Sitting in the Park (song)

"Sitting in the Park"
Single by Billy Stewart
from the album I Do Love You
B-side	"Once Again"
Released	June 1965
Genre	Soul
Length	3:05
Label	Chess
Songwriter(s)	Billy Stewart
Billy Stewart singles chronology
"I Do Love You" (1965) "Sitting in the Park" (1965) "How Nice It Is" (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][5]
• In 1969, Owen Gray and Maximum Breed released a version of the song as a single in the UK.[6]
• In 1973, Keith Hampshire released a version of the song as a single in Germany.[7]
• In 1973, Slim Smith released a version of the song on his album Memorial.[8]
• In 1974, Mike Patto released a version of the song as a single in the UK.[9]
• In 1976, Winston Francis released a version of the song as a single in the UK.[10]
• In 1976, Dr Alimantado released a version of the song as a single in Jamaica.[11]
• 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.[12][13]
• In 1980, Bobby McClure released a version of the song as a single, but it did not chart.[14]
• In 1981, Flo & Eddie released a version of the song on their album Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie.[15]
• In 1986, Steve Beresford, John Zorn, Tonie Marshall, and David Toop released a version of the song on their album Deadly Weapons.[16]
• 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.[17]
• In 2002, Quix*o*tic released a version of the song on their album Mortal Mirror.[18]
• Jamaican singer, Alton Ellis covered the song in a reggae version, but it did not chart.[19]

Sampled versions

• In 1992, Hi-C sampled the song on his song of the same title, from his album Skanless.[20][21]
• In 1995, Slick Rick sampled the song on his song Sittin' in My Car, from his album Behind Bars.[21]
• 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.[21]

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 551.
2. "Billy Stewart, I Do Love You". Discogs. 1966. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
3. "Billy Stewart, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 26, 2016.
4. "Georgie Fame, "Sitting the Park" Chart Position". Retrieved November 26, 2016.
5. Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park on YouTube
6. "Owen Gray, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Discogs. December 1968. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
7. "Keith Hampshire, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 26, 2016.
8. "Slim Smith, Memorial". Discogs. 1973. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
9. "Mike Patto, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
10. "Winston Francis, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
11. "Dr Alimantado, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
12. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 233.
13. "Review: GQ — Sitting in the Park" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 18. 3 May 1980. p. 55. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 31 May 2020 – via American Radio History.
14. "Bobby McClure, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
15. "Flo & Eddie, Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie". Discogs. 1997. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
16. "Steve Beresford, John Zorn, Tonie Marshall, and David Toop, Deadly Weapons". AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
17. "The Zombies, Zombie Heaven". Discogs. 12 December 1997. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
18. "Quix*o*tic, Mortal Mirror". Discogs. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
19. "Alton Ellis, "Sitting the Park" Single Release". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
20. "Hi-C Featuring Tony A – Sitting In The Park". Discogs. n.d. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
21. Greenberg, August (26 November 2018). "Sample School: Billy Stewart". WVAU. American University. Retrieved 21 February 2019.