Running Bear

Johnny Preston

About Running Bear

"Running Bear" is a song written by Jiles Perry Richardson (a.k.a. The Big Bopper) and sung most famously by Johnny Preston in 1959. The 1959 recording featured background vocals by Richardson, George Jones, and the session's producer Bill Hall, who provided the "Indian chanting" of "uga-uga" during the three verses, as well as the "Indian war cries" at the start and end of the record. It was No. 1 for three weeks in January 1960 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song also reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1960. Coincidentally, "Running Bear" was immediately preceded in the Hot 100 No. 1 position by Marty Robbins' "El Paso", another song in which the protagonist dies. Billboard ranked "Running Bear" as the No. 4 song of 1960. Richardson was a friend of Preston and offered "Running Bear" to him after hearing him perform in a club. Preston recorded the song at the Gold Star Studios in Houston, Texas in 1958. The saxophone was played by Link Davis. Preston was signed to Mercury Records, and "Running Bear" was released in August 1959, seven months after Richardson's death in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens."Running Bear" was used in the 1994 movie A Simple Twist of Fate, which stars Steve Martin as Michael McCann, a fine furniture maker in rural Virginia, who adopts a little girl named Mathilda. There is a scene about midway through the movie where he plays "Running Bear" on the record player, and he and Mathilda are dancing to the song. The song appears on the soundtrack of 1975's Crazy Mama, and, as performed by Ray Gelato, is featured in the London night-club scene in the film Scandal, based on the Profumo affair. 


Year:
1998
17 

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On the banks of the river stood runnin' bear, young Indian brave
On the other side of the river stood his lovely Indian maid
Little white dove was-a her name, such a lovely sight to see
But their tribes fought with each other so their love could never be

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

He couldn't swim the raging river 'cause the river was too wide
He couldn't reach little white dove, waiting on the other side
In the moonlight he could see her blowing kisses 'cross the waves
Her little heart was beating faster, waiting there for her brave

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

Runnin' bear dove in the water, little white dove did the same
And they swam out to each other through the swirling stream they came
As their hands touched and their lips met, the ragin' river pulled them down
Now they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

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Johnny Preston

Johnny Preston (August 18, 1939 – March 4, 2011) was an American pop music singer, who was best known for his international number one hit in 1960, "Running Bear". more »

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Written by: J. P. RICHARDSON

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Running Bear" was originally written by songwriter J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who also gave the song to a young artist named Johnny Preston to originally record.
Music Genre
The song falls under the category of Teen Tragedy Song and Pop Ballad, encapsulating elements of both pastoral innocence and youthful love.
Themes
It tells the tragic story of two young Native American lovers from opposing tribes, Running Bear (a young warrior) and Little White Dove, who drowned while trying to be together.
Chart Status
Upon its release, "Running Bear" quickly climbed to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959, and retained that position for three weeks.
Language Twist
The song includes a unique twist with its chorus, which is sung in "Indian gibberish" supposed to represent Native American chanting.
Impact of "Running Bear
The song has had a lasting impact in popular culture and has been covered many times by various artists, including country music legend George Jones in 1969.
George Jones’ Version
George Jones’ version of the song was included in his album “George Jones Sings the Hits of His Country Cousins.”
Popularity
Despite being a cover, George Jones' version also enjoyed considerable success and was popular among his fan base.
Earning Accolades
The song is considered an important part of early rock and roll and country music history, and is still recognized as a classic today despite its controversial history.
Lasting Impact
Today, "Running Bear" is still being played and remembered as a major hit from the early days of rock 'n' roll music. It remains a classic tale of star-crossed lovers, shared and enjoyed by many music enthusiasts across the globe.

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    Running Bear

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1960

    Billboard #1


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