SIT DOWN
First released 1989
James most famous track, originally released on Rough Trade in 1989, reaching no 85 and seeing James being told by Geoff Travis, MD of the soon to be bankrupt label, that they were not a viable commercial proposition beyond an audience of 20,000. The opening piano intro to the 12" version was Mark's first recording with James.
It had been written at the time when the band were unable to release any material due to their Sire contract, from whom they held the song back, only airing it at shows in Autumn 1988 and on a Radio 1 Andy Kershaw session.
The song's lyrics are a thank you from Tim to two women who had profoundly influenced him - the author Doris Lessing and singer Patti Smith.
Two years later, Sit Down spent four weeks at no 2, kept off top spot by Chesney Hawkes "The One And Only". After the success of the Best Of, Sit Down was remixed by Apollo 440 and rereleased in November 1998, reaching number 7 (their biggest hit since the 1991 release).
Recently, the band had to sell the rights to the song to Mercury to help pay off the debt to the record company and they have started to drop the song from their setlists, so don’t expect them to finish the show with it every time.
There is also an awful out-of-tune cover by Voice of the Beehive on their Perfect Place single and Carter USM apparently played it at some shows in 1992 although no known recordings of this exist.
WHERE TO GET
Original 7" Version : Sit Down 7" (RT 225)
Original 12" Version : Sit Down 12" (RTT 225) , CDS (RTT 225CD)
Single / Album Version : Sit Down 7" (JIM 8), 7" poster pack (JIMP 8), CASS (JIMMC8), 12" (JIM 812), CDS (JIMCD 8)
Single /Album Version : Sit Down Canadian CDS (868 011 2)
Single / Album Version : Gold Mother re-release LP (846 189-1), CAS (846 189-4), CD (846 189-2)
Single / Album Version : Gold Mother re-issue CD (548 785-2)
Single / Album Version : James Japanese compilation CD (PHCR-1102)
Single / Album Version : The Best Of CAS (536 898-2), CD (536 898-4), 2CD (558 173-2)
Single / Album Version : James - The Collection CD (9824088)
Single / Album Version : Sit Down Apollo 440 Mix CASS (JIMMC 21), CDS1 (JIMCD 21), CDS promo (SIT 02)
Single / Album Version : Now And Then promo (JIMCJ1)
Single / Album Version : Take 7 Canadian promo (PCD 197)
Single / Album Version : Fresh As A Daisy - The Singles (1 disc version)
Single / Album Version : Fresh As A Daisy - The Singles (2 disc version)
Live At G-Mex : Sit Down 7" (JIM 8), 7" poster pack (JIMP 8), CASS (JIMMC8), 12" (JIM 812), CDS (JIMCD 8)
Live At G-Mex : Sit Down Canadian CDS (868 011 2)
Live At G-Mex : Born of Frustration US CD single (866 495-2), US CD promo (866 495-2A)
Live At G-Mex : Come Home The Live Video (083 092-3)
Live At G-Mex : Gold Mother re-issue CD (548 785-2)
Apollo 440 Remix : Sit Down Apollo 440 Mix CASS (JIMMC 21), CDS1 (JIMCD 21), CDS2 (JIMDD 21)
Apollo 440 Remix : Sit Down Apollo 440 Mix 12" promo (SIT 01), CDS promo (SIT 02)
Zidane Mix : Sit Down Apollo 440 Mix 12"promo (SIT 01), CDS promo (SIT 02)
Acoustic Version (GLR Session 6.3.98) : Sit Down Apollo 440 Mix CDS2 (JIMDD 21)
Live Version - Getting Away With It Live CD (SANDD119), VHS (0927451603), DVD (0927451602)
CHORDS
E, A, B
LYRICS
I sing myself to sleep
A song from the darkest hour
Secrets I can't keep
In sight of the day
Swing from high to deep
Extremes of sweet and sour
Hope that God exists
I hope I pray
Drawn by the undertow
My life is out of control
I believe this wave will bear my weight
So let it flow
Oh sit down, oh sit down, oh sit down
Sit down next to me
Sit down, down, down, down, down
In sympathy
Now I'm relieved to hear
That you've been to some far out places
It's hard to carry on
When you feel all alone
Now I've swung back down again
It's worse than it was before
If I hadn't seen such riches
I could live with being poor
Oh sit down, oh sit down, oh sit down
Sit down next to me
Sit down, down, down, down, down
In sympathy
Those who feel the breath of sadness
Sit down next to me
Those who find they're touched by madness
Sit down next to me
Those who find themselves ridiculous
Sit down next to me
In love, in fear, in hate, in tears
In love, in fear, in hate, in tears
In love, in fear, in hate, in tears
In love, in fear, in hate
Down
Down
Oh sit down, oh sit down, oh sit down
Sit down next to me
Sit down, down, down, down, down
In sympathy
Oh sit down, oh sit down, oh sit down
Sit down next to me
Sit down, down, down, down, down
In sympathy
Down