THE GREATEST OF ALL TUNES (G.O.A.T.) is a series of posts, producing my 100 favorite songs of all time. The master list is here, and I update it about every two weeks or when I have another 10 songs or so. Today, I’m doing a whole bunch of GOATs all in a row. A bunch of posts, a bunch of cover versions!
Redbone were a Native American brother-band (Pat and Lolly Vegas), were the first Native American band to have a #1 hit. Other than “Come and Get Your Love,” they had a couple other minor hits that aren’t really remembered—maybe because several told Native American/Creole stories that aren’t whiteman friendly. People were tolerant in the 1970s, but only to a point, I guess. “We were all wounded by Wounded Knee” hit #1 in Europe, but didn’t even hit the U.S. charts, where it was banned because it’s lyrics were deemed too controversial for mainstream radio.
Most people know this song as the opening cut from Guardians to the Galaxy, in one of the best title sequences in movie history. The song was perfect for Chris Pratt’s disrespect-the-alien-indigenous-life dance, not because of the bands’ own heritage but because of the distinctive, almost alien blend of rhythm and chanting. If you can find it, check out the extended version, which has a sitar solo. Very cool.
Further listening: Like I said, they had other hits, but this one is the only one that’s truly a stand-against-time great song.
Covers:
