THE YEAR IS 1994!
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This song originated in America in the 1800s, and is commonly associated with the American South. It became a popular song in country bars, as it was perfect for line dancing. It’s a traditional folk song, and many country artists recorded it.
- Rednex is a group of Swedish producers who recorded “Cotton Eye Joe” as a techno dance song. After putting the song together, they came up with the country bumpkin motif and named the group Rednex.
- In a cagy marketing move, they refused interviews and released a bio to the press explaining that the group was rescued from an uncivilized village called Brunkeflo in the backwoods of Idaho and brought to Sweden, where they could express their musical gifts. Their names were Bobby Sue, Billy Ray, Mary Joe, BB Stiff and Ken Tacky – all inbred. The ploy worked. Throughout Europe, Rednex garnered lots of press with their outlandish story and look. It wasn’t until February 1995 – about six months after the song was released – that a Swedish newspaper broke the story that Rednex was a local creation with a story crafted to hoodwink the press.
- The song was released in Europe and took off, going to #1 in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and a few other territories late in the year. In America, it got a far less enthusiastic response, peaking at #25 in May 1995. But while American radio stations shunned the song, music directors at baseball stadiums embraced it, and the song spread through sports. America is where the song dug in its boots and held the line, remaining a sporting event staple. If you see a mascot dancing on top of a dugout between innings, there’s a good chance “Cotton Eye Joe” is playing.
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The female vocals are by Annika Ljungberg, who performed with Rednex as Mary Joe. The male vocal is by Göran Danielsson, who stayed behind the scenes; his part for performances and in the video was lip-synced by Anders Arstrand, who went by Ken Tacky.
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