Sit Yourself Down
1971 single by Stephen Stills
"Sit Yourself Down"
Single by Stephen Stills
from the album Stephen Stills
B-side"We Are Not Helpless"
Released1971
GenreRock
Length2:40
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills singles chronology
"Love the One You're With"
(1970)		"Sit Yourself Down"
(1971)		"Change Partners"
(1971)

"Sit Yourself Down" is a song written by Stephen Stills that was released on his 1970 solo debut album Stephen 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

"Sit Yourself Down" has a gospel-based melody.[2][3] It was inspired by Stills' new relationship with Rita Coolidge, who also provided backup vocals on the song.[2] Five other backing vocalists were used on the bridge and refrain, including Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian and Cass 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 the lead guitar line plays off the melody, also capture Stills' conflict.[2]

Reception

Allmusic critic 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 the bridge and refrain to be "beguiling."[3] Allmusic's Bruce Eder praised the song's melody.[4] Billboard called 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 Box described 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 World called it "another fine selection from Stills' solo session that is sure to get heavy chart action."[8] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as Still's 4th best solo song, comparing it to his Crosby, Stills & Nash song "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 1976 compilation album Still Stills: The Best of Stephen Stills.[10]

Cover Versions

  • Genya Ravan covered the song on her 1972 album Genya Ravan with Baby.[11]
  • Rufus covered it in a medley with "Love the One You're With" on their 1973 debut album Rufus.[12]
  • Sha Na Na covered the song in concert.[13]
  • The Voices of East Harlem released a cover in 1971, as the b side of their "Oxford Town" single.

Chart History

Chart (1971)Peak
position
Canada 100 (RPM)[14]24
US Hot 100 (Billboard)[15]37
US Singles (Cash Box) [16]31
US Singles (Record World)[17]35

References

  1. ^ "Stephen Stills awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Browne, 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. ISBN 9780306819865.
  3. ^ a b c d e Greenwald, M. Sit Yourself Down. Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  4. ^ a b Eder, B. "Stephen Stills". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  5. ^ "Top 60 Pop Spotlight". Billboard Magazine. February 27, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  6. ^ "Top 60 Pop Spotlight". Billboard. May 29, 1971. p. 66. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  7. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 27, 1971. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  8. ^ "Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 27, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  9. ^ DeRiso, Nick (January 3, 2016). "Top 10 Stephen Stills Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  10. ^ "Still Stills: The Best of Stephen Stills". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  11. ^ Viglione, J. "Genya Ravan with Baby". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  12. ^ Henderson, A. "Rufus". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  13. ^ Garten, C. (August 21, 1971). "Talent in Action". Billboard Magazine. p. 18. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  14. ^ "RPM Top Singles Chart" (PDF). RPM. RPM archives. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. January 30, 1971. OCLC 352936026. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Stephen Stills Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  16. ^ "CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  17. ^ "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
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