(extended Original Version): Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe

The takes the 3 minute and 14 second radio edit and pushes it further, emphasizing the track's unique "Euro-country" blend:

Where Did It Come From? The Wild Story of Rednex's "Cotton Eye Joe" Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe (Extended Original Version)

To sell the track, the producers crafted an elaborate, fictional backstory. They claimed the band members were "hillbillies" from a remote, uncivilized village called , who had been brought to Sweden to discover music. Musical Breakdown of the Extended Original The takes the 3 minute and 14 second

: Real banjos and fiddles are layered over aggressive, thumping techno beats to create a "raw, energetic, simple, party" vibe. Who Was Cotton Eye Joe? Musical Breakdown of the Extended Original : Real

While the Rednex version focuses on the fun, the original folk lyrics are much older and shrouded in mystery. Dating back to the early 1800s, "Cotton Eye Joe" was a staple among enslaved African Americans in the South.

: In a break from traditional Eurodance norms of the time, a male vocalist ( Göran Danielsson ) sings the refrain, while a female vocalist ( Annika Ljungberg ) handles the verses.