Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Tragic Tale of Two Lovers in “Running Bear” Became Sonny James’ Country Hit

Red Sovine's "Teddy Bear" Is One of The Saddest Country Songs of All Time
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Running Bear was a Country hit for Sonny James.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, James enjoyed an unprecedented streak of success with his commercially released singles – most of them were covers of previous pop hits. One of his sixteen consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart was his cover version of “Running Bear.” 

The song was released in 1969 and topped the Hot Country Singles chart and spent three weeks at No. 1, making it one of James’ most popular recordings of his career.

A Tragic Tale of Two Lovers

Written by Jiles Perry Richardson (a.k.a. The Big Bopper), “Running Bear” tells the story of two lovers: Running Bear, a “young Indian brave” and an “Indian maid” named Little White Dove. The two are much in love, but they are separated by their respective tribes who “fought with each other” and a raging river that was too wide for Running Bear to swim.

“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,” the song goes.

The two, who were longing to be together, dive into the raging river to be united amidst the obstacles and the risks. After sharing a passionate kiss, the couple in love were pulled down by the swift current and tragically drowned.

Richardson thought the song’s Romeo and Juliet theme was too serious for him to record, so he passed it on to his friend, Johnny Preston, after hearing him perform in a club. Preston recorded the song in 1958, featuring background vocals by Richardson, George Jones, and the session’s producer Bill Hall. The song went No. 1 for three weeks in 1960 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It also reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart.

A country resurrection was made possible by Sonny James nine years later and sent the title to the summit once again. James’James’s twice-a-year appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” were also a major plus in the marketing of Sonny’s version of “Running Bear.”

When James performed “Running Bear” on Sullivan’s show in May of 1969, just about a month before the record topped out at No. 1 on Billboard’s country chart, Sullivan had his choreographer Peter Gennaro work up a routine to use in the background while James sang the song. 

The dancers wearing full Indian garb added the extra visual touches during the performance, and James thought they did a good job. He credited his exposure of “Running Bear” on that program and a couple of other network TV shows he sang the tune on, with the record’s success. “Running Bear” became one of James’ trademark hits and soon emerged as the traditional closing number in his live shows.

Enjoy Sonny James’ performance of “Running Bear” in the video below.

Latest Stories

Garth Brooks appears emotional beside a photo of Larry Bastian, the late songwriter and mentor who helped shape Brooks’ early career and co-wrote “Unanswered Prayers.”

Garth Brooks Is Grieving Someone Who Meant Everything to Him

Garth Brooks is mourning the loss of Larry Bastian, the songwriter who helped shape some of his most iconic music and played a deeply personal role in his early career. ...

Lorrie Morgan performs at the Grand Ole Opry with a somber expression, now pausing her tour as her husband Randy White battles a serious health crisis.

Lorrie Morgan Cancels All April Shows as Husband Faces Major Health Crisis

Country music veteran Lorrie Morgan is stepping away from the spotlight this month as her husband, Randy White, faces a serious health battle. Morgan has canceled all of her concerts ...

Doug Kiker, known as "The Singing Garbage Man" from American Idol, appears emotional against a blue backdrop—his expression now echoing the heartbreak of his recently revealed cause of death.

‘American Idol’ Favorite Doug Kiker’s Cause of Death Has Been Revealed

Doug Kiker, the former American Idol contestant whose heartfelt audition once moved the nation, died at 32. Officials with the City and County of Denver Medical Examiner confirmed this week ...

George Strait smiles from the driver’s seat of his truck at a Texas Dairy Queen, while an excited worker captures the unforgettable moment outside his window.

George Strait Rolled Up to Dairy Queen and Left One Worker Shaking With Excitement

“That’s George Strait.” Becky Gonzalez wasn’t sure she heard her coworker right. It was just another shift at the Dairy Queen drive-thru in Cotulla, Texas, a small town an hour ...

Hank Williams Sr. smiles in a vintage portrait with his guitar, a haunting reminder of the country icon we lost too soon—and the legacy that could've shaped decades more of real country music.

What If Hank Williams Sr. Had Lived? How Country Music Might Be Different Today

When Hank Williams Sr. died alone in the backseat of a Cadillac on New Year’s Day 1953, country music didn’t just lose its biggest star. It lost its moral compass. ...

Jelly Roll beams with pride as he hugs his daughter Bailee, dressed in a yellow prom gown and holding red roses, capturing a heartfelt father-daughter moment.

Jelly Roll Couldn’t Hold It Together Watching His Daughter Leave for Prom

Jelly Roll has stood under stage lights in packed arenas, delivering songs soaked in pain, redemption, and raw truth. But nothing hits quite like watching his daughter, Bailee Ann, step ...

Kelly Clarkson delivers a soul-stirring performance of Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow,” transforming the country anthem into a personal power statement during her Kellyoke segment.

Kelly Clarkson Just Sang Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow” Like It Was Always Hers

Kelly Clarkson didn’t tiptoe into Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”. She charged straight through the front door with a voice full of gospel grit, Texas twang, and zero hesitation. On ...

Miranda Lambert performs with a smile in bold pink fringe, still lighting up the stage even as award shows continue to overlook her—leaving fans wondering why the most decorated ACM artist in history isn’t getting the recognition she used to.

Miranda Lambert’s CMA and ACM Snubs Have People Talking And the Theories Are Spicy

For nearly two decades, Miranda Lambert’s name was practically etched into the stage at country music’s biggest nights. From the CMAs to the ACMs, she racked up award after award ...

Willie Nelson and George Strait smile and share a warm moment onstage, each holding a guitar, during their first-ever duet performance at a tribute concert.

George Strait and Willie Nelson’s First Duet Took Years to Happen But It Was Worth It

Two Texas legends. One historic stage. And a question fans had quietly asked for decades: why hadn’t this happened before? On January 12, 2019, country music finally got the answer ...

Thomas Rhett sits in a wheelchair with a wrapped ankle, smiling and waving as his wife, Lauren, pushes him backstage. The couple laughs together after his onstage injury during a surprise concert entrance.

Thomas Rhett Breaks His Ankle Mid-Entrance and Leaves Stage in a Wheelchair

One minute Thomas Rhett was making a grand surprise entrance. The next, he was flat on the floor with a broken ankle—and still managed to give a performance that left ...