Saturday, November 6, 2021

"Wovoka" by Redbone

Redbone holds a unique position in rock history as a Native American/Chicano band. And while they are best known for their 1973 hit "Come and Get Your Love," Redbone performed several songs that touched upon Native American subjects. Among these songs is the title track to their fifth album Wovoka.

The subject of the song "Wovoka" is the Paiute holy man of the same name. Born around 1856, he founded the second Ghost Dance movement. Following the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, the Ghost Dance would decline in importance. Wovoka would remain an important leader in the Native American community until he died on September 20 1932.

"Wovoka" was the third single from the album Wovoka, following "We Were All at Wounded Knee" (unreleased in the United States) and "Come and Get Your Love." While "Come and Get Your Love" reached no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Wovoka" did not chart on the Hot 100, but reached 101 on the Bubbling Under chart.

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