Sitting in the Park (song) explained

Sitting in the Park
Type:	single
Artist:	Billy Stewart
Album:	I Do Love You
B-Side:	Once Again
Released:	June 1965
Genre:	Soul
Label:	Chess
Prev Title:	I Do Love You
Prev Year:	1965
Next Title:	How Nice It Is
Next Year:	1965

"Sitting in the Park" is a 1965 song written and performed by Billy Stewart. The single was Stewart's fourth and most successful entry on the soul chart in the United States. "Sitting in the Park" peaked at number four on the soul chart and number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100.^[1] The song was featured on his 1965 album, I Do Love You.^[2]

The song was arranged by Phil Wright.^[3]

Cover versions

• In 1966, Georgie Fame went to number twelve on UK charts with his version of the song.^[4]
• In 1969, Owen Gray and Maximum Breed released a version of the song as a single in the UK.^[5]
• In 1973, Keith Hampshire released a version of the song as a single in Germany.^[6]
• In 1973, Slim Smith released a version of the song on his album Memorial.^[7]
• In 1974, Mike Patto released a version of the song as a single in the UK.^[8]
• In 1976, Winston Francis released a version of the song as a single in the UK.^[9]
• In 1976, Dr Alimantado released a version of the song as a single in Jamaica.^[10]
• In 1980, Bobby Thurston recorded a cover that featured as the ‘B’ side of the single "Check Out The Groove", this version also featuring on his album You Got What It Takes.
• In 1980, GQ peaked at number nine on the soul chart with their version and number 101 on the pop chart.^{[11] [12]}
• In 1980, Bobby McClure released a version of the song as a single, but it did not chart.^[13]
• In 1981, Flo & Eddie released a version of the song on their album Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie.^[14]
• In 1986, Steve Beresford, John Zorn, Tonie Marshall, and David Toop released a version of the song on their album Deadly Weapons.^[15]
• In 1987 NRBQ released a live version on their album, God Bless Us All (Rounder Records)
• In 1997, The Zombies released a live version of the song on their album Zombie Heaven.^[16]
• In 2002, Quix*o*tic released a version of the song on their album Mortal Mirror.^[17]
• Jamaican singer, Alton Ellis covered the song in a reggae version, but it did not chart.^[18]

Sampled versions

• In 1992, Hi-C sampled the song on his song of the same title, from his album Skanless.^[19]
• In 1995, Slick Rick sampled the song on his song Sittin' in My Car, from his album Behind Bars.
• In 2015, Tomppabeats sampled the song in his song "Good Morning".
• In 2018, Lily Allen sampled the song in the introduction to her song "Cake", from her album No Shame.^[20]

Notes and References

1. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 551.

2. Web site: Billy Stewart, I Do Love You. . 1966 . November 26, 2016.
3. Web site: Billy Stewart, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 26, 2016.
4. Web site: Georgie Fame, "Sitting the Park" Chart Position. November 26, 2016.
5. Web site: Owen Gray, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. . December 1968 . November 27, 2016.
6. Web site: Keith Hampshire, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 26, 2016.
7. Web site: Slim Smith, Memorial. . 1973 . November 27, 2016.
8. Web site: Mike Patto, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 27, 2016.
9. Web site: Winston Francis, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 27, 2016.
10. Web site: Dr Alimantado, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 27, 2016.
11. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

    . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 233.

12. Review: GQ — Sitting in the Park. Billboard. 3 May 1980. 31 May 2020. 85. 18. 55. American Radio History. 0006-2510.
13. Web site: Bobby McClure, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 27, 2016.
14. Web site: Flo & Eddie, Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie. . 1997 . November 27, 2016.
15. Web site: Steve Beresford, John Zorn, Tonie Marshall, and David Toop, Deadly Weapons. . November 27, 2016.
16. Web site: The Zombies, Zombie Heaven. . 12 December 1997 . November 27, 2016.
17. Web site: Quix*o*tic, Mortal Mirror. . November 27, 2016.
18. Web site: Alton Ellis, "Sitting the Park" Single Release. November 27, 2016.
19. Web site: Hi-C Featuring Tony A – Sitting In The Park . . n.d. . Discogs . 21 February 2019.
20. Web site: Sample School: Billy Stewart . Greenberg, August . 26 November 2018 . WVAU . . 21 February 2019.