Medicine Songs
Buffy Sainte-Marie · 2017
49 min · 13 tracks · country music
A poignant blend of folk, rock, and Indigenous themes woven through powerful storytelling and dynamic instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
You Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
My Country ’Tis of Thy People You’re Dying — This track powerfully critiques American nationalism by juxtaposing patriotic imagery with stark realities faced by Native Americans, serving as a haunting reminder of historical injustices.
-
→
No No Keshagesh — This song addresses environmental exploitation and corporate greed, showcasing Sainte-Marie's ability to merge personal narrative with broader social commentary through its compelling lyrics.
-
→
Universal Soldier — Sainte-Marie's iconic protest song is reimagined here, maintaining its anti-war message while resonating with contemporary audiences facing ongoing global conflicts.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary themes with varied instrumentation, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- Instrumentation varies from acoustic guitar and piano to full band arrangements, creating dynamic shifts in energy across tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate Indigenous musical elements and storytelling techniques, enhancing the thematic depth of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady thematic exploration throughout
- poignant reflections on struggle
- thoughtful engagement with history
- cathartic moments of empowerment
Maybe skip if you
- seeks fast-paced entertainment
- prefers lighthearted listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Reflects ongoing vitality and relevance in contemporary issues after a long hiatus.
- Themes
- American nationalism critique· Indigenous resilience· environmental exploitation
- Career context
- Released in 2017, Medicine Songs marks Buffy Sainte-Marie's first album of original material in over a decade, following her acclaimed work in the 1960s and 70s. This album reflects her ongoing commitment to activism and cultural representation as she revisits her classic songs with fresh arrangements and new tracks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Kate Bush· Joan Baez
Tracklist
- 1 You Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind) Start here 3:42
- 2 The War Racket 4:00
- 3 Starwalker 3:05
- 4 My Country ’Tis of Thy People You’re Dying 5:35
- 5 America the Beautiful 2:54
- 6 Carry It On 2:59
- 7 Little Wheel Spin and Spin 3:00
- 8 No No Keshagesh 4:46
- 9 Soldier Blue 3:42
- 10 The Priests of the Golden Bull 4:06
- 11 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee 4:33
- 12 Universal Soldier 2:41
- 13 Power in the Blood 4:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.