Friday August 14, 2020 “Running Bear” Johnny Preston

The Native American version of Romeo & Juliet on frivolous Friday.

 Although it borrows from the his star crossed lovers this number one song was not written by Shakespeare but rather JP Richardson, “The Big Bopper”, who would be a significant part of early rock & roll history as the singer songwriter of "Chantilly Lace" and as a passenger in the fateful crash that claimed his life, Buddy Holly’s and Richie Valens ("The Day the Music Died”).

 JP, a Texas disc jockey was a friend of then unknown local singer Johnny Preston and he offered him "Running Bear" which Preston recorded in 1959.  It would be an unlikely international number one record.  Preston would go on from that success to score a few additional singles and would occupy country charts for a while after that

 Many years later, the band Blue Swede also had a big hit with their cover version of BJ Thomas’ “Hooked on a Feeling” and they appropriated the “oooga chuggas” from “Running Bear” in their version's introduction.  Hope JP Richardson got some royalties.

 Stay safe and well...and a heads-up, "Running Bear" doesn’t end well for the lovers.

Someone spent way too much time putting the visuals together for this video

 On the banks of the river stood runnin' bear, young Indian brave

On the other side of the river stood his lovely Indian maid

Little white dove was-a her name, such a lovely sight to see

But their tribes fought with each other so their love could never be

 Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

 He couldn't swim the raging river 'cause the river was too wide

He couldn't reach little white dove, waiting on the other side

In the moonlight he could see her blowing kisses 'cross the waves

Her little heart was beating faster, waiting there for her brave

 Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

 Runnin' bear dove in the water, little white dove did the same

And they swam out to each other through the swirling stream they came

As their hands touched and their lips met, the ragin' river pulled them down

Now they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground

 Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky

Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die