"Sitting Down Here" is a song written by Norwegian singer-songwriter Lene Marlin for her 1999 debut album, Playing My Game. The song is the album's opening track and was released as its second single in February 1999, peaking at number two on the Norwegian Singles Chart. It also peaked within the top 10 in Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Release and composition The single reached number two in Norway, number three in Italy, number four in Finland, New Zealand and Scotland, and number five in the Netherlands and the UK. The song also peaked at number six in Hungary and Ireland, number 12 in Denmark, and number 18 in Sweden. "Sitting Down Here" is composed in common time and has the standard verse-chorus form. Its instrumentation comes mainly from the guitar.Playing My game (CD liner notes). Virgin Records. April 1999.

Critical reception Can't Stop the Pop stated that Marlin's "ability to craft a track with so many layers and shades of grey was impressive and Sitting Down Here was the perfect showcase of that, at the very least." Håkon Moslet from Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet noted the song as "smooth [and] radio-friendly" in his review of Playing My Game. Geir Rakvaag from Dagsavisen wrote that the song, with "Unforgivable Sinner" and "Where I'm Headed" are the "most earcatching" songs of the album. Terje Carlsen from Fredrikstad Blad said it is "immaculate".

Pia M. Isaksen from Moss Dagblad was less enthustiastic, calling it "traditional folk" with a "nice" melody. Kjell Nordeng from Nordlands Framtid wrote in his review, that "Sitting Down Here" and "Unforgivable Sinner" are the "cream of the crop" of the album. Pop Rescue noted the song as a "gentle acoustic guitar meandering", adding that "this song is catchy, it feels summery and light. The guitars are delicate, and the bass line gently prods it along."

Track listings

Norwegian CD single (1999) "Sitting Down Here" – 3:55 "The Way We Are" (live acoustic version) – 4:50

European CD single (1999) "Sitting Down Here" – 3:55 "Playing My Game (acoustic version) – 3:27

Australian CD single (1999) "Sitting Down Here" – 3:55 "Playing My Game (acoustic version) – 3:27 "I Know" – 2:23

UK CD single (2000) "Sitting Down Here" (original version) – 3:55 "Sitting Down Here" (Tin Tin Out mix) – 3:53 "Playing My Game (acoustic version) – 3:27 "Sitting Down Here" (video) – 3:55

UK cassette single (2000) "Sitting Down Here" (original version) "Sitting Down Here" (Tin Tin Out mix) "Playing My Game" (acoustic version)

Personnel

Lead vocals: Lene Marlin Producers: Hans G, Jorn Dahl Audio mixing: Richard Lowe Guitar: Bernt Rune Stray Drums, programming: Jorn Dahl Audio mixing assistant: Dab Bierton

Charts

Weekly charts +Chart (1999–2000)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)54Denmark (IFPI)Danish Singles Chart. 22 October 1999.12Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)23Hungary (Mahasz)6 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)29Italy Airplay (Music & Media)2

Year-end charts +Chart (1999)PositionEuropean Radio Top 50 (Music & Media)62Europe Border Breakers (Music & Media)6Italy (Musica e dischi)20

+Chart (2000)PositionIreland (IRMA)70Italy (Musica e dischi)78Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)37Netherlands (Single Top 100)74New Zealand (RIANZ)6UK Singles (OCC)49

Certifications

Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Norway10 February 1999RadioVirgin22 February 1999CDEurope28 June 1999United Kingdom28 February 2000

References

External links Lene Marlin's Official Website