Christie - Yellow River (One Hit Wonder)

"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 Confederate soldier during the time of the United States Civil War 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 lyrics

So long boy you can take my place, got my papers I've got my pay

So pack my bags and I'll be on my way to yellow river

Put my guns down the war is won

Fill my glass high the time has come

I'm going back to the place that I love yellow river

Yellow river yellow river is in my mind and in my eyes

Yellow river yellow river is in my blood it's the place I love

Got no time for explanation got no time to lose

Tomorrow night you'll find me

Sleeping underneath the moon at yellow river

Cannon fire lingers in my mind I'm so glad that I'm still alive

And I've been gone for such a long time from yellow river

I remember the nights were cool I can still see the water pool

And I remember the girl that I knew from yellow river

Yellow river yellow river is in my mind and in my eyes

Yellow river yellow river is in my blood it's the place I love

Got no time for explanation got no time to lose

Tomorrow night you'll find me

Sleeping underneath the moon at yellow river

Yellow river yellow river is in my mind and in my eyes

Yellow river yellow river is in my blood it's the place I love