When this came out on some promotional CD called " Ein Abend in Wien" that I got back in I think 1991, I was living at my parents still and my mom hated my music all the time. :) Until I was just bumping this promo CD one night and she came up to me saying she loved this song at first listen. Unfortunately she passed away shortly after and now that I come across this song again I am writing this in 2021 with tears in my eyes! Great song! RIP mom, love you and miss you till this very day!
this is my favourite version of Sit Down. I was having a crap time towards the end of the 80's and this song as well asa 'Can't Be Sure' by the Sundays really helped turn me round. Thanks Tim
man's biggest weakness is not knowing what's going on in someone else's head. music is beautiful at portraying the human mind. that's what art is about.
I just love this. I always thought the 90s re-recording was too big and brash, although I’ll admit that at the time, I still ‘sat down’ occasionally on beer-soaked dancefloors when it was played and went home with a wet arse.
I'm torn between all 3 versions . Heard the updated version in a music store recently with my 10 year old and he loved it . We danced to it together , making memories , Thanks James. 🍀
Holy crap! I've never heard this version before. It's amazing. The later release certainly has more energy to it, but this 8 minute piano classic is incredible.
I can’t begrudge the more commercial re-recorded version because it introduced them to a much bigger audience and is probably the key reason they’re still around to this day (and just had their very first number one album).
Best version, period. That extended piano outro is magnificent. Too bad it can only be found on the original 1989 overexpensive cd single. Let's hope for a deluxe release for the album, or something like that.
I looked at a James forum yesterday (I was googling the "Lester Piggott" thing), and I found out that people actually complain if James doesn't play "Sit Down" at their concerts. Now, I'll admit that "Sit Down" is currently the only song I know that I know by James, but I still think that's a shame. Why would you go to a concert just to hear one song, even if it is your favorite? A concert is a good way to be exposed to songs you never thought about listening to, in my opinion try something new along with what you already know.
Those people probably aren't serious James fans. People who are genuinely into James are often more into their other stuff and also the fact they're still making new music today. Sit Down was a really big hit in the UK which is why a lot of people remember it. Now, if they didn't play 'Sometimes' near the end of every gig then I think a lot more genuine James fans might be more disappointed.
I actually heard one of their albums a few times before connecting them to "Laid" which I'd expect would be more of a fan-favorite. Eh it's all good, James is great!
I love James. I was just listening to their Living in Extraordinary Times album yesterday. But Sit Down is one of my all time favorite songs by anyone (even if I confess I prefer the Gold Mother version), so if I ever get to attend a James live show, I would be sad to not hear Sit Down.
Their worst song for me ( not this version !!) The commercialised version is a fashion thing (especially those of a southern ilk) who like to sit on the floor when they come to study in the best city on earth ( 😂😂😂). The ones that also love ' Blue Monday' (😂😂😂). Please research your bands before you make total t**'s of yourselves in front of the real thing!
For 20 years I've loved the appolo440 mix and sung along with it. Finally actually listened to the the words. Wow! Then I found this original version which is also great, thanks for putting it up.
If you watch the 1990 concert at the gmex Manchester they try and update this version ,its sit down new version but sounds like this with the extra lyrics... It's a must watch
I can still never understand why this version, which is brilliant, was virtually ignored, and the re-recorded, and shockingly badly produced mush that came out a few years later was hailed as a classic, and almost became a number 1 single. Ludicrous.
