Yellow River (song)
Encyclopedia
"Yellow River" is a popular song recorded by the British band Christie
. Written by band leader Jeff Christie, the song was offered to The Tremeloes
, who recorded it with the intention of releasing it as a single early in 1970. However, after the success of their then most recent single, "Call Me Number One", and after considering it too pop-orientated for their future direction, they decided to follow it up with another of their own compositions, "By The Way", which was only a minor Top 40 success.
Producer Mike Smith therefore took their vocals off the recording and added those of Jeff Christie. Released on 23 April 1970, it became an international hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart
for one week in June 1970. In the US, it reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart.
The song is the thoughts of a young man whose time in the army is over, and he is looking forward to returning to his home town in the country on Yellow River. The actual location of Yellow River is not specified. The British video had the group on a barge sailing down the River Thames
through London.
"Yellow River" has spawned a host of cover versions by artists as diverse as R.E.M.
, Leapy Lee
, Elton John
, Middle of the Road, Tubeless Hearts and a French version "L'Amérique" by Joe Dassin
released at the same moment in May 1970?, as well as a Finnish version "Tuulensuojaan" by the eclipsed Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen. The Russian version "Толстый Карлсон" ("Fat Karlsson", after Astrid Lindgren
's children book) was recorded by the Soviet pop-group "Поющие Гитары" (Singing Guitars) in 1971. The Lithuanian Theater group "Keistuoliu Teatras
" (Weird Theater) recorded a version by the same name, in Lithuanian called "Geltona Upe". an Israeli version "Nahar Tzahov" was recorded by Danny Sanderson
& Shimi Tavori
.
In Australia, Christie's version of Yellow River gained only limited airplay due to the 1970 radio ban
. Local bands Jigsaw from Melbourne
and Autumn from Sydney
both had success with cover versions.
A Spanish adaptation was recorded by the Mexican group Banda Pachuco
, with the title "En mi mundo" (In my world), in 1996 for their album Lowrider.
In Brazil, it was made a version of the music. Yellow river became "E ela é horrível", translating: "And she is ugly".
Christie (band)
Christie were an English rock band formed at the end of the 1960s. They are best remembered for their UK chart-topping hit single, "Yellow River" released in 1970.-Career:...
. Written by band leader Jeff Christie, the song was offered to The Tremeloes
The Tremeloes
The Tremeloes are an English beat group founded in 1958 in Dagenham, Essex, and still active today.-Career:They formed as Brian Poole and the Tremoloes influenced by Buddy Holly and The Crickets...
, who recorded it with the intention of releasing it as a single early in 1970. However, after the success of their then most recent single, "Call Me Number One", and after considering it too pop-orientated for their future direction, they decided to follow it up with another of their own compositions, "By The Way", which was only a minor Top 40 success.
Producer Mike Smith therefore took their vocals off the recording and added those of Jeff Christie. Released on 23 April 1970, it became an international hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
for one week in June 1970. In the US, it reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart.
The song is the thoughts of a young man whose time in the army is over, and he is looking forward to returning to his home town in the country on Yellow River. The actual location of Yellow River is not specified. The British video had the group on a barge sailing down the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
through London.
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany | 2 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| The Netherlands Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
4 |
| Norway | 1 |
| Switzerland | 4 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
23 |
Other versions
The Tremeloes' version, featuring lead vocals by drummer Dave Munden, has also appeared on various compilations of their greatest hits, both in English and also in Spanish as "No Comprende", as it appeared as a single by them in Spain and in various South American countries, where they had always been popular."Yellow River" has spawned a host of cover versions by artists as diverse as R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Leapy Lee
Leapy Lee
Leapy Lee is an English singer, best known for his 1968 single "Little Arrows", which reached Number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and was a Top 40 country and pop hit in the United States.-Career:The song "Little Arrows", written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, was also...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Middle of the Road, Tubeless Hearts and a French version "L'Amérique" by Joe Dassin
Joe Dassin
Joseph Ira Dassin , more commonly known as Joe Dassin, was an American singer-songwriter best known for his French songs of the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
released at the same moment in May 1970?, as well as a Finnish version "Tuulensuojaan" by the eclipsed Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen. The Russian version "Толстый Карлсон" ("Fat Karlsson", after Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren , 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish author and screenwriter who is the world's 25th most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million copies worldwide...
's children book) was recorded by the Soviet pop-group "Поющие Гитары" (Singing Guitars) in 1971. The Lithuanian Theater group "Keistuoliu Teatras
Keistuolių Teatras
Keistuolių Teatras is a Lithuanian theatre troupe. It was founded in 1989 by actors Ilona Balsytė, Aidas Giniotis and Sigutis Jačėnas and theatre director Romualdas Vikšraitis...
" (Weird Theater) recorded a version by the same name, in Lithuanian called "Geltona Upe". an Israeli version "Nahar Tzahov" was recorded by Danny Sanderson
Danny Sanderson
Danny Sanderson is an Israeli musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist.-History:In 1972, after a short and unsuccessful bout in London, Sanderson returned to Israel and founded, along with friends Alon Oleartchik, Ephraim Shamir, Gidi Gov, Meir Feningstein and later on Yoni Rechter and Yizkhak...
& Shimi Tavori
Shimi Tavori
Shimi Tavori is an acclaimed Israeli singer. He performs in Hebrew and French.-Biography:Shimi Tavori was born to a Yemenite Jewish family in Ness Ziona, Israel....
.
In Australia, Christie's version of Yellow River gained only limited airplay due to the 1970 radio ban
1970 radio ban
The Australian 1970 Radio Ban or 1970 Record Ban was a "pay for play" dispute in the local music industry that lasted from May till October...
. Local bands Jigsaw from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Autumn from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
both had success with cover versions.
A Spanish adaptation was recorded by the Mexican group Banda Pachuco
Banda Pachuco
Banda Pachuco is a Mexican music group, formed in 1993.They reached number 5 in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks with their "Mitad Tu, Mitad Yo" song in 1995. They made a big hit in their album "Terco Corazon" released in 1998 welcoming a new singer Neo Serrato...
, with the title "En mi mundo" (In my world), in 1996 for their album Lowrider.
In Brazil, it was made a version of the music. Yellow river became "E ela é horrível", translating: "And she is ugly".