Govinda (Kula Shaker song)

"Govinda" is a song by the British rock band Kula Shaker, released on their debut album, K,[1] on 16 September 1996. It was also issued as a single, on 11 November, and peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] "Govinda" is notable for its heavy Indian influences and includes tambura and tabla instrumentation. The song is also the only British top-ten hit to be sung entirely in Sanskrit.

"Govinda"
Single by Kula Shaker
from the album K
Released11 November 1996
GenreRaga rock
Length4:57
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Crispian Mills
Producer(s)John Leckie

Lead singer and guitarist Crispian Mills said that the song was born out of an improvisation and based on a Hindu prayer to Krishna. The words Govinda jaya jaya literally mean "Krishna (the Divine Cowherd), Glory, Glory". The text is taken from a Sanskrit devotional chant, titled "Govinda Jaya Jaya". The latter was previously recorded in 1970 by devotees from the London Radha Krishna Temple and released as the B-side of their single "Govinda" (a different song), produced by George Harrison.

Kula Shaker made a music video for the song, directed by Michael Geoghegan. The cover artwork for the single featured a Longines Conquest watch, with the band logo and song title in place of the Longines branding. An alternative version of the track, called "Govinda '97, Hari & ST. George", appeared on Kula Shaker's Summer Sun EP, released in July 1997.

The band's live versions of the song incorporate the Cream track "I Feel Free".

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kula Shaker K". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  2. "Kula Shaker". Official Charts. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
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