About The Song
Billy Stewart’s “Sitting in the Park” is a soulful 1965 hit song about longing and patience. It was Stewart’s fourth and most successful entry on the soul chart in the United States. The single was also included in his 1965 album, “I Do Love You.”. The song gained popularity for its smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, peaking at number four on the US soul chart and number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s lyrics describe a person patiently waiting for their lover in a park, expressing feelings of vulnerability and desperation as they wait. The repetition of the lines “Sitting in the park, waiting for you” and “Sha-la-la-la” contribute to the song’s catchy melody. The melody was reminiscent of folk and blues tunes but with a distinct soulful twist.
Lyrics
[Intro]
Woo-hoo-hoo-ooh
Sitting in the park, waiting for you, hoo-hoo
Sha-la-la-la
[Verse 1]
Yes, I'm sitting right here
Waiting for you my, dear
Wondering if you ever gonna show up
(Sha-la-la-la)
I don't know if you're gonna show
My darling, I got to go
But nevertheless, I said
You got me waiting
[Chorus]
Sitting in the park waiting for you, hoo-hoo
Sha-la-la-la
[Verse 2]
Sitting here on the bench
With my back against the fence
Wondering if I have any sense, girl
(Sha-la-la-la)
Something tells me I'm a fool
To let you treat me so cruel
But nevertheless, I say again
You got me waiting
[Chorus]
Sitting in the park, waiting for you, hoo-hoo
[Bridge]
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why, oh why, oh why?
(Tell me why)
Won't you tell me why?
(I wanna know why)
Oh, my darling, I said right now, little girl
I wanna know why, why?
(Sha-la-la-la)
[Chorus]
Sitting in the park, waiting for you, hoo-hoo
Sha-la-la-la
[Verse 3]
Sitting here on the bench
With my back against the fence
Wondering if I have any sense
(Sha-la-la-la)
Something tells me I'm a fool
Let you treat me so cruel
Nevertheless, I said
You got me waiting
[Chorus]
Sitting in the park, waiting for you, hoo-hoo
[Outro]
(Sitting)
No, I'm not gonna wait
(In the park)
I am tired of waiting
(A fool)
No longer gonna wait, girl, any longer
(Sitting)
I'm tired of waiting
(In the park)
Oh Lord, I'm never gonna wait, no
No longer gonna wait, child, any longer
(Sitting)
My darling, I've gotta go
(In the park)
Even though I love you so
I'm not gonna wait, no, any longer
(Sitting in the park)