"Govinda"
Single by Kula Shaker
from the album K
B-side
  • "Gokula"
  • "The Leek"
  • "Temple of Everlasting Light"
Released11 November 1996 (1996-11-11)[1]
RecordedJanuary–May 1996
StudioVarious
GenreBritpop[2]
Length4:57
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Leckie
Kula Shaker singles chronology
"Hey Dude"
(1996) 		"Govinda"
(1996) 		"Hush"
(1997)

"Govinda" is a song by British rock band Kula Shaker, released on their debut album, K (1996).[3] Sung entirely in Sanskrit,[4] the song includes Indian influences and tambura and tabla instrumentation. "Govinda" was issued as a single on 11 November 1996 and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

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.

Background

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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.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the UK CD1 liner notes and the K album booklet.[5][10]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 32
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 23
Scotland (OCC)[13] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 7

References

  1. ^ "Reviews – Releases Out on November 11 1996: Singles". Music Week. 2 November 1996. p. 35.
  2. ^ "Wonderwall by Oasis Leads the UK's Official Top 50 Best-Selling Britpop Songs". Official Charts Company. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kula Shaker: K". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. ^ Masterton, James (17 November 1996). "Week Ending November 23rd 1996". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b Govinda (UK CD1 disc notes). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. KULA CD5.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Govinda (UK CD2 disc notes). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. KULA CD5K.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Govinda (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. KULA 75.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Govinda (UK cassette single sleeve). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. KULA MC 5.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Govinda (European & Australian CD single liner notes). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. 664 129-2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ K (UK CD album booklet). Kula Shaker. Columbia Records. 1996. SHAKER 1CD.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 48. 30 November 1996. p. 13.
  12. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Govinda". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
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