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(Top) 1 Background 2 Track listings 3 Credits and personnel 4 Charts 5 References

Govinda (Kula Shaker song)

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"Govinda"

SinglebyKula Shaker

from the album K

B-side

"Gokula"
"The Leek"
"Temple of Everlasting Light"

Released

11 November 1996^[1]

Recorded

January–May 1996

Studio

Various

Genre

Length

4:57

Label

Columbia

Songwriter(s)

Crispian Mills
Kula Shaker

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).^[4] Sung entirely in Sanskrit,^[5] 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[edit]

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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[edit]

UK CD1^[6]

"Govinda" (radio mix) – 3:46
"Gokula" – 2:56
"Hey Dude" (live at The Astoria) – 5:30
"The Leek" – 3:40

UK CD2^[7]

"Govinda, Hari & St. George" – 3:59
"Gokula" – 2:56
"Govinda" (Monkey Mafia Pigsy's vision) – 6:56
"Govinda" (Monkey Mafia Ten to Ten) – 4:31

UK 7-inch single^[8]

A1. "Govinda" (radio mix) – 3:46

B1. "Gokula" – 2:56

B2. "Temple of Everlasting Light" – 2:33

UK cassette single^[9]

A. "Govinda" (radio mix) – 3:46

B. "Gokula" – 2:56

European and Australian CD single^[10]

"Govinda" (radio mix)
"Gokula"
"Hey Dude" (live at The Astoria)
"Drop in the Ocean"
"Govinda" (Monkey Mafia Pigsy's vision)
"Govinda" (Monkey Mafia Ten to Ten)

Credits and personnel[edit]

Credits are taken from the UK CD1 liner notes and the K album booklet.^[6]^[11]

Studios

Recorded between January and May 1996 at various studios

Personnel

Kula Shaker – writing
- Crispian Mills – writing, vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, tambura
- Alonza Bevan – backing vocals, bass, piano
- Jay Darlington – organ, Mellotron, piano
- Paul Winterhart – drums
Gauri – backing vocals

Himangshu Goswami – tabla
John Leckie – production, mixing engineering
John Davis – mastering
Stylorouge – image creation and Graphic Precision
Trevor Rogers – photography
Zefa – photography

Charts[edit]

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[12]	32
Ireland (IRMA)^[13]	23
Scotland (OCC)^[14]	4
UK Singles (OCC)^[15]	7

References[edit]

^ "Reviews – Releases Out on November 11 1996: Singles". Music Week. 2 November 1996. p. 35.

^ "Wonderwall by Oasis Leads the UK's Official Top 50 Best-Selling Britpop Songs". Official Charts Company. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

^ "Kula Shaker al Teatro Comunale di Ferrara: una band in salute che ti riconcilia con il rock" (in Italian).

^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kula Shaker: K". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 March 2017.

^ Masterton, James (17 November 1996). "Week Ending November 23rd 1996". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

^ ^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)

^ 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)

^ 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)

^ 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)

^ 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)

^ 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)

^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 48. 30 November 1996. p. 13.

^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Govinda". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

v t e Kula Shaker
Crispian Mills Alonza Bevan Paul Winterhart Jay Darlington Harry Broadbent
Studio albums	K Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts Strangefolk Pilgrims Progress K 2.0 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs Natural Magick
Compilations	Kollected – The Best Of Tattva: The Very Best of Kula Shaker
Extended plays	Summer Sun E.P. Revenge of the King Freedom Lovin' People
Singles	"Grateful When You're Dead" "Tattva" "Hey Dude" "Govinda" "Hush" "Sound of Drums" "Shower Your Love"
Related articles	Discography

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