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Song Origin
Songwriter and
saxophonist Jim Pepper adapted the song "Witchi-Tai-To" from from an old peyote chant
that he learned from his Native American grandfather. Pepper's song was first recorded by his
band Everything Is Everything, who to this day are
credited with having the only hit to feature an
authentic Native American chant in the history of the Billboard pop charts.
The group's producers encouraged Pepper to express his Native American heritage
in his music, so he brought one of his grandfather's peyote chants and they
worked out the arrangement and English translation. "Witchi-Tai-To",
became a cult favorite and leftfield hit, reaching #69 on the Billboard Charts
in 1969.
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Brewer &
Shipley version
Brewer & Shipley learned the lyrics
to "Witchi-Tai-To" by
listening to Everything Is Everything's recording on an FM station beaming
out of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is ironic that they correctly interpreted
the Native American lyrics but misinterpreted the adapted English lyrics. Michael Brewer notes, "While we were traveling all over the
heartland late at night, that would be one of the only things we could get
on the radio. 'Witchi-Tai-To' was getting a lot of FM airplay, and we just
loved it, 'cause Tom and I have always been into Native American culture and
music. I'm from Oklahoma, so I grew up with it all around me. We learned it
off the radio, and sang phonetically. I think we got the Indian part right,
but I don't think we're singing the English right to this day." Brewer & Shipley's version of the
song got heavy FM airplay and in some circles is the more well known version.
But don't tell that to Jazz fans of the late great Jim Pepper.
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Everything Is Everything
Water spirit feelings
Springin' round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I'm not dead
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Brewer & Shipley
What a spirit spring
Is bringing round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I’m not dead
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~Witchi Tai To
extras~
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All Things Brewer &
Shipley
Witchi Tai To lyrics |
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