Sit Down
Encyclopedia
"Sit Down" is one of the most famous songs by James
, released in 1989 by Rough Trade Records
. In its seven-minute original form, the song only reached number 77 in the UK Singles Chart
. Due to this unimpressive performance their record label's managing director, Geoff Travis, told them they were not a viable commercial proposition beyond an audience of 20,000.
The song's lyrics were written in Autumn 1988 as a thank you to two women who greatly inspired Tim Booth
- author Doris Lessing
and singer Patti Smith
. After experiencing success as part of the Madchester
music scene, with a rerecorded version of the song regularly causing clubbers to sit down when it was played, the single was re-released in March 1991. It spent three weeks at number 2 in the Singles Chart; it was kept off the top spot by The One and Only
by Chesney Hawkes
. It was the 20th best-selling single of 1991 in the UK, one of the best performances of the year for a single which didn't reach number one.
After the release of their 'Best Of' album the song was remixed by Apollo 440
and released as a single for a third time in November 1998, reaching number 7 (their biggest hit since the 1991 release).
The band had to sell the rights to the song to Mercury Records
to help pay off debts to the record company. The song has been covered by Voice of the Beehive
and played live by Carter USM
in some 1992 shows, although no recorded version of this exists.
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 hand-signaled the audience to literally sit down. Although Booth did not perform the song during the show, he did sing it in an encore after the credits rolled.
B-Side: "Sound Investment"
CD2:
12" promo:
James (band)
James are a British rock band from Manchester, England. They formed in 1982 and were active throughout the 1980s, but most successful during the 1990s. Their hit singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", and "She's a Star" as well as their American College Radio hit "Laid"...
, released in 1989 by Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
. In its seven-minute original form, the song only reached number 77 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Due to this unimpressive performance their record label's managing director, Geoff Travis, told them they were not a viable commercial proposition beyond an audience of 20,000.
The song's lyrics were written in Autumn 1988 as a thank you to two women who greatly inspired Tim Booth
Tim Booth
Timothy John Booth is an English singer, dancer, and actor best known as the lead singer from the band James.-1980s:Booth was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England and attended Shrewsbury School...
- author Doris Lessing
Doris Lessing
Doris May Lessing CH is a British writer. Her novels include The Grass is Singing, The Golden Notebook, and five novels collectively known as Canopus in Argos....
and singer Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
. After experiencing success as part of the Madchester
Madchester
Madchester was a music scene that developed in Manchester, England, towards the end of the 1980s and into the early 1990s. The music that emerged from the scene mixed alternative rock, psychedelic rock and dance music...
music scene, with a rerecorded version of the song regularly causing clubbers to sit down when it was played, the single was re-released in March 1991. It spent three weeks at number 2 in the Singles Chart; it was kept off the top spot by The One and Only
The One and Only (song)
"The One and Only" is a popular song written by Nik Kershaw and recorded by the British singer Chesney Hawkes. Produced by Kershaw and Alan Shacklock, Hawkes's recording was featured in the film 1991 Buddy's Song which starred Hawkes as the eponymous Buddy and Roger Daltrey as his father...
by Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Lee Hawkes , is an English pop singer, songwriter, and occasional actor. He is best known for his 1991 single "The One and Only", which topped the charts in the UK and reached the Top 10 in the U.S.-Life and career:...
. It was the 20th best-selling single of 1991 in the UK, one of the best performances of the year for a single which didn't reach number one.
After the release of their 'Best Of' album the song was remixed by Apollo 440
Apollo 440
Apollo 440 are an English band formed in Liverpool in 1990. Apollo 440 have written, recorded and produced four albums, collaborated with and produced other artists, remixed as Apollo 440 and as ambient cinematic alter-ego Stealth Sonic Orchestra, and created music for film, television,...
and released as a single for a third time in November 1998, reaching number 7 (their biggest hit since the 1991 release).
The band had to sell the rights to the song to Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
to help pay off debts to the record company. The song has been covered by Voice of the Beehive
Voice of the Beehive
Voice of the Beehive is an Anglo-American alternative pop rock band formed in London in 1986 by Californian sisters Tracey Bryn and Melissa Brooke Belland, daughters of The Four Preps singer, Bruce Belland.- Career :...
and played live by Carter USM
Carter USM
Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine is a British indie rock band formed in 1988 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter. They made their name with a distinctive style of power pop, fusing samples, sequenced basses and drum machines with rock 'n' roll guitars and...
in some 1992 shows, although no recorded version of this exists.
In 2006, Sit Down was used as a featured song in BBC Three's Manchester Passion
Manchester Passion
The Manchester Passion is a passion play about the last hours of Jesus, retold using a backdrop of the contemporary music of Manchester.The event took place on the streets of Manchester, and aired live on BBC Three on Good Friday, 14 April 2006....
, in which lead singer Tim Booth
Tim Booth
Timothy John Booth is an English singer, dancer, and actor best known as the lead singer from the band James.-1980s:Booth was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England and attended Shrewsbury School...
also appeared as Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
. Darren Morfitt
Darren Morfitt
Darren Morfitt is an actor who has appeared in 55 Degrees North, Grafters, Red Cap, Warriors, Making Waves, The Government Inspector and the cult werewolf movie Dog Soldiers. Most recently he starred as Jesus in the Manchester Passion and in the science fiction action film Doomsday as Dr...
in the role of Jesus sang a less upbeat rendition of the piece to his resting disciples while the presenter hand-signaled the audience to literally sit down. Although Booth did not perform the song during the show, he did sing it in an encore after the credits rolled.
B-Side: "Sound Investment"
1989 original release
- Sit Down 7" or (8:31 extended version) on 12"
- Goin' Away (12" and cd)
- Sound Investment (12" and cd)
- Sky Is Falling (7", 12" and cd)
1991 re-release
- Sit Down (new version)
- Tonight (cd and 12")
- Sunday Morning (Canadian cd)
- Sit Down (live at G-Mex) (7", 12" and cd)
Sit Down '98
CD1:- Sit Down '98 (Apollo 440 remix)
- Sit Down (original)
- China Girl (Radio One Iggy Pop tribute)
CD2:
- Sit Down '98 (Apollo 440 remix)
- What For (Glr Session)
- Sit Down (Glr Session)
12" promo:
- Sit Down '98 (Apollo 440 Remix)
- Sit Down '98 (Oh Zidane Oh zidane)