"Indian Sunset" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was released on John's 1971 album Madman Across the Water.
| "Indian Sunset" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Elton John | |
| from the album Madman Across the Water | |
| Released | 5 November 1971 |
| Recorded | 14 August 1971 at DJM Studios |
| Genre | |
| Length | 6:45 |
| Label | DJM |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon |
Background
editIt's a story, it's not a protest song, which many people think it seems to be.
— John before performing the song at BBC studios[1]
The song chronicles the story of an unnamed American Indian warrior on the verge of defeat from the white man.[2] Taupin was inspired to write the lyrics after seeing the Frederic Remington painting, "The Scout: Friends or Foes?".[citation needed] It contains numerous inaccuracies, most notably the line about Geronimo being shot by U.S soldiers. In reality, the Apache warrior died of pneumonia at the age of 79.[citation needed]
John told Rolling Stone in 2011 that this song was one of his favourites to play live: "I do 'Indian Sunset' with Ray Cooper. Nobody knows that song at all, it's an obscure track from Madman Across the Water, and it gets a standing ovation every night. It's a six-minute movie in a song."[3]
Sampling
editIn 2004, the song was sampled in an Eminem-produced Tupac Shakur song entitled "Ghetto Gospel". It topped the charts in United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Scotland. It also become a Top Ten and Top 20 hit on some countries.[4]
References
edit- ^ Philip Anness (4 January 2014). "Elton John – Indian Sunset (1971) Live at BBC Studios". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "The 10 best Elton John deep cuts". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ Scaggs, Austin (17 February 2011). "The Rolling Stone Interview: Elton John". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ Roxborough, Tim (28 June 2015). "10 Years On From 2Pac & Elton John's 'Ghetto Gospel' – The Genius of Eminem". Roxborough Report. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
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