About the song
Paul Revere & the Raiders, an American rock band known for their energetic performances and psychedelic sound, released “Indian Reservation” as a timeless anthem of teenage rebellion and cultural identity. This upbeat and catchy song, released in 1966, became a hit single and a defining track for the band’s iconic sound.
With their energetic vocals and driving rhythm, Paul Revere & the Raiders explore the themes of youth, rebellion, and the search for identity. Through introspective lyrics and the band’s lively performance, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
The opening lines, “I’m a lonely Indian, living on the reservation,” immediately establish the song’s subject and set a melancholic tone. The lyrics continue to explore the themes of isolation, loneliness, and the desire for freedom and acceptance. The song’s refrain, “Indian reservation, that’s where I belong,” conveys a sense of both pride and sadness.
Throughout the song, Paul Revere & the Raiders’ psychedelic sound creates a captivating and immersive listening experience. The band’s use of organ, guitar solos, and energetic vocals adds depth and complexity to the music, while also reflecting the spirit of the 1960s counterculture movement.
“Indian Reservation” is more than just a popular song; it is a cultural touchstone that has influenced countless artists and generations of music fans. The song’s introspective lyrics and energetic performance continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless and enduring piece of music history.
Video
Lyrics
They took the whole Cherokee nation
Put us on this reservation
Took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
Took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young
And all the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan
Cherokee people
Cherokee tribe
So proud to live
So proud to die
They took the whole Indian nation
Locked us on this reservation
Though I wear a shirt and tie
I’m still part redman deep inside
Cherokee people
Cherokee tribe
So proud to live
So proud to die
But maybe someday when they learn
Cherokee nation will return, will return
Will return, will return, will return