Ticket 2 Ride

Last week I posted my five favorite songs from various bands and solo artists. Starting this week, my Friday Five will spotlight one musical group or solo artist.

This week: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival was formed in El Cerrito, California by vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty, his brother, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford. That was the lineup until Tom Fogerty left for a solo career. The band had been playing together for a number of years before the name became Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“Proud Mary” (1969) Their first original hit, from their second album. John Fogerty was coming into his own as a songwriter and the group, together for ten years, was tight and efficient. At just over three minutes, CCR really smokes. The song was covered by others, with a great version by Ike and Tina.

Left a good job in the city
Workin’ for the man ev’ry night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin’
Worryin’ ’bout the way things might have been

“Bad Moon Rising” (1969) was their second consecutive song to reach number two on the chart. At just 2:21, it’s a very concise song that reminds me of the Beatles, whose songs were incredibly short, yet said a lot.

I hear hurricanes a-blowing
I know the end is coming soon
I fear rivers overflowing
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” (1970) This my favorite CCR song. The lyrics and melody are exceptional. Backed with “Travelin’ Band” to be a top five hit. It was also the title of a 1978 film about heroin smuggling from Vietnam, with CCR songs in the soundtrack.

I went down Virginia, seekin’ shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow
Five Year Plans and New Deals, wrapped in golden chains
And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?

“Run Through the Jungle” (1970) One side of a double A side single. Fogerty told Rolling Stone the song was about the proliferation of guns in America. I always thought it was about Vietnam. It’s a haunting song. The double single reached number four on the chart.

Thought I heard a rumblin’
Callin’ to my name
Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries, “Take aim!”

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” (1971) Another rain song, a number 8 charting song. The song references the glow of sunshine and the uncertainty that rain represents. Different meanings are associated with the song, but John Fogerty has alluded to the departure of brother Tom at a time the band was enjoying great success.

Yesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my time
‘Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can’t stop, I wonder

There are several other songs I considered, including a couple Motown covers. Fogerty is a great writer, his songs have strong melodies and chord progressions. For a young man, Fogerty had a mature insight into the world, as his lyrics above show.

CCR had a short lifespan, even though they played together a long time under other names. These guys were on fire when they hit the ground. John Fogerty was easily one of the top songwriters 1968-1971. He shouldered a lot of responsibility as writer, arranger, singer, lead guitarist – much to the growing displeasure of the rest of the band. Sadly, lawsuits, bad deals and grudges destroyed any likelihood of a reunion, and there was barely closure to the rift between the Fogerty brothers before Tom passed.

CCR had a unique blend of rock, rockabilly, R&B, swap rock and roots rock. I always thought CCR’s recordings were very stripped-down, the production very lean, not much gimmickry even in Fogerty’s guitar sound. These songs heard on the radio could be faithfully reproduced live. While I never heard them performed live, I’ve watch film of performances that sounded very much like the recordings.

In a bit of news, John Fogerty announced that he’s re-recorded 20 of his songs for release on Concord Records. Fogerty says that he has finally acquired ownership of his songs, that he lost to Fantasy Records decades ago, in a myriad of lawsuits.

Next Friday: lots of possibilities!