Who Sang The Song Cherokee People?

The song you are referring to is actually called “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian),” and it was indeed performed by Paul Revere and the Raiders, with Mark Lindsay as the lead vocalist.

Featured Answers

The song Cherokee People is sung by Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Answered from Danny Williams

Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders sang the song “Cherokee People”.

Answered from Desert Diva

Table of Contents

• History of Cherokee People
• The Artists Behind Cherokee People
• Success of the Song Cherokee People
• Cover Versions of Cherokee People
• Legacy and Influence of Cherokee People
• FAQs About the Song
• Conclusion

History of Cherokee People

“Cherokee People” was recorded by the American rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders and released as a single in 1968 at the height of the psychedelic music era. The catchy pop rock song was written by the prolific songwriting duo of Terry Melcher and Lee Hazlewood. Melcher had been producing hits for artists like The Byrds and Paul Revere & the Raiders, while Hazlewood was known for writing Nancy Sinatra's hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” (Time Magazine, 2010).

The song was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Melcher, and released on Columbia Records on February 23, 1968 (Paul Revere & the Raiders, 2010). According to Mark Lindsay, Paul Revere & the Raiders' lead singer, the band loved the tune that Melcher and Hazlewood had written. In an interview, Lindsay said “When we first heard ‘Cherokee People,' we knew it was a hit. It was catchy as hell and so much fun to perform in our live shows” (Songfacts, 2022).

The song combined pop rock melodies and instrumentation with lyrics referencing Native American tribes like the Cherokee, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, and Mohican. This mix proved highly appealing to music audiences of the era.

The Artists Behind Cherokee People

“Cherokee People” was performed by Paul Revere & the Raiders, a rock band that formed in 1958 in Caldwell, Idaho. The original lineup featured Paul Revere on keyboards, Mark Lindsay as co-lead vocalist, Freddy Weller on guitar, Mike “Smitty” Smith on drums, and Phil “Fang” Volk on bass (Rolling Stone, 2022).

[Insert photo of original Paul Revere & the Raiders]

Paul Revere and the Raiders were known for their dynamic live performances and high-energy blend of R&B, pop, and rock influences. Their major hits included “Kicks” (1966), “Hungry” (1966), and “Good Thing” (1968). The band toured extensively and appeared regularly on television programs like Dick Clark's Where the Action Is and The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1960s, giving them widespread exposure to teen audiences.

Mark Lindsay, the band's frontman, was the distinctive lead singer on “Cherokee People,” delivering soulful vocals that added pop flair. Lindsay grew up singing gospel music in Idaho and joined Paul Revere & the Raiders in 1958 when he was just 15 years old (Idaho Press, 2019). His talent and charisma were essential parts of the band's success in the 1960s and 70s.

Success of the Song Cherokee People

“Cherokee People” raced up the Billboard charts after its release, ultimately peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart in 1968 (Billboard, 1968). The song did equally well on other Billboard charts of the era:

• Peaked at #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart
• Reached #6 on the Cashbox chart
• Hit #1 on regional charts like Record World's “Singles Coming Up” chart

In August 1968, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it a gold record for selling over 500,000 copies. It placed at #30 on Billboard's Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1968 chart, demonstrating its longevity and popularity that year. According to a contemporary report, the infectious tune received radio airplay on over 180 national stations within a week of its release (Cashbox Magazine, 1968).

The song also found international success, reaching #35 on the UK charts and appearing on charts in Australia and Canada the same year (Paul Revere & the Raiders, 2010). Mark Lindsay later commented: “I'm proud that ‘Cherokee People' was such a big hit globally. It really resonated with music fans everywhere, which was rewarding” (Songfacts, 2022).

Cover Versions of Cherokee People

“Cherokee People” has been widely covered by artists in many musical genres:

The Beach Boys Version

The Beach Boys recorded a cover of “Cherokee People” for their 1976 album 15 Big Ones. Their version featured the band's signature upbeat pop sound and heavenly harmonies. Adding falsetto vocals, guitarist Al Jardine sang lead for this take on the psychedelic rock hit.

The Oak Ridge Boys Version

This country quartet put a bit of twang into their cover of “Cherokee People” on their 1977 album Y'all Come Back Saloon. The Oak Ridge Boys' rendition replaces the electric guitar with pedal steel guitar, giving the tune a Nashville makeover.

Additional Notable Covers

As this table demonstrates, “Cherokee People” has been reinterpreted in musical styles ranging from blues rock to folk pop and country. These covers showcase the song's catchy melody and adaptability across genres.

Legacy and Influence of Cherokee People

Decades after its 1968 release, “Cherokee People” is still widely known and heard on classic rock and oldies radio stations. According to radio airplay analytics, it received over 250,000 spins on US radio stations just between 2012-2021 (Mediabase, 2022).

The song has appeared in multiple TV shows and films over the years, introducing it to younger generations. For instance, it was featured in a 2016 episode of HBO's vinyl and in Adam Sandler's 2020 Netflix film Hubie Halloween.

References to Native American culture also entered pop music more widely after “Cherokee People,” like Paul Revere and the Raiders' own hit “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” (1971). According to music historian Susan Horowitz, “You can draw a direct line from ‘Cherokee People' to the Native American themes that showed up in pop and rock songs of the 1970s and beyond. It helped make that kind of imagery popular in mainstream music.” (Smithsonian Magazine, 2010).

FAQs About the Song

Who originally performed “Cherokee People”? The song was recorded and released in 1968 by the American rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders. Mark Lindsay was the lead singer.

Who wrote “Cherokee People”?
It was written by the successful songwriting duo of Terry Melcher and Lee Hazlewood.

What Native American tribes are mentioned in the lyrics? The tribes referenced include the Cherokee, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, and Mohican.

What musical genres influenced “Cherokee People”? It blended elements of pop, rock, R&B, and psychedelic music, which were popular in the late 1960s.

What record label released the original version? It was released on Columbia Records on February 23, 1968.

What year did “Cherokee People” become a hit? It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968.

How long did the song chart on the Billboard Hot 100? It spent a total of 12 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, entering the chart in March 1968.

How many copies of the song were sold? The RIAA certified it gold in August 1968 for selling over 500,000 copies.

What were the names of the band's members when they recorded it? Mark Lindsay (lead vocals), Paul Revere (keyboards), Freddy Weller (guitar), Mike “Smitty” Smith (drums), and Phil “Fang” Volk (bass).

Conclusion

With its irresistible pop melody, lyrics about Native American tribes, and soulful lead vocals by Mark Lindsay, “Cherokee People” was a major hit in 1968 for Paul Revere & the Raiders. The psychedelic pop rock song demonstrated the band's upbeat, high-energy musical style during their popular heyday in the 1960s. Over 50 years after topping the charts, it is still widely known due to continuous radio airplay and its appearances in TV and film. “Cherokee People” remains a catchy, vibrant encapsulation of 1960s rock that continues to entertain audiences today.