About The Song
“Sittin’ and Thinkin'” is a country-rockabilly single by American singer-songwriter Charlie Rich, released in October 1962 by Phillips International Records (catalog 3556), a subsidiary of Sun Records. Written solely by Rich, the track was recorded as a follow-up to his breakthrough hit “Lonely Weekends,” which had peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier that year. Clocking in at 2:30, the song features Rich’s baritone vocals over a mid-tempo arrangement blending Memphis rockabilly drive with early countrypolitan polish, marking one of his early forays into introspective balladry.
The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 98 in late October 1962 but quickly faded, stalling at No. 95 during the week of November 10, 1962, and spending only four weeks on the chart. It performed marginally better on the Billboard Country & Western chart, entering at No. 45 and peaking at No. 40 in December 1962, with a total chart run of six weeks. Cash Box listed it at No. 78 on its Top 100 pop chart. Despite the modest commercial showing, the song became a staple in Rich’s live sets throughout the 1960s and 1970s, often performed during his club residencies in the South.
Recording sessions took place on August 9, 1962, at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, produced by Bill Justis. Rich provided lead vocals and piano, backed by a tight rhythm section: drummer Morris “Tarp” Tarrant, bassist Jimmy Wilson, and guitarist Roland Janes delivering sharp riffs. The Anita Kerr Singers contributed subtle background harmonies on the chorus, adding a layer of sophistication unusual for Sun’s raw sound. The track was cut live to mono tape in two takes using Ampex equipment, with minimal overdubs to preserve its energetic, barroom feel. The B-side, “Midnight Blues,” another Rich original, did not chart independently but complemented the A-side’s themes of regret and reflection.
Phillips International, handling Sun’s non-rockabilly output since 1957, promoted the single through regional jukebox placements and radio plugs in the Midwest and South, where Rich had built a following from his Air Force band days. Initial pressings shipped approximately 50,000 copies, featuring the label’s distinctive red design. The release came amid Rich’s busy schedule, including performances on the Louisiana Hayride and Big D Jamboree, but label head Sam Phillips’ focus on Elvis Presley reissues limited national push. By early 1963, sales totaled under 100,000 units, contributing to Rich’s brief Sun tenure ending in 1963.
The song’s lyrics, drawn from Rich’s personal struggles with alcohol during his early career, address a man’s remorse after a drunken fight leads to jail time, pleading for his partner’s forgiveness. Experts like Peter Guralnick in “Feel Like Going Home” (1971) note its mature jazz-blues undertones, contrasting Sun’s typical teen-oriented fare. Structurally, it follows a verse-chorus-verse format in D major at 132 BPM, with a brief piano solo showcasing Rich’s chops. The mono master was later remastered for stereo compilations, enhancing the vocal clarity.
Though not a hit, “Sittin’ and Thinkin'” gained cult status through covers: Ray Price included a version on his 1963 Columbia album “Night Life,” peaking at No. 11 country; Bobby Bland recorded it for Duke in 1963, reaching No. 47 R&B. Other renditions include Johnnie Allan (1964, Ace) and Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys (2005). The track appeared on Rich’s 1963 Phillips LP “Charlie Rich Sings Country and Western Hits” (PLP-2004), which charted modestly at No. 25 country.
Reissues preserved the original on Rhino’s 1991 “The Sun Years 1958-1962,” Bear Family’s 2010 box set “The Ballads of Charlie Rich,” and Ace’s 2015 “The Complete Phillips International Singles.” The 1962 45 RPM pressing with picture sleeve (depicting Rich in a suit) is collectible, valued at $50–150 in near-mint condition due to its scarcity. During Rich’s 1970s superstardom, he often referenced the song in interviews as a personal favorite from his “hungry years,” highlighting its role in honing his songwriting craft before hits like “Behind Closed Doors.”
Video
Lyric
[Intro]
Please baby wait for me
Wait for me
Wait for me[Verse 1]
I got loaded last night on a bottle of gin
And I had a fight with my best girlfriend
But when I’m drinkin’, I am nobody’s friend
But please baby, wait for me until they let me out again[Verse 2]
I know the same thing has happened before
And every time it does, I hate it more and more
But when I’m drinkin’, I am nobody’s friend
So please baby, wait for me until they let me out again[Chorus]
I spent a whole lot of time sittin’ and thinkin’
Sittin’ and just thinkin’ ’bout you
Well if I didn’t spend so much time sittin’ and drinkin’
We’d still have a love that we once knew[Verse 3]
Oh, I won’t promise the same thing won’t happen again
But I can promise it’ll be a long, long time ’til then
‘Cause when I’m drinkin’, I am nobody’s friend
But, please baby, wait for me until they let me out again[Outro]
Please baby, wait for me until they let me out again
Please baby, wait for me until they let me out again