Sit Yourself Down
| "Sit Yourself Down" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyStephen Stills | ||||
| from the albumStephen Stills | ||||
| B-side | "We Are Not Helpless" | |||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 2:40 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Stephen Stills | |||
| Stephen Stillssingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Sit Yourself Down"is a song written byStephen Stillsthat was released on his 1970 solo debut albumStephen Stills.It was also released as the second single from the album, following the Top 20 hit "Love the One You're With."and reached the Top 40, peaking at #37.[1]
Music and lyrics
[edit]"Sit Yourself Down" has agospel-basedmelody.[2][3]It was inspired by Stills' new relationship withRita Coolidge,who also provided backup vocals on the song.[2]Five other backing vocalists were used on thebridgeandrefrain,includingGraham Nash,David Crosby,John SebastianandCass Elliott.[4][3]The refrain was propelled by Stills piano playing.[2][3]The lyrics discuss aging, maturing and settling down.[2][3]They capture Stills' conflict between wanting to push himself harder and wanting to find peace.[2]According to author David Browne, the music, and particularly the way thelead guitarline plays off the melody, also capture Stills' conflict.[2]
Reception
[edit]Allmusiccritic Matthew Greenwald called "Sit Yourself Down" "one of the more polished songs on the Stephen Stills solo album" and described the effect of the background singers combining with Stills on thebridgeandrefrainto be "beguiling."[3]Allmusic's Bruce Eder praised the song's melody.[4]Billboardcalled it a "steady rock ballad" that it expected to follow the chart success of "Love the One You're With," although the magazine later felt that Stills next single, "Change Partners" which ultimately missed the Top 40, had more "sales and chart potency."[5][6]Cash Boxdescribed the song as having less rhythmic edge than "Love the One You're With" but that it "offers a tastier sample of his vocal strength and chorale touches to heighten the song's impact."[7]Record Worldcalled it "another fine selection from Stills' solo session that is sure to get heavy chart action."[8]Ultimate Classic Rockcritic Nick DeRiso rated it as Still's 4th best solo song, comparing it to hisCrosby, Stills & Nashsong "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"for the way it moves between sections, and also praising his" stirringly complex guitar solo. "[9]
"Sit Yourself Down" was included on Stills 1976compilation albumStill Stills: The Best of Stephen Stills.[10]
Cover Versions
[edit]- Genya Ravancovered the song on her 1972 albumGenya Ravan with Baby.[11]
- Rufuscovered it in amedleywith "Love the One You're With" on their 1973 debut albumRufus.[12]
- Sha Na Nacovered the song in concert.[13]
- The Voices of East Harlemreleased a cover in 1971, as the b side of their "Oxford Town" single.
Chart History
[edit]| Chart (1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada 100 (RPM)[14] | 24 |
| USHot 100(Billboard)[15] | 37 |
| US Singles (Cash Box)[16] | 31 |
| US Singles (Record World)[17] | 35 |
References
[edit]- ^"Stephen Stills awards".Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^abcdefBrowne, D. (2011).Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Bittersweet Story Of 1970.Da Capo Press. pp.271,285.ISBN9780306819865.
- ^abcdeGreenwald, M.Sit Yourself Down.Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^abEder, B."Stephen Stills".Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^"Top 60 Pop Spotlight".Billboard Magazine.February 27, 1971. p. 45.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^"Top 60 Pop Spotlight".Billboard.May 29, 1971. p. 66.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^"CashBox Record Reviews"(PDF).Cash Box.February 27, 1971. p. 16.Retrieved2021-12-09.
- ^"Picks of the Week"(PDF).Record World.February 27, 1971. p. 1.Retrieved2023-04-22.
- ^DeRiso, Nick (January 3, 2016)."Top 10 Stephen Stills Songs".Ultimate Classic Rock.Retrieved2019-01-04.
- ^"Still Stills: The Best of Stephen Stills".Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^Viglione, J."Genya Ravan with Baby".Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^Henderson, A."Rufus".Allmusic.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^Garten, C. (August 21, 1971)."Talent in Action".Billboard Magazine.p. 18.Retrieved2014-10-19.
- ^ "RPMTop Singles Chart "(PDF).RPM.RPM archives.Ottawa:Library and Archives Canada.January 30, 1971.OCLC352936026.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^"Stephen Stills Chart History".Billboard.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^"CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996".worldradiohistory.com.Retrieved2020-10-25.
- ^"RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982".worldradiohistory.com.Retrieved2020-10-25.
