Indian Reservation
Don Fardon
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They took the whole Cherokee nation Put us on this reservation Took away our ways of life The tomahawk and the bow and knife Took away our native tongue And taught their English to our young And all the beads we made by hand Are nowadays made in Japan Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe So proud to live, so proud to die They took the whole Indian nation Locked us on this reservation Though I wear a shirt and tie I'm still part redman deep inside Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe So proud to live, so proud to die But maybe someday when they learn Cherokee nation will return, will return, will return, will return, will return.
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: JOHN LOUDERMILK, JOHN D LOUDERMILK
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
HISTORY"Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" was first recorded by Marvin Rainwater in 1959, and was titled "The Pale Faced Indian". Don Fardon's cover wasn't released until ten years later in 1968.
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ARTISTDon Fardon is an English pop singer known for his covers. The "Indian Reservation" song is one of his most significant hits.
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CHARTSFardon's version managed to hit number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970 - the same year it was officially released as a single.
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THEMEThe song is a protest song relating to the problems and experiences of Native Americans in the United States. It speaks especially to the tribe of Cherokee who were forcibly moved from their lands in the 19th century.
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REVIVALThe song was later covered by the band The Raiders in 1971 and, unlike Fardon's version, it reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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MUSIC VIDEODespite being released at a time when music videos weren't popular, a music video was made featuring Don Fardon singing the song surrounded by Native American imagery.
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CULTURAL IMPACTThe song remains quite popular and is frequently played on oldies radio stations, thus keeping the history of the Native American Cherokee tribe alive in popular culture.
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WRITERThe song was written by John D. Loudermilk, an American songwriter, and singer. He stated the song was inspired by the real suffering and historical injustices faced by Native Americans.
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LEGALITY ISSUESThere were some copyright issues around the song, as Fardon released his version before getting permission from the songwriter, John D. Loudermilk.
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AWARDSDespite the earlier controversy, Fardon's version of the song won an Ivan Novello Award for being among the 'Most Performed Works' of 1971.
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Genre Classification"Indian Reservation" is a song classified as Rock and Pop, with strong influences of Psychedelic Pop, which was a popular style in the era of its original release.
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Reflective LyricismThe lyrics of the song "Indian Reservation" reflect on the grave injustices suffered by the Native American populations as a result of European colonization.
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Original ReleaseThis song was initially released by Don Fardon in 1968.
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Chart Performance"Indian Reservation" proved to be very successful for Fardon – it reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.
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Musical ElementsThe song has distinctive musical elements that blend modern rock instruments with a Native American musical style, thereby creating a unique sound that complements its lyrical message.
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Song's Cover VersionsWhile Don Fardon's version is perhaps the most well-known, "Indian Reservation" was also covered by other artists, most notably by Paul Revere & the Raiders, whose version was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S in 1971.
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Song Origin"Indian Reservation" was originally written by songwriter John D. Loudermilk.
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LongevityDespite its somewhat controversial subject matter, the song remains popular today and is considered a classic of the late 1960s-early 1970s rock era.
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Music VideoThe music video of the song depicts Don Fardon wearing a Native American headdress.
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LegacyThe song is considered one of the earliest pop/rock songs to deliver a political message, in this case about the American government's poor treatment of native populations.
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Cultural Impact"Indian Reservation" has left a significant cultural impact, serving as a musical reminder of the struggles of the Native American community. It has sparked many conversations about the realities of cultural oppression.
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Citation
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