Sit Down, I Think I Love You Explained

"Sit Down, I Think I Love You" is a 1966 song composed by American singer-songwriter Stephen Stills and originally recorded by American-Canadian rock band Buffalo Springfield. A cover version by The Mojo Men was released as a single in 1967 and reached the U.S. Top 40. Also that year, Australian band The Executives charted in their home country with their version of the song.

Buffalo Springfield version

Sit Down, I Think I Love You
Artist:Buffalo Springfield
Album:Buffalo Springfield
Released:December 5, 1966
Genre:
Length:2:32
Label:Atco

Stephen Stills wrote "Sit Down, I Think I Love You" as a fairly direct love song. It was written prior to the formation of Buffalo Springfield, when Stills had just settled in Los Angeles and had begun writing songs that he felt "were personal statements and had something to say." The song was included on Buffalo Springfield's eponymous debut album, but because Stills had sold the song's publishing rights, he never received any writer's royalties.[2] Allmusic's Matthew Greenwald said the song "showcases Stills' already refined pop moxie and melodic instinct, crossed with a strong folk flavoring."[3] Dave Swanson of Ultimate Classic Rock described it as "pristine folk-rock with a great garage band feel" and ranked it as the ninth best song by Buffalo Springfield.[4]

The Mojo Men version

Sit Down, I Think I Love You
Type:single
Artist:The Mojo Men
Released:1967
Genre:Baroque pop
Length:2:18
Label:Reprise

San Francisco-based group The Mojo Men released a cover version of "Sit Down, I Think I Love You" as a single in early 1967. Arranged by Van Dyke Parks, the song was the band's biggest hit in the United States, peaking at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[5] In Canada, it reached number 26 on RPM magazine's singles chart.[6] Greenwald said The Mojo Men's recording "transformed the song into a near-Mamas & Papas graft, complete with counterpoint vocals and a warm feeling. An odd and wide variety of instruments (from mandolins, Dobro, to multiple keyboards) add great texture to the melody, creating one of the great 'lost' masterpieces of the era." The song was included on the seminal 1972 garage rock compilation album.[7]

Chart performance

Chart (1967)Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart26
U.S. Billboard Hot 10036
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[8] 39

The Executives version

Australian pop group The Executives released their cover of "Sit Down, I Love You" as a single in 1967. It peaked at number 4 in Sydney, 13 in Brisbane, and 28 on the Go-Set national chart.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Moon, Tom. 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die. Buffalo Springfield - Retrospective. 28 August 2008. Workman Publishing Company. 9-780761-139638. 129–130.
  2. Book: Zimmer , Dave . Crosby, Stills & Nash: The Authorized Biography (The Definitive Inside Story of the Supergroup). Da Capo Press. New York. 2000. 30. 978-0306809743. registration.
  3. Web site: Greenwald. Matthew. 'Sit Down, I Think I Love You' Song Review. Allmusic. December 14, 2013.
  4. Web site: Swanson. Dave. Top 10 Buffalo Springfield Songs. Ultimate Classic Rock (Townsquare Media). February 26, 2013. December 14, 2013.
  5. Web site: The Mojo Men – 'Billboard' Singles. Allmusic. December 14, 2013.
  6. April 8, 1967. RPM 100 – Top Singles. RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd.. 7. 6. 0315-5994. July 15, 2017.
  7. Web site: O'Connor. Rob. 25 Garage Rock Heroes. Yahoo! Music. July 9, 2009. December 14, 2013.
  8. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 04/08/67. Cashbox Magazine, Inc.. December 14, 2013.
  9. Web site: Artists – The Executives. MilesAgo. December 14, 2013.
  10. Book: McIntyre , Iain . Tomorrow Is Today: Australia in the Psychedelic Era, 1966–1970. Wakefield Press. Kent Town. 2006. 52. 978-1862546974.