Soldier Blue

Album: Soldier Blue (1970)
Charted: 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by folk icon Buffy Sainte-Marie, this is the theme song to the 1970 movie Soldier Blue, which depicts the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre - a brutal attack on the Cheyenne and Arapaho village by the Colorado State Militia. Ever hear of the movie? If you're from the US, probably not – and there's a reason for that. "No one knows Soldier Blue in North America. I can guarantee you won't find three people in the US who know it. It was taken out of the theaters after a few days," Sainte-Marie told The Guardian. "Why? What year did Soldier Blue come out? 1970? Oh, that'll be Richard Nixon."
  • Despite the atrocities committed by the government against her people, the Cree singer expresses love for her country – on a sacred level. She explained on her website: "As there's a difference between love and rape, the same differences exist in how one views their country. 'Soldier Blue' is not about loving one's 'nation state.' It's about loving the natural environment in which all nations are related as children of the Sacred."
  • This was included on her 1971 album She Used To Wanna Be A Ballerina.

Comments: 1

  • Lino Franich from Perth, Western AustraliaI saw the film, Soldier Blue, when I was about 13 and I've remembered it ever since. The final scene, the song...just devastating. I'm now 56.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.