Jim Reeves - Distant Drums(with lyrics)(HD)

Jim Reeves - Distant Drums(with lyrics)(HD)

"Distant Drums" is a song which provided US singer Jim Reeves with his only UK No. 1 hit – albeit posthumously – in the United Kingdom in 1966, some two years after his death in a plane crash on 31 July 1964. The song remained in the UK Singles Chart for 25 weeks. The single also topped the US country chart for four weeks, becoming his most successful posthumous single.

It was an unexpected achievement for a song that Reeves had recorded for its composer, Cindy Walker, under the impression it was for her private use only and had earlier been dismissed by both the RCA record company and Chet Atkins (a noted guitarist and record producer who worked with Reeves) as unsuitable for wider public release.

This may have explained the lower than usual sound quality heard on the original recording of the song. However, following Reeves' death, the track was overdubbed with an orchestral backing and released to the public as the version that later climbed up the music charts in both the United States and the UK.

Perhaps because of the timing of the song's release (during the summer of 1966), "Distant Drums" attracted attention to the continuation of hostilities in the Vietnam War and an increased public awareness (both in the United Kingdom and the United States) of the difficult conditions faced by U.S. armed personnel fighting in that conflict. This is due to the lyrics implying the wishes of a soldier who wants to marry his beloved (called "Mary" in the song) before he answers the call of battle in some far away land; the "distant drums" which make up the song's title.

[LorkerimbotiLato]

Thank you Jim for not dying with your songs

[SMcCaskill]

The smartest thing Jim's widow Mary did was to set aside the songs that he had recorded but never released. After he died and she had time to grieve she and Jim's secretary set about releasing the other songs and getting the Jim Reeves Museum established. Mary did a very good job of saving his legacy.

[johnmascarenhas]

As a teenager this song was my favourite and to this day it has touched my heart be

[marybrandle]

Do you realize how many soldiers have listened to this song .love it.peace and God bless America and our soldiers.

[herbertfranklin]

Last song I danced with my girl we were to get married when I returned from Vietnam. 30 days later she married one of my best friends. Convinced her me going to river boats I wouldn’t return

[babyblue]

My dad had Jim reeves records, and used to sing this song, my mums name was Mary.

[paulmorgan]

it's like a hymn, I think it was my fathers favourite song,

[devendrapurushe]

Great Senti Menti Song. Love Distant Drums!!!😊

[gbakasefanu]

This song made and makes me emotional!

[judithquiah]

Love him! This is one of my favourite, brings back a lot of memories😢

[ceciliasparks]

My singing partner and I sing at nursing homes. We sing "patriotic" songs during July. They don't have to be your standard songs, as the only real standard we sing is "God Bless America" with the group. I was wondering how many older people might recognize this song. May not matter, because its words are amazing. Should anyone know of another that seems like we might not know, we'd love more names. They loved the old "Chatanooga Choo Choo."

[JeanetteBachmann-in]

Jim your songs are the greatest of all time You keep painful souls alive None can be more heart warming
Thank You Jim God chose you to be
with Him rather than this cruel world
20.29 1st August 24

[junej]

My sweet love i wish you were here now. Miss you

[davidfrans]

Mr. Jem Reaves. all songs if you sing them, are always beautiful to me. I am thankful for you.





[kathlunn]

I have always loved this song I love you

[ThusithaThanthirige]

Greetings From Super Extremes- Sri Lanka
💚 💛 ❤ 💙 💜

[VidarLund-kq]

This was originally a demo recording with backing only by The Blue Boys. A Cindy Walker song, it wasn't considered appropriate to record and release it at the time, but after his death it was overdubbed and released in 1966 to become a huge international hit.

[michaelterry]

Song was a demo record spent 6 weeks at number one in England 1966 during a Beatles heyday

[i.charles]

This tune started my love affair with the voice of Gentleman Jim Reeves still going strong over 50 years old longer than many a marriage

[anthonyodonnell]

loved this song, released 1966 in uk but how come I was playing it on the jukebox in my local pub in 1965?