Here are videos of one of my favorite songs - Yellow River by Christie. It's the last song I played as a college DJ in May 1970.
The song has an interesting history. Jeff Christie wrote it for The Tremeloes, Christie's drummer, Mike Blakely, was the brother of The Tremeloes' keyboardist and sometime leader, Alan Blakely. The Tremeloes recorded it but did not release it so Jeff Christie decided to release it, performing the lead vocal but keeping The Tremeloes' instrumental. So on the video below, you're hearing The Tremeloes backing Jeff Christie.
The record came out in 1970 and immediately became a favorite among Vietnam War soldiers and veterans.The words are below the videos - you can see why it became a favorite among warriors.Catchy melody, too.
Jeff Christie still performs, and the second video is a live version from 2007 in Antwerp. The very last video is a great cover by Elton John.
Enjoy!
So long boy you can take my place, got my papers I've got my pay
So pack my bags and I'll be on my way to Yellow River
Put my guns down the war is won
Fill my glass high the time has come
I'm going back to the place that I love Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my blood it's the place I love
Got no time for explanation got no time to lose
Tomorrow night you'll find me
Sleeping underneath the moon at Yellow River
Cannon fire lingers in my mind I'm so glad that I'm still alive
And I've been gone for such a long time from Yellow River
I remember the nights were cool I can still see the water pool
And I remember the girl that I knew from Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my blood it's the place I love
Got no time for explanation got no time to lose
Tomorrow night you'll find me
Sleeping underneath the moon at Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River is in my blood it's the place I love
--Jeff Christie
The album was great, too. "Inside Looking Out" was actually my favorite.
dw
Posted by: dw | Monday, 21 March 2011 at 07:13 PM