Johnny Preston "Running Bear"

Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show. December 12, 1959. A fun favorite. Re-posted by request.

[@alicemuldoon2294]

As a Native American I am not offended by this song at all. Its been stuck in my head for a week now.

[@shannongs1526]

😂😂😂

[@scottaracely]

Glad I’m not the only one who gets earworms 😂

[@lynnmurphy1043]

I'm American Indian too, and my uncles sang and played this song for me at my request. One of my favorite songs along with kawlija and Strawberry roan. I miss my Uncles and am not offended when Indians are featured.❤

[@jaikobie1353]

@@lynnmurphy1043I don’t understand how someone COULD be offended over a man singing about native Indians in a time where people of darker skin where purposefully bashed and hidden in media to promote certain stigma and distain for those people of both different colour and culture

[@anitamerrill8131]

I loved this song. Dad would sing it to us girls.

[@liemsk]

I am chinese, though people around me does not understand why I was attracted to these tunes, listening to these U.S. oldies is giving me such a blessed feelings and I absolutely love them.

[@lincrompton5241]

I couldn't agree more

[@frankcerra7339]

Loved this in the 60's. Too bad it could never be done today. Too much misplaced outrage.

[@RiosChavez-qz2yr]

And now your attacking us

[@Irishcloth]

Such a positive, mellow but upbeat song :)

[@dyslexicbatnam1350]

@@RiosChavez-qz2yr Chill, we're just rivals at this point. Competitions good, it built this country

[@ReeltoRealAP]

Johnny Preston is incredibly underrated. His voice is so smooth, he can croon, rock n roll, do almost anything. The man is, if nothing else, versatile

[@mervyngilbert1578]

Running Bear was a song I loved 50 years ago. I have just danced to it again at my bowls club dance at the age of 79. The words, music and beat are infectious. Mervyn Gilbert

[@mimilion6072]

My Grandma, who brought me up, used to sing this to me at bed time. I had lots of songs, at bed time. Wish I had recorded her singing this herself. It was Magical to me as a child and still is. Can't wait to be in my Yaya's arms again.

[@FrugalFarmerChannel]

Thank you for sharing. You put a smile on my face.

[@pragmaticlady4572]

I remember that my Dad loved this song back in '59 when I was six.

[@slime18466]

​@@pragmaticlady4572 i SAID STOP.

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP SAYING THAT FOR

[@blondeblue156]

What are you yelling at her for? To stop what? I missed something here....

[@JLoy6162]

This was my parents song. They were married almost 60 years. Both have now passed on as of this morning they are together again. ❤

[@Xdmuffin687]

thats so sad😪

[@Xdmuffin687]

back in the day was johnny prestons manager

[@gw7157]

Beautiful life's for beautiful people. ❤️❤️

[@SongsandSmiles]

Amazing Song :) They are still listening on Heavens sweet beaches

[@Coffeeman673]

Sorry for your loss

[@cathietidmore9999]

Still listening to this #2024 ❤❤❤

[@ScherryWilliams]

My husband used to sing this song all the time and he and I were part Indian. I'm 72 years old now and my husband has passed away 9 years ago.😢❤ 🌈🇺🇸🎁🎇🎆⭐🌟🌌🌍☔💯🔥👍🏻🌙💫✨😎🥰🎵🎶🔥💯💅🏽💯🎉🖤🤎💜💙💚💦❤️🧡💛💖💝💘🤍

[@jacksonfamilyaccount7768]

JP Richardson was a legend. Nobody wrote tunes as catchy and as fun as he did.

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

he was raised in a little town on the texas gulf coast area. the only history was it had that i am aware of is a civil war battle on the intracoastal waterway. here dick dowling commanded a makeshift fort that sunk 2 or more yankee gunboats as they came up the river from the gulf of mexico. but to talk about that now would just be called racism......right?

[@TomClarkSouthLondon]

Big Bopper . . . . . totally overlooked and underrated'

[@suecox907]

I don't think this is the Big Bopper

[@robertlisternicholls]

I keep playing this over and over again. It's so sad yet incredibly catchy. Wonderful.

[@Den-lh6sc]

Know what you mean

[@anitamerrill8131]

True love, so uncommon now.

[@jackowens7665]

One of the most beautiful and saddest songs ever. My all time favorite. Takes me back to high school.

[@victorjeffers1993]

Always loved this song from a young boy which I'm now in my late 50s an still love hearing Johnny sing it ! R.I.P Johnny 👍👍

[@juanbaez2561]

EN LA PARTE MAS ALTA DEL CUADRANTE DE SU RADIIO . RADIO UNIVERSAL CON ADOLFO FERNANDEZ ZEPEDA CIUDAD DE MEXICO 1979..

[@danielamicallef9592]

No wonder he was such a success, a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song.

[@christieivey1311]

I grew up listening to Running Bear

[@julianmoody9768]

The old tunes are the best tunes

[@Bluzian74]

I'm 47, loved this song since I was born, but NEVER realized it was written by The Big Bopper! Wow! The things you learn.... haha Peace and Love everyone. Namaste.

[@Rich-yj4ub]

When Music was Music & Singers were singers.😢 I miss those days. Welp! Onto The Bird 🐦 is the Word. 😂 Then La Bomba & then big bopper. 👍

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP!

[@shannongs1526]

How sweet ❤

[@Rich-yj4ub]

@@shannongs1526 Thank you! 💞🥰

[@quyennotman1264]

my husband introduced me this song, and now it's our favorite song. I love this love story ❤

[@patriciamoore6790]

This was my father's favourite song. It's the first time ever that I've seen it live. Great memories.

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP.

[@unclebillmusic]

I was 10 years old and I was having diner at a friends house. We were all eating and the tv was on. I was the only one who heard the show come on. I told them all "he's on the show singing this right now". They all BOLTED from the table to watch this ! Thank You for this WONDERFUL MEMORY.

[@jamesderbaum9678]

Its nice you remembered exactly what you were doing then. Very cool. Good times!! Take care...

[@fordmustang3265]

Thank God we have better entertainment today..... boring

[@unclebillmusic]

@@fordmustang3265 WHAT ??? YOU MUST BE A 16 YEAR OLD GRUNGE FREAK !!! TOO BAD FOR YOU !!! YOU MIGHT GROW UP SOMEDAY - MAYBE !!!

[@MarkBBlue]

Why didn't you hit the pause button?

[@jamesderbaum9678]

@@MarkBBlue hey Mark, my name is Randy , born in 1961. I remember we only had 2 TV stations, CBS and NBC , no AC just a floor fan. Things sure have changed. Have a good one.

[@guyfuret6358]

J.P Richardson (Big Bopper) was quite the song writer. He wrote Chantilly Lace which was a big hit for himself. He wrote Running Bear for Johnny Preston which was a number #1 hit and White Lightning which was #1 for George Jones. He was a real talent that left us too soon

[@stevenbaer5999]

I didn't know that the Big Bopper was actually wrote it down for Jonny Preston. It is actually a great song.

[@bhollyfanhardin9627]

he also wrote ''Beggar to a king'' which was a number 5 country hit for Hank Snow..........

[@davidwesson9277]

You can clearly hear the Big Bopper and George Jones doing the background music

[@kimchalifoux5070]

My mom used to play the piano and I would always ask her to play this song... I always loved it!! ❤

[@MagicGary1960]

Running Bear Written by the late great J.P Richardson AKA The Big Bopper he was also doing the Indian chant on Running Bear.

[@MagicGary1960]

The Big Bopper and George Jones were the ones doing the Indian chant pretty cool stuff.

[@MrStreetwalkincheeta]

+Gary VanDecar Knew about BB but not George Jones! Class!

[@MagicGary1960]

MrStreetwalkincheeta Yeah i knew about BB as well then someone mentioned George Jones as well i looked it up and they were right both BB and George Jones did the Indian chant.

[@GUNSHIPFLEX]

Gary VanDecar didn't know that.. good stuff

[@countryrockstar2008]

I just recently found out about Big Bopper doing the chant but now that I know that it's like "How did I NOT notice that before now?!" I didn't know about George Jones also being in the chant tho!

[@olivepoola9153]

This is one of my favorite songs!! I'd listen to it on my mom's record and play it like 10 x's in a row!!

[@eugenewilson1685]

WOW ! I Luv this song ! Makes me very humble and proud of myself and the FIRST NATION people of this Country. Luv it

[@LindaAllen2129]

My husband and I would sing this song on our dates. Fifty three years ago. Somehow we found that we both liked it and knew all the words.

[@SandmansDelight]

I remember Running Bear so well. I used to go roller skating a lot in those days (mid-60s). The rink that I went to had a live organist. She always played it at the end of the night. If you didn't know how to skate too well, you stayed off of the floor. As she played, she kept getting faster & faster. It was a lot of fun.

[@rpgreseller]

That sounds like SO much fun. I can't imagine having live music at a rink.

[@annimerethenilsen8888]

This is one of the best oldies i have heArd in 60years !yes it is thrue, this can happen also today! this is a thrue love story!

[@virginiaswafford7078]

The best times ever.i grew up on this music. Thanks to the great Dick Clark for having these artists on American Bandstand in the 50s and 60s.i still listen to this even today.kids nowadays cant tell you anything about music.sad

[@lindajohnson8512]

It's been a long time since hearing this song! Love it!

[@joevanaman9597]

Great song ,great lyrics and a great man Johnny.. Loved it and still do. Thanks!!❤

[@Den-lh6sc]

Me also Great song

[@susanhubbart5494]

Love this song, my mom would sing it all the time

[@roycefinley3313]

I am 62. This was "Our Song". In my heart, it still is "Our Song"

[@iriegnome]

I love this tune. I still have my original 45 rpm record. As I am watching the video, Johnny is snapping his fingers off time!!

[@kathleenmarks7596]

That's because the audio and the video aren't synced.

[@pmajudge]

OOOOHHH!! I REMEMBER THIS NEAT SONG WHEN I WS CHILD GROWING UP IN THE 1950'S!!!!!!!!!!LOVELY SONG AND GOOD STORY TOO!!AND SAD TOO- AAAAHH!!THANKS FROM(U.K.).

[@hinduwarrior123]

This was a very beautiful song!❤

[@solarpurplestarlight]

I remember my mom and dad playing this song when I was little. Every time I heard this song, I would cry (and still do). It is one of the most romantic and saddest songs, ever. To watch these kids, here, on this video, it was just another song, but, for me, I could picture the whole story in my mind. Thanks for posting this huge memory inducing song! =)

[@nathanburbridge4846]

solarpurplestarlight I am similar. The first song I heard as I kid where I realised it was a story and had a message. This was played a lot by my parents. It was their song. I was a 70s kid so before my time but nevertheless; very fond of this song.

[@amyknarr2270]

me too :D

[@annimerethenilsen8888]

@@amyknarr2270 i only Imagine the feelings of the people! I have a lways loved this song! I am 63, but heard this song all my life!

[@peterknight2860]

@@annimerethenilsen8888 I am 77, 6 still love this song

[@paperboxcutter]

An earlier tragic Indian song was RED WING, which came out in 1907. It was a huge hit in the pioneer era of the recording industry.

[@alanwilson8752]

Great to see this nostalgia 😀 the music my mum and dad loved thanks 👍👍👍👍😀😀😀

[@kennethhartman4888]

This is one of my ULTIMATE FAVORITE classics!!! Excellent song!! And I LOVE the story, Soo cute!!

[@roseespino8800]

Love these old love songs.

[@pamellabriggs9051]

I love this song. Loved looking at the way styles have changed.

[@Den-lh6sc]

Have changed Allright not for the good good old days

[@sapilgrim2299]

We used to sing this on the school bus coming home from Tombstone to Huachuca City, Arizona - in 1960. Another one was Daddy's Home by Paul Peterson.

[@bradsprau9854]

This song was played over and over in my uncle's bowling alley while my dad bowled still know the words

[@klausrain111]

I used to love this song back in the day, never bought the single because it played on the radio about once an hour every day.

[@barrygioportmorien1]

Excellent, from the late Johnny. Saw him in person in the late 80's, he did a great show....

[@caitlynforsyth9712]

Good luck and good ⁹ i5ebuzzgc and caitlyn dc

[@caitlynforsyth9712]

However

[@michaelrothwell3209]

I remember hearing this as kid on my parents gramophone in 1960 loved it and still do

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP.

[@denisesalles7248]

Love this! Came into my head while walking my dog this morning. My grandfather used to play it. He was Blackfeet.

[@spiritblue9]

Brings back great memories! ❤️💕

[@shirleykirby1891]

This was the great days for me growing up and I still always listen to the oldies!❤❤❤

[@marybetz1775]

Danced so much to this song. Love ❤️ it. Thank you 😊 a great song

[@hamilton59840]

The back-up chant in this classic number was done by the late Big Bopper. probably back in early 1959 (before we lost Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens in the tragic plane crash). R.I.P. Johnny Preston(1939-2011).

[@christinecripps9190]

So sad

[@familynexus724]

He was only 20 when this song came out?!

[@debrarotz5454]

I love this song brings back memories good one at that

[@GlenWFord-ps8ts]

Yep.

[@patearly9492]

Wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing and God bless everyone

[@frenchenstein]

Magic, I remember this song with much fondness. Thank you.

[@alphawolf9203]

Running bear. Luv's little white dove. My favorite song!

[@GE-eb3qg]

Running Bear and/or Little White Dove should have taken a conoe to cross the raging River.

[@ellenthorne1168]

Love this song you start to singalong when you hear it

[@g3user1usa]

I remember my older brother taking off his clothes and running around the house with a feather stuck in his hair. saying he's "Running Bare" when they played that song. I always got a kick out of that. I also must have been five years-old at the time. Those were some fun times.

[@rdavid6981]

Funny, made me laugh!

[@jeannetterook4579]

I hope you bring that story up every Thanksgiving.

[@rowley1950]

Douglas, for a minute I thought you were going to say with a feather stuck up his arse. Now that would be funny

[@donbunyan3675]

I saw Marty Wild and the wildcats performing this song in the late seventies in Yarmouth Uk! he sung with the background beat of silly bugger, silly bugger, if you sing it in such a way it sounds like indian drums.

[@robertallen5686]

lol dude...your bro was a lot more fun than mine...

[@antonfloor344]

This sounds fun, even today. Really love it.

[@brosefmcman8264]

What an amazing time to be alive!

[@kellyroberts8098]

My mom is walking around the house singing this. I thought she was making it up. Came to look it up. Cool song!

[@iansadler4309]

When my late cousin was a miner, they sang this riding the cage back to the surface after every shift. He died in his 50s (probably from mining related causes) and we sang him from the church to this.

[@sandradove2386]

my husband played this for me the first date 42 yrs ago ##

[@Alejandro-tz2pt]

you old bag

[@GlenWFord-ps8ts]

A Duck-watch your mouth.

[@brianeastman3547]

Sandra Dove ,This tune used to drive me crazee when I was a kid

[@swuej6755]

That's amazing

[@alicemuldoon2294]

@Henry Rodriguez agree. Maybe he thought he was being funny. He wasn't.

[@mickeyjudge7298]

I'm told I would dance to this song when I was a toddler. Looks like I had good taste in music!

[@olivepoola9153]

Still do if youre listening to it now!! 😊

[@catendresse]

Haven’t heard this for years but I remember how much I loved 🥰 it even if it was sad 😞.

[@maryhughes1892]

I love this song so did my mam I played it st her funeral xx

[@beverlykorte8581]

God bless you 🙏🙏🙏🌹💜💜

[@johnflanagan7653]

Top sound of that era - a 'best seller'.

[@martinconabeer6085]

Wonderful memories of this song lin and kathy and andy. What a wonderful world it was in exeter many moons ago hope you arr all safe and wellxx

[@christopherfisher6293]

When I was 12 years old, my dad and me went for a cycle ride to York ,about 35 miles away. We got to Tadcaster and stopped for coffee in a cafe and this tune was playing. Still cycling in my 70,s thanks to my dad and "Running Bear"

[@sharonfogg1336]

Remember this song very well when I was a teenager in the 50s and early 60s

[@queenieburgers50]

He's gorgeous 😍

[@francessegura1288]

Love love this beautiful song 🎵best of the best.for ever

[@anglomik]

Born in '56 and I remember this song!!! Thanks for re-posting!

[@Texasgal1000]

Wow this song brings back junior high days.

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Running Bear Johnny Preston On the banks of the river stood runnin' bear, young Indian brave On the other side of the river stood his lovely Indian maid Little white dove was-a her name, such a lovely sight to see But their tribes fought with each other so their love could never be Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die He couldn't swim the raging river 'cause the river was too wide He couldn't reach little white dove, waiting on the other side In the moonlight he could see her blowing kisses 'cross the waves Her little heart was beating faster, waiting there for her brave Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die Runnin' bear dove in the water, little white dove did the same And they swam out to each other through the swirling stream they came As their hands touched and their lips met, the ragin' river pulled them down Now they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die

[@ManWalksDogs]

"Runnin' bear dove in the water, little white dove did the same" Must admit this line did make us chuckle when I read the lyrics online a couple of months ago. Being from the UK we're not familiar with the American version of 'dived' but that aside it's the doubling up in the same line with a word spelt the same but pronounced differently and meaning something else that tickled us. Not sure if it was deliberate or not but I guess the format of *his name-his thought/action-her name-her thought/action* kind of forced the narrative that way.🌊🧸🕊 I picked this up in a secondhand store amongst a rack of 7"s and in so doing it became the oldest record in my collection, topping The Shadows - F.B.I. by one year back from 1961 to 1960. I know this was released in 1959 in the US but it wasn't until the following year over here and that's the version I have (of 22 in total).📀

[@kevinmulrooney3353]

First tune I remember.... My old man played continuously.... Love it

[@tudywittlake1072]

This song reminds me of my Daddy. Such great memories.

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP

[@lindalisk3214]

Absolutely LOVE this and frankly, I think that Johnny Preston looked HOT !!!!!!!!!! and Not 40. He was well dressed and had his hair combed. Something guys today should try :)

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

Linda Lisk I agree with you.🎸👍

[@kimburrous1]

Linda Lisk you know something funny? I’m his great granddaughter. I’m serious. My grandpaw is his son

[@jeperstone]

@@martinwilliamrandall You struggle with women don't ya fella 😉

[@rolandjohansson2714]

Well, you should as he was only 20 yrs old, born in 1939, though he looks more like 30.

[@andrewmartin6217]

Aww, Mom!

[@Bopalena]

That's the Big Bopper making the Indian sounds in the background of the song.

[@andybailey3888]

It was written by the Big Bopper too!

[@katieobrien1407]

OMG hhheeeyyyy bbbaaaabbbbyyyy it's the big bopper speaking. Lol.

[@shelbycox6332]

George jones too

[@LowgaenSchmidt]

Kinda sounds like "Oompa Loompa Oompa Loompa" lol

[@DavefMCT]

This video is dated 12 December 1959. The Big Bopper, JP Richardson Jr., was killed in a plane crash in Iowa on 3 February 1959, along with fellow musicians Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, and the pilot Roger Peterson. The Day the Music Died (Bye-Bye Miss American Pie). Sadly, unless it's his ghost, the background vocals we hear here aren't him.

[@karenjohnson8945]

This was my parents' song & their funeral song. I am playing this to Mum now on her dying bed 😢

[@shannongs1526]

Oh my God sweetie 🥰❤😢😢😢

[@helloyall4355]

My mama bought an album for us kids back in the 70's with a record player. This song was on one of the many albums she bought us. Memories and it's been over 40 years since I heard it and remember word for word.

[@countrypaul]

He was only 20 when this came out in 1959 and 22 around the time of this video, when the record re-entered the charts and made it way to #1. But he looks so much older... He had a nice ballad that wasn't a hit buried on a flip side of one of his singles; wish I remembered its name.

[@search4mygroove]

Someone posted it's "My Heart Knows"...

[@lindarich9557]

Always love listening to this song

[@eileenoconnor8838]

Lovely song, always loved it! Never seen a video of it before 😎👍

[@ericschnelten1193]

I first heard this about 5 years ago. I think this is my favorite song from this era.

[@mcfrdmn]

Lovely song and wonderful musical performance !

[@mikitoki9402]

アメリカン インディアンばんロミオとジュリエットですね❤️ 聞いてると、情景が目に浮かびます。悲しい結末ですね😪 でも、天国で幸せになるでしょうね🌟懐かしい、This is one of my favorite songs🎵🎤

[@julieclemons6217]

My dad was a truck driver for45 years thank you for the memories

[@ferreday1]

When I was younger you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing this

[@dbaugh1805]

A bit of trivial for you. The late country singer George Jones was helping make the Indian sounds on this record. He recorded a few rock a billy records under the name, "Thumper Jones."

[@paperboxcutter]

J P Richardson also wrote 'White Lightnin' , which was a George Jones early hit.

[@ErnestoFigueirasOfficial]

What a nice tune. Take me back to 50's or 60's.

[@larrykimball6687]

Ernesto Figueiras loved it when he came to the house and sang it! Than man loved my mom I will never forget my uncle Johnny

[@NameThatSong1]

The crowd scenes are fantastic 👏

[@stevebaer50]

I love this song very extremely because my last name is Baer. I was an athletic while I was young but now I have arthritis knee.

[@issacarellano9909]

Steve Baer I used to be an explorer like you but I took an arrow to the knee

[@VideoMusicManiacPlace]

First song I played at my first DJ gig with WING at 14 years old. The radio dj did not think the 6th graders would like it. But they went crazy. This was in 1972.

[@samsautter993]

WING Dayton ,OH. I was a 6th grader at Ruskin school when this was on the radio in 1959.

[@VideoMusicManiacPlace]

You have a nasty mind and mouth. None of us are talking to or about you. Please go to hell. Now, if possible. You are what people call, a TROLL.

[@robertallen5686]

..huh?!

[@nancywood9531]

I was junior in high school. Worked at Woolworth Store. Instead of ordering 50 of this song they sent 500. The store put it on speaker thru the store and it was played from 9 to 5 every day til 9 on Thursfays for 6 weeks ....over and over and over and. OVER!. We all bout went nuts. True!!

[@robertallen6710]

That is just too funny...and nuts!

[@slime18466]

I SAID STOP

[@jeffreybarker4193]

I used to have this song on 45, love it.

[@brianisebrand7620]

This is one of them song that I just cannot get out of my head. Never knew who originally sang it. Thank you for putting this up.

[@dog19292]

My grandads song, R.i.p

[@BeautifulFlower62]

My father sang this song to me a lot! when i dated a musician he knew the lyrics! Such amazing memories! i miss my father for many reasons. ❤

[@samstewart4807]

60? years after I first heard this song- it is still a great song

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

The end of the song left me feeling heavy-hearted.