arms around strangers. As soon as we launch into the opening bars, they start smiling. Then they turn to someone next to them or their girlfriend or boyfriend and hug them, and then they start singing every single word. As a musician, that's incredibly humbling.”<ref>{{cite news |title=Tim Booth and Larry Gott of James: how we made Sit Down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/12/how-we-made-sit-down-james-tim-booth |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>


⚫
In a 2014 interview with Dave Simpson of ''[[The Guardian]]'' on the effect of the song, James guitarist [[Larry Gott]] stated, "Sit Down is one of those songs that encourages people to put their arms around strangers. As soon as we launch into the opening bars, they start smiling. Then they turn to someone next to them or their girlfriend or boyfriend and hug them, and then they start singing every single word. As a musician, that's incredibly humbling."<ref>{{cite news |title=Tim Booth and Larry Gott of James: how we made Sit Down |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=12 May 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/12/how-we-made-sit-down-james-tim-booth |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The original cover depicts an image of the former [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] goalkeeper [[Tony Macedo]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=GraemeRMcNay|number=1081329705263996934|title=James - Sit Down (1989). Cover star is goalkeeper, Tony Macedo. (Fulham player during the 1950s-1960s)}}</ref>
The original cover depicts an image of the former [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] goalkeeper [[Tony Macedo]].


==Music videos==
⚫
==In popular culture==
The music video for the original 1989 Rough Trade release was directed by Ed Barton. It features Booth wearing a [[kaftan]], against a white background, with the band performing the song. At one stage Booth hugs a sheep. The video was banned for two weeks by the [[Musicians' Union (United Kingdom)|Musicians Union]] as [[Jim Glennie]] took the role of a drummer, which the union felt displaced a professional musician.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 1989 |title=Sit Down (1989) |url=https://www.oneofthethree.com/1989/06/19/single-james-sit-down-1989/ |website=One Of The Three}}</ref>
In 2006, ''Sit Down'' was used as a featured song in [[BBC Three]]'s ''[[Manchester Passion]]'', in which lead singer [[Tim Booth]] also appeared as [[Judas Iscariot]]. [[Darren Morfitt]], in the role of Jesus, sang a less upbeat rendition of the piece to his resting disciples while the presenter signalled the audience to sit down. Booth sang the song in an encore after the credits.

⚫
On 4 June 2017, [[Coldplay]] performed "Sit Down" at the ''[[One Love Manchester]]'' benefit concert for the victims of the [[Manchester Arena bombing]], before performing their song "[[Fix You]]".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=872096453937827842|user=wearejames|title=If you missed @coldplay's moving Sit Down intro at #OneLoveManchester–. Thanks lads, made us feel part of it 💗🐝<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Vicki|date=4 June 2017|title=People are being reduced to tears by Coldplay's rendition of Fix You at One Love|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/one-love-manchester-viewers-overcome-10561202|access-date=6 January 2021|website=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

⚫
Fans of [[Premier League]] club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] rewrote the lyrics of this song in 2018 as a new terrace chant for [[2017–18 Premier League|2017–18]] [[Premier League Golden Boot]] winner [[Mohamed Salah]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Liverpool fans have brilliant Mohamed Salah song|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fans-brilliant-salah-song-14161510|access-date=2 June 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=24 April 2018}}</ref> James' lead singer Tim Booth thought the version was witty and welcomed its use for one of the world's best footballers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salah's Kop song gets official James seal of approval|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/303025-liverpool-fc-tim-booth-mohamed-salah-song|access-date=2 June 2019|newspaper=Liverpool FC|date=25 May 2018}}</ref>


Another video was made for the 1991 re-release, which featured the band performing the song in front of a live audience.
The chorus of "Sit Down" was sung in the [[CBeebies]] programme ''[[Show Me Show Me]]'', when trying to see which toy would come sit next to presenter [[Chris Jarvis (presenter)|Chris Jarvis]], except the last line "in sympathy" was replaced with "next to me".


==Track listings==
==Track listings==
===1989 original release===
===1989 original release===
# "Sit Down" ''(7-inch and 8:31 extended version on 12-inch)''
# "Sit Down" (7-inch and 8:31 extended version on 12-inch)
# "Goin' Away" ''(12-inch and CD)''
# "Goin' Away" (12-inch and CD)
# "Sound Investment" ''(12-inch and CD)''
# "Sound Investment" (12-inch and CD)
# "Sky Is Falling" ''(7-inch, 12-inch and CD)''
# "Sky Is Falling" (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)


===1991 release===
===1991 release===
# "Sit Down" (new version) ''(7-inch, 12-inch and CD)''
# "Sit Down" (new version) (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)
# "Tonight" ''(12-inch and CD)''
# "Tonight" (12-inch and CD)
# "Sunday Morning" ''(Canadian CD)''
# "Sunday Morning" (Canadian CD)
# "Sit Down" (live at G-Mex) ''(7-inch, 12-inch and CD)''
# "Sit Down" (live at G-Mex) (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)


==="Sit Down '98"===
==="Sit Down '98"===
'''CD1'''
* '''CD1'''
# "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
# "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
# "Sit Down" (original)
# "Sit Down" (original)
# "[[China Girl (song)|China Girl]]" (Radio One Iggy Pop tribute)
# "[[China Girl (song)|China Girl]]" (Radio One Iggy Pop tribute)


'''CD2'''
* '''CD2'''
# "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
# "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
# "What For" (Glr Session)
# "What For" (Glr Session)
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|-
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|5|song=Sit Down|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|5|song=Sit Down|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands ([[Dutch Top 40|Dutch Top 40 Tipparade]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/1991/week-20|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 20, 1991|publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|language=nl|access-date=13 April 2023}}</ref>
|9
|-
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|42|artist=James|song=Sit Down|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|42|artist=James|song=Sit Down|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
Line 134: Line 139:


'''"Sit Down '98"'''
'''"Sit Down '98"'''
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1998)
!Chart (1998)
!Peak<br/>position
!Peak<br/>position
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=48|page=13|date=28 November 1998}}</ref>
|32
|-
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|5|date=19981121|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
{{single chart|Scotland|5|date=19981121|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2018}}
Line 152: Line 160:
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=21 December 1991|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=21 December 1991|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>
|93
|93
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=EHR Year-End Top 100|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=20|date=21 December 1991|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
|85
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref name="ukye"/>
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref name="ukye"/>
Line 173: Line 184:


==Release history==
==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Version
!scope="col"|Version
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!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
|-
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|United Kingdom
!scope="row" rowspan="4"|United Kingdom
|Original
|rowspan="2"|Original
|19 June 1989
|{{start date|1989|6|19|df=y}}
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl}}
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl}}
|[[Rough Trade Records|Rough Trade]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Rough Trade Records|Rough Trade]]
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite press release|title=Sit Down – Press Release|location=United Kingdom|publisher=Rough Trade Records|date=June 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1989/MW-1989-06-17.pdf|title=New Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=35|date=17 June 1989|access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite press release|title=Sit Down – Press Release|location=United Kingdom|publisher=Rough Trade Records|date=June 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=17 June 1989 |title=New Singles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1989/MW-1989-06-17.pdf |magazine=Music Week |page=35 |access-date=13 July 2021 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref>
|-
|26 June 1989
|CD
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 June 1989 |title=New Singles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1989/MW-1989-06-24.pdf |magazine=Music Week |page=39 |access-date=11 July 2022 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1991 version
|1991 version
|18 March 1991
|{{start date|1991|3|18|df=y}}
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|rowspan="2"|[[Fontana Records|Fontana]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Fontana Records|Fontana]]
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-03-16.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=16 March 1991|access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |date=16 March 1991 |title=New Releases: Singles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-03-16.pdf |magazine=Music Week |page=19 |access-date=13 July 2021 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref>
|-
|-
|"Sit Down '98"
|"Sit Down '98"
|9 November 1998
|{{start date|1998|11|9|df=y}}
|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}
|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-11-07.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=33|date=7 November 1998|access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |date=7 November 1998 |title=New Releases: Singles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-11-07.pdf |magazine=Music Week |page=33 |access-date=13 July 2021 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref>
|}
|}

⚫
==In popular culture==
⚫
On 4 June 2017, [[Coldplay]] performed "Sit Down" at the [[One Love Manchester]] benefit concert for the victims of the [[Manchester Arena bombing]], before performing their song "[[Fix You]]".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=872096453937827842|author=James|user=wearejames|title=If you missed @coldplay's moving Sit Down intro at #OneLoveManchester–. Thanks lads, made us feel part of it 💗🐝<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. -->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Vicki |date=4 June 2017 |title=One Love Manchester viewers overcome with emotion as Coldplay give moving performance of Fix You |website=Daily Mirror |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/one-love-manchester-viewers-overcome-10561202 |access-date=6 January 2021}}</ref>

⚫
Fans of [[Premier League]] club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] rewrote the lyrics of this song in 2018 as a new [[terrace chant]] for [[2017–18 Premier League|2017–18]] [[Premier League Golden Boot]] winner [[Mohamed Salah]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fans-brilliant-salah-song-14161510|title=Liverpool fans have brilliant Mohamed Salah song|last=Walsh|first=Kristian|access-date=2 June 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=24 April 2018}}</ref> Booth thought the version was witty and welcomed its use for Salah.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salah's Kop song gets official James seal of approval|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/303025-liverpool-fc-tim-booth-mohamed-salah-song|last=Shaw|first=Chris|access-date=2 June 2019|newspaper=Liverpool FC|date=25 May 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 204: Line 224:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.oneofthethree.co.uk/songs/sitdown.htm One of the Three Single Details]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175327/http://www.oneofthethree.co.uk/songs/sitdown.htm "Sit Down"] at One of the Three
* [http://www.oneofthethree.co.uk/sitdown89.htm One of the Three Single Details (1989 Version)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194214/http://www.oneofthethree.co.uk/sitdown89.htm "Sit Down (1989)"] at One of the Three


{{James (band)}}
{{James (band)}}
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[[Category:James (band) songs]]
[[Category:James (band) songs]]
[[Category:1989 singles]]
[[Category:1989 singles]]
⚫
[[Category:1989 songs]]
[[Category:1991 singles]]
[[Category:1991 singles]]
[[Category:1998 singles]]
[[Category:1998 singles]]
⚫
[[Category:1989 songs]]
[[Category:Fontana Records singles]]
[[Category:Fontana Records singles]]
[[Category:Rough Trade Records singles]]
[[Category:Rough Trade Records singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Gil Norton]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Gil Norton]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Power]]

Latest revision as of 19:35, 18 October 2024

"Sit Down"
Single by James
from the album Gold Mother (re-recorded version)
WrittenLate 1988
Released19 June 1989 (1989-06-19)
Genre
Length
  • 7:39 (original)
  • 4:05 (re-release)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
James singles chronology
"Ya Ho"
(1988) 		"Sit Down"
(1989) 		"Come Home"
(1989)
Official video (1991 version)
"Sit Down" on YouTube
Re-release cover
Cover of the 1991 release on Fontana
James re-release singles chronology
"Lose Control"
(1990) 		"Sit Down (re-recording)"
(1991) 		"Sound"
(1991)
James late-1990s singles chronology
"Runaground"
(1998) 		"Sit Down '98 (Apollo 440 mix)"
(1998) 		"I Know What I'm Here For"
(1999)

"Sit Down" is a song by English band James, originally released in June 1989 by Rough Trade Records. In its eight-and-a-half-minute original form, the song reached number 77 on the UK Singles Chart and was ranked number eight in John Peel's Festive Fifty of that year.

After experiencing success as part of the Madchester music scene, a new version was released in March 1991 that was shorter and with new lyrics. Released via Fontana Records, it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks there. It was the 20th best-selling single of 1991 in the UK.[2]

In 2013, the song placed fourth in a poll by BBC Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company to find the greatest track to miss out on the number-one spot in the UK charts.[3] In the same year, James performed the song with Peter Kay for Comic Relief. On 30 March 2017 a version of the song was used in the promo of the seventh season of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.[4]

Background

[edit]

The song's lyrics were written in late 1988 as a homage to author Doris Lessing and singer Patti Smith, who had inspired James' lead singer Tim Booth.[5] Booth told the Daily Record in June 2004: "Sit Down is about me feeling so alone in my 20s and reading books by a writer called Doris Lessing which made me realise I wasn't. It was about being awake at 4am and having no-one to talk to."[6][7]

In a 2014 interview with Dave Simpson of The Guardian on the effect of the song, James guitarist Larry Gott stated, "Sit Down is one of those songs that encourages people to put their arms around strangers. As soon as we launch into the opening bars, they start smiling. Then they turn to someone next to them or their girlfriend or boyfriend and hug them, and then they start singing every single word. As a musician, that's incredibly humbling."[8] The original cover depicts an image of the former Fulham goalkeeper Tony Macedo.[9]

Music videos

[edit]

The music video for the original 1989 Rough Trade release was directed by Ed Barton. It features Booth wearing a kaftan, against a white background, with the band performing the song. At one stage Booth hugs a sheep. The video was banned for two weeks by the Musicians Union as Jim Glennie took the role of a drummer, which the union felt displaced a professional musician.[10]

Another video was made for the 1991 re-release, which featured the band performing the song in front of a live audience.

Track listings

[edit]

1989 original release

[edit]
  1. "Sit Down" (7-inch and 8:31 extended version on 12-inch)
  2. "Goin' Away" (12-inch and CD)
  3. "Sound Investment" (12-inch and CD)
  4. "Sky Is Falling" (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)

1991 release

[edit]
  1. "Sit Down" (new version) (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)
  2. "Tonight" (12-inch and CD)
  3. "Sunday Morning" (Canadian CD)
  4. "Sit Down" (live at G-Mex) (7-inch, 12-inch and CD)

"Sit Down '98"

[edit]
  • CD1
  1. "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
  2. "Sit Down" (original)
  3. "China Girl" (Radio One Iggy Pop tribute)
  • CD2
  1. "Sit Down '98" (Apollo 440 remix)
  2. "What For" (Glr Session)
  3. "Sit Down" (Glr Session)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom Original 19 June 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
 Rough Trade [28][29]
26 June 1989 CD [30]
1991 version 18 March 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Fontana [31]
"Sit Down '98" 9 November 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [32]
[edit]

On 4 June 2017, Coldplay performed "Sit Down" at the One Love Manchester benefit concert for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, before performing their song "Fix You".[33][34]

Fans of Premier League club Liverpool rewrote the lyrics of this song in 2018 as a new terrace chant for 2017–18 Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah.[35] Booth thought the version was witty and welcomed its use for Salah.[36]

References

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  1. ^ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "1991: Time for the Mu Mu". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 637. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
  2. ^ a b "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 11 January 1992. p. 20.
  3. ^ "Ultravox's Vienna tops 'number two' poll". BBC News. 1 January 2013.
  4. ^ Roots, Kimberly (30 March 2017). "Game of Thrones: Watch the Haunting First Season 7 Teaser Trailer Now". TVLine. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  5. ^ James [@wearejames] (10 September 2019). "The song Sit Down wasn't written about Patti Smith but she & the writings of Doris Lessing made Tim feel less alone & crazy—the same as the song has made Kristin feel.
    Kristin is right: #YouAreNotAlone
    @kexp @realtimbooth"     (Tweet). Retrieved 28 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Sit Down by James". Songfacts.
  7. ^ Kemp, Sam (10 November 2022). "The song that makes Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders "feel sick"". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. ^ Simpson, Dave (12 May 2014). "Tim Booth and Larry Gott of James: how we made Sit Down". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  9. ^ @GraemeRMcNay (4 January 2019). "James - Sit Down (1989). Cover star is goalkeeper, Tony Macedo. (Fulham player during the 1950s-1960s)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Sit Down (1989)". One Of The Three. 19 June 1989.
  11. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  13. ^ "James – Sit Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 18. 4 May 1991. p. 25. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  15. ^ "James – Sit Down" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sit Down". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 20, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  18. ^ "James – Sit Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  20. ^ "James Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 48. 28 November 1998. p. 13.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  25. ^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  27. ^ "British single certifications – James – Sit Down". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Sit Down – Press Release" (Press release). United Kingdom: Rough Trade Records. June 1989.
  29. ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 17 June 1989. p. 35. Retrieved 13 July 2021 – via WorldRadioHistory.
  30. ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 24 June 1989. p. 39. Retrieved 11 July 2022 – via WorldRadioHistory.
  31. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 16 March 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 13 July 2021 – via WorldRadioHistory.
  32. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 7 November 1998. p. 33. Retrieved 13 July 2021 – via WorldRadioHistory.
  33. ^ James [@wearejames] (6 June 2017). "If you missed @coldplay's moving Sit Down intro at #OneLoveManchester–. Thanks lads, made us feel part of it 💗🐝" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Newman, Vicki (4 June 2017). "One Love Manchester viewers overcome with emotion as Coldplay give moving performance of Fix You". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  35. ^ Walsh, Kristian (24 April 2018). "Liverpool fans have brilliant Mohamed Salah song". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  36. ^ Shaw, Chris (25 May 2018). "Salah's Kop song gets official James seal of approval". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
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