The open chord rhythms and lilting notes played on open positions gives the song its smooth folk rock sound. “Who’ll Stop the Rain” is primarily an acoustic song with a melancholy melody that matches the downbeat theme of the song. Lyrically it can be seen as a criticism of the American war in Vietnam, although Fogerty really wrote the song after playing at Woodstock in 1969. “Who’ll Stop the Rain” is one of CCR’s more serious and moody songs. If you want to get schooled in both the Hawkins original and Fogerty cover, check out the Arlen Roth video lesson “ The Open E Position “˜Suzie Q’ Lick“ Who’ll Stop the Rain The song’s signature lick is a great example of hybrid picking for rock guitar, with the constant bass note being an integral part of the song’s rhythm. The song was written by Louisiana born guitarist Dale Hawkins in 1957 and was a part of CCR’s setlist for years before appearing on their debut album in 1968. “Suzie Q” is CCR’s only Top 40 hit that wasn’t written by John Fogerty. It became one of their signature songs as well owing to their reworking of the gospel and soul elements of the “Rollin’ down the river” chorus. “Proud Mary” was remade by Ike & Tina Turner’s two years later.
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It also features a guitar solo that Fogerty says was influenced by Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MG’s. Like many Creedence songs it’s built around a powerful riff which opens the song and is repeated throughout. “Proud Mary,” from CCR’s second album Bayou Country in 1969, is the band’s most recognizable and characteristic song. It’s simply a bunch of songs that sound cool, are relatively easy to play, and are likely to sound recognizable when played by beginners. This isn’t a scientific poll made up by experts. The iconic hit eventually climbed to the eighth slot on Billboard’s Hot 100 scoreboard.Since our featured artist of the month is John Fogerty I thought it would be fun to write about the best CCR songs for guitar. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” was officially released as a single in early 1971, and “Hey Tonight” served as the b-side. Anyway, Kelsy is a rainbow in my life, and this song has a rainbow in it.” These days, it’s a very happy song, because it reminds me of my beautiful, little baby girl, Kelsy, and that is the truth.” “It was about a sad occasion in my life, but I refuse to be sad now. “It started out as a sad song many years ago,” he said. Much later, John Fogerty told a crowd at a 2012 concert in Arizona that the song, once baring great emotional anguish and yearning, had completely shifted in meaning. “’Til forever, on it goes through the circle, fast and slow / I know, it can’t stop, I wonder.” “Yesterday and days before, sun is cold, and rain is hard / I know, been that way for all my time,” he sings. In the second verse, he continues mulling over the eventual split. I was reacting, ‘Geez, this is all getting serious right at the time when we should be having a sunny day.’” The imagery is, you can have a bright, beautiful, sunny day, and it can be raining at the same time,” John reportedly told Rolling Stone journalist Michael Goldberg in a 1993 interview. “That song is really about the impending breakup of Creedence. “I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain / Comin’ down on a sunny day?,” he howls on the hook. & the MG, who once opened for Creedence Clearwater Revival, switches between plainspoken emotion and rich poeticism. The song, allegedly inspired by instrumental funk band Booker T. “When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day / I know, shinin’ down like water.”
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“Someone told me long ago there’s a calm before the storm / I know, it’s been comin’ for some time,” he crows his admission right on the opening verse.
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“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” features John Fogerty’s signature throaty snarl, as he airs his heartache and frustrations over the situation. One album was released posthumously called Sidekicks (1992). Tom passed away from tuberculosis in 1991. He went on to release several solo records, including Excalibur (1972) and 1974’s Zephyr National, on which John played. Tom famously left the group in 1971 ahead of the new album’s release. In fact, he wrote the mid-tempo classic “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?,” from the group’s 1972 album Pendulum, explicitly about Tom leaving the group. His brother and fellow singer/songwriter John Fogerty has gone on record stating he felt the fracture happening.
#CCR SOMGS SERIES#
One of the most iconic ‘60s roots-rock bands, Creedence Clearwater Revival was coming off a series of gold and platinum records when band member Tom Fogerty announced his departure.