Top 5 - Best "Cherokee" Songs

It's time for another poll! These are my nominations for the best of the best songs that mention "Cherokee" in them. Some are fun, others sentimental, and others, inspirational. Listen to them and decide which you think is the best of the best and cast your vote at the bottom of the post.

5. Ballad of Will Rogers - Chris LeDoux

Reason -Just a fun little song about the famous Cherokee, Will Rogers.

4. Cherokee Fiddle - Johnny Lee

Reason - There were a lot of Cherokee men who played the fiddle, my own grandpa being one. Though a somewhat sad song, it does remind us Cherokees of those more recent generations of fiddlers in our families. It seems most of us know someone in our family, whether it was a grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, or other relation, who played the fiddle.

3. Tsa La Gi, We Are Many - Becky Hobbs
http://www.myspace.com/beckyhobbsmusic/music/albums/tsa-la-gi-we-are-many-17039585
(Click the link and then click the ">" beside the song to play it. I am sorry but Becky doesn't have a video for the song, but I didn't want to exclude it from the list because of that.)

Reason - A touching song that Becky sang at the inauguration of recently elected Principal Chief, Bill John Baker.

4. Cherokee Rose - Corey Smith

Reason - Give it a listen. I think you will figure out why it made the list.(Just a note - I don't like the video because of some of the stereotypical images and the fake "Iron Eyes Cody" that is in it, but it was about the only video I could find for the song. I do like the lyrics.)

1. Different People - Litefoot

Reason - I really, really LOVE this song. Not only is it sung by a Cherokee, it makes some good points. Litefoot has managed, in this song, to put into words, what so many of us have thought and felt for a long time.

Ok, those are my picks for the five best songs that mention "Cherokee" in them. Now it is your turn. Click below to cast your vote!

Which of these "Cherokee" songs do you think is best of the best?
	The Ballad of Will Rogers - Chris LeDoux
	Cherokee Fiddle - Johnny Lee
	Tsa La Gi, We Are Many - Becky Hobbs
	Cherokee Rose - Corey Smith
	Different People - Litefoot
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Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2011, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Top 5 - Worst "Cherokee" Songs

 5. Indian Reservation - Paul Revere and the Raiders

Reason - Historically inaccurate. The Cherokees never lived on a reservation. They lived in Cherokee Nation, a nation unto itself. Also, I am not fond of the line, "But maybe some day when they've learned, the Cherokee Nation will return." Return to what? We haven't gone anywhere.

4. Indian Outlaw - Tim McGraw

Reason - Stereotypical. Maybe Tim lives in wig wams or teepees, but the Cherokees never did. And, the last I heard of a Cherokee medicine man dragging someone around by their headband? Well, er, uh, never. The song is so full of stereotypes, it makes me wonder...is Tim getting even with the Cherokees for killing his ancestor, Isaac Chrisman?

3. Halfbreed - Cher

Reason - Oh my gourd! Where do I even start? First of all, Cher isn't Cherokee, but this song makes people think she is. And then "My life instead has been from man to man, but I can't run away from what I am. Halfbreed!" Ok, little lady. If your life has been from man to man, it isn't because you are mixed blood Cherokee! It's because you need to go put some dang clothes on! Now excuse me while I go change into my bejeweled bone halter top and stripper thong loin cloth and top it off with my floor length war bonnet! (wink)


2. Cherokee - Europe

Reason - It's just gross! Honestly, this video is just disgusting and gross. Spaghetti western images, a woman with paint on her face, and southwestern terrain.  Hmmm..........nope, nothing Cherokee about any of that. And, the line, "Cherokee, marching on the trail of tears......." over and over. Ugh..........

1. Cherokee Morning Song - Walela

Reason - Walela aren't Cherokee, nor is the song in Cherokee. This is just pure theft of culture and identity. Sorry to those of you who purchased their music believing this is real Cherokee music by real Cherokee women, but you got ripped off. Neither is true, yet because they misrepresent themselves and their music as such, they get my vote for the worst of the worst.

Ok, so you have it. My top five choices for worst song to mention Cherokee either in the title or words of the song. Now it is your turn to vote! Click below to vote for one of the songs above for the worst of the worst. I will run the poll for thirty days and then post the winner for our Readers Choice Award! Also feel free to leave a comment below telling me why you agree, disagree or if you think other songs should be added to the list and why.

Update - The poll has closed, but it was a very close race that ended up in a tie between Indian Outlaw (Tim McGraw) and Cherokee Morning Song (Walela) "winning" as worst song, each getting 30% of the vote. Coming in a close second was Halfbreed (Cher) with 27% of the vote.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

The Granddaughter

copyright 2011, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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