Paul Revere and the Raiders was one of the bands that helped define pop-rock in the 1960s. Its most noteworthy lineup is comprised of frontman Mark Lindsay, Paul Revere, Drake Levin, Jim Valley, Phil Volk, and Mike Smith. More than just a novelty act dressed in Revolutionary War outfits, the Raiders sent many hits flying up the charts and were mainstays on popular shows at the time, including Dick Clark’s Where the Action Is. Their legacy has endured over the course of six decades, as Quentin Tarantino included select Raiders’ songs in his Golden Globe Award-winning 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Always guaranteed to serve up a lively hit, we look at five of the Raiders’ best.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Kicks”
Co-written by the hit songwriting duo of husband-and-wife team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, “Kicks” is regarded as one of the first anti-drug songs of the 1960s. Paul Revere and the Raiders deliver the message through a catchy melody, ear-grabbing opening guitar riff, and Lindsay’s signature smoky voice. “Kicks” is a quintessential Paul Revere and the Raiders song that was a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”
No list of the best Raiders’ songs would be complete without “Indian Reservation.” Originally written by John D. Loudermilk and recorded by Marvin Rainwater, “Indian Reservation” started off as a fake story Loudermilk told about getting stranded in a blizzard, only to be saved by members of the Cherokee tribe, who asked him in return to write about the tribe’s devastating journey of the Trail of Tears.
Though the song is factually inaccurate and features many stereotypes about Native Americans, it still proved to be a hit. From the signature opening organ note to Lindsay’s brooding delivery, “Indian Reservation” is one of their best-produced songs. It’s a two-minute anthem that makes for the band’s signature track.
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3. “Hungry”
“Hungry” is another Paul Revere and the Raiders classic. With Mark Lindsay’s gravelly vocals taking the lead, he shows off his range and the unique styles in his voice. Also written by Mann and Weil, “Hungry” is packed with personality that makes it a standout in the band’s catalog.
4. “Just Like Me”
Mark Lindsay’s voice starts off understated in the first verse, building up to the chorus where he wails, It’s just like me / To feel so good / And fall so much / In love with you. Guitarist Drake Levin shreds on the song’s signature guitar riff making it one of the group’s best.
5. “Him or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?”
“Him or Me” is one of the Raiders’ more pop-leaning songs. Co-written by Mark Lindsay and hit producer Terry Melcher, the track is high energy from start to finish. It captures the fun spirit that’s a consistent theme in many of the Raiders’ songs, making for a solid ’60s pop-rock bop.
Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns
