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Indian Sunset
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Wikipedia article
"'Indian Sunset'" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was released on John's 1971 album 'Madman Across the Water'.
Background
The song chronicles the story of an unnamed American Indian warrior on the verge of defeat from the white man. Taupin was inspired to write the lyrics after visiting a Native American reservation. It contains numerous inaccuracies, most notably the line about Geronimo being shot by U.S soldiers. In reality, the Apache warrior died of pneumonia at the age of 79.
John told 'Rolling Stone' in 2011 that this is one of his favourites to play live: "I do 'Indian Sunset' with Ray Cooper. Nobody knows that song at all, it's an obscure track from 'Madman Across the Water', and it gets a standing ovation every night. It's a six-minute movie in a song."
Sampling
In 2004, the song was sampled in an Eminem-produced Tupac Shakur song entitled "Ghetto Gospel". It topped the charts in United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Scotland. It also become a Top Ten and Top 20 hit on some countries.
References
Category:1970s ballads
Category:Rock ballads
Category:Songs with music by Elton John
Category:Songs with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Indian Sunset
Category:1971 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Gus Dudgeon
Category:Songs about Native Americans
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