The most commonly played version of the song “Indian Reservation” is the version by Paul Revere and the Raiders.
But recently I also learned of two other versions. One is the version by Don Fardon, which I think is much more ominous sounding. I like the guitar intro, the bass and the brass section better in this one.
And then there’s Marvin Rainwater’s version, which is pretty drastically different from the others. This one, by the way, is the only one sung by an actual (part) Native American. Some of the lyrics are different. Also, the chorus is totally different. I think this is actually the original version.
Which do you prefer?
After hearing them, I vastly prefer Don Fardon’s version to Paul Revere. Rainwater’s is so different that it’s not really fair to compare, but I think it’s also better than Revere and the Raiders’.
I’ve never heard Rainwater’s version. Revere’s version (actually, it was Mark Lindsay’s work, but he let Revere release it under the Raiders’ name) is what happens when you try to do a pop version of a protest song. I’ll go with Fardon.
I liked Fardon’s version a lot when it was a hit in 1968. The Raiders’ version never did much for me. I had never heard the Marvin Rainwater version before, but it’s practically a different song. I still prefer Fardon.
It is a different song, kinda sorta.
John D. Loudermilk almost completely rewrote it in 1963 and it’s that version that became the rock hits. Here’s a page showing the differences in lyrics.
I prefer the Don Fardon version. To be honest, I thought everybody who knows there are two versions does. The Raiders were a fine band, but their protest hit was the brilliant “Kicks,” not this one.