Joining Mario for this week`s "Story Behind The Song" was comedian Fred Cooke. Fred picked a Manchester or "Madchester" scene classic in "Sit Down" by the band James.

Originally released in 1989 by Rough Trade Records. The song's lyrics were written by the bands lead singer Tim booth as an homage to author Doris Lessing and singer Patti Smith in a difficult period of his life where he felt extreme loneliness and was suffering from an diagnosed illness.

The song was released 3 times over a 10 year period. The original 7-minute version was released in 1989 by Rough Trade Records. However the song stalled at #77 in the UK Chart. Over the next 2 years James became part of the thriving Madchester music scene, and a shortened version of this song regularly causing clubbers to sit down when it was played. The single was re-released this time on Fontana in 1991 when it became a hit.

To listen to the full chat hit the Listen button at the top of this page.