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The core riff of Radha Govinda is a simple and powerful 1-4-1 / 4-5-1 chord progression played on the piano, resolving into a variation on the classic 6-2-5-1 cadence underlying so much popular Western music. It fits perfectly with the melody, but Indian classical music doesn’t really do chords, preferring melodic ornament against a held or implied drone, and unisons over harmonies.

The music theories are actually always a little bit at war, like many couples, but when Radha and Govinda realize they are within each other, there are outbreaks of peace and celebration, and it all works. Two thirds of the way through there is a change up from 4/4 time to 6/8 that throws the melody into a backflip and – with the help of some smooth pedal steel from cowboy Dean Parks – rides the waltz all the way to the rodeo.

lyrics

Radhe radhe madana mohana
Gopinatha radhe
Radhe radhe syama sundara sundara radhe

Radhe radhe govinda gopala radhe
Radhe radhe govinda giridhari radhe

Varhsane valle ki jai jai jai jai,
Varshane valle ki jai jai jai jai
Vrishabhanu nandini ki jai jai jai-jai-jai
Vrishabhanu nandini ki jai jai jai-jai-jai

Radhe govinda, radhe govinda
Radhe govinda, radhe govinda
Radhe govinda radhe, radhe govinda radhe
Radhe govinda radhe, radhe radhe govinda radhe

Radhe radhe madana mohana
Gopinatha radhe
Radhe radhe syama sundara sundara radhe

Radhe radhe govinda gopala radhe
Radhe radhe govinda giridhari radhe

Varhsane valle ki jai jai jai jai,
Varshane valle ki jai jai jai jai
Vrishabhanu nandini ki jai jai jai-jai-jai
Vrishabhanu nandini ki jai jai jai-jai-jai

Radhe govinda, radhe govinda
Radhe govinda, radhe govinda
Radhe govinda radhe, radhe govinda radhe
Radhe govinda radhe, radhe radhe govinda radhe

Radhe radhe madana mohana
Gopinatha radhe
Radhe radhe syama sundara sundara radhe

Radhe radhe govinda gopala radhe
Radhe radhe govinda giridhari radhe
Radhe radhe govinda gopala radhe
Radhe radhe govinda sri kishori radhe

Varhsane valle ki jai jai jai jai,
Varshane valle ki jai jai jai jai
Radhe govinda radhe govinda

Varhsane valle ki jai jai jai jai,
Varshane valle ki jai jai jai jai
Radhe govinda radhe govinda
Radhe govinda radhe govinda
Radhe govinda

credits

from Mantra Americana II, released August 25, 2023

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Dave Stringer Los Angeles

Grammy-nominated producer, singer, composer and innovative international Kirtan artist. Stringer’s sound connects the transcendent mysticism of East Indian ragas to the exuberant grooves of Gospel and the ringing harmonies of Appalachia.

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