+ scroll down for Yellow River by Autumn and Christie
Single:
Yellow River by Jigsaw entered the Australian singles chart* on 24 August 1970 and peaked at #5. The song was #38 on the Top 100 of 1970.
Jigsaw‘s was the most popular of three versions of Yellow River to chart in 1970. Sydney band Autumn reached #20 on the Australian singles chart* and the original version by UK band Christie, which had only limited airplay due to the 1970 radio ban, reached #16 (Autumn and Christie versions below). Other artists recording cover versions were as diverse as REM, Leapy Lee, Elton John, Middle of the Road, and Chris Rea.
Songwriter:
Jeff Christie
Producer:
Johnny Chester
Record label of Australian release:
Fable
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
BONUS VIDEOS BELOW – Versions by Australian band Autumn and British band Christie
Wikipedia:
Yellow River was originally released by the British band Christie.
The actual location of Yellow River in this song is not specified, although the author, Jeff Christie, is on record as saying that it was inspired by the idea of a soldier going home at the end of the American Civil War
Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_River_(song)
History of Australian Music 1960-2010:
Jigsaw became Johnny Chester’s backing band but had a few hits in their own right most notably with a cover of Christie’s Yellow River in 1970. The band was very popular on the Melbourne pub scene and in demand. One of the highlights of Jigsaw’s career occurred in October 1974 when they were chosen as one of the acts to play at the opening of the Sydney Opera House.
Read more: historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/jigsaw.html
Lyrics:
So long boy, you can take my place
Got my papers, I got my pay
So pack my bags, and I′ll be on my way
To Yellow River
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 70s
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
BONUS VIDEOS
Sydney band Autumn performed Yellow River on the ABC program Hit Scene in 1970. They were introduced by host Dick Williams:
Yellow River was written by Jeff Christie and originally recorded by his band Christie:
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