Universal Soldier (song)

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For other uses, see Universal Soldier.

"Universal Soldier" was originally released on It's My Way! in 1964.

"Universal Soldier" is a song written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. The song was originally released on Sainte-Marie's debut album It's My Way! in 1964. "Universal Soldier" was not a popular hit at the time of its release, but it did garner attention within the contemporary folk music community.

[edit] Covers

"Universal Soldier"

Single by Donovan
from the album Fairytale
Released	March 12, 1965 (US)
Format	7"
Recorded	1965
Genre	folk
Length	2:16 (Side A) 1:51 (Side B)
Label	Hickory Records
Producer(s)	Terry Kennedy, Peter Eden, Geoff Stephens
Chart positions
53 (US)
Donovan singles chronology
"Colours" (1965)	"Universal Soldier" (1965)	"Turquoise" (1965)

By 1965 the song had caught the attention of budding folk singer Donovan, who recorded it utilizing a similar arrangement to Buffy Sainte-Marie's original recording. Donovan's recording was released on an EP titled The Universal Soldier in the United Kingdom. The EP continued Donovan's run of high charting releases in the UK by reached #5 on the charts.

The lack of interest in the EP format within the United States led Hickory Records to release the song as a single in September 1965 (Hickory 45-1338). Donovan's cover of "Universal Soldier" was backed with another track from the British EP, Bert Jansch's "Do You Hear Me Now?".

Donovan's single release of "Universal Soldier" also became a hit, charting higher than his previous single "Colours" and ultimately reaching #53 on the Billboard charts. This success led Hickory Records to include the song on the United States release of Donovan's second album Fairytale, replacing a cover of Bert Jansch's "Oh Deed I Do".