"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

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

  • Recorded between January and May 1996 at various 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. 1 2 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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