Creedence Clearwater Revival is known as one of the most influential classic rock outfits of all time, and for good reason; their songs simply slap. Even decades after CCR called it quits, their biggest hits are still a delight to listen to. And we’re particularly fond of the following five songs from the band’s revered and objectively killer discography.
1. “Lookin’ Out My Back Door”
CCR were no strangers to criticizing the Vietnam War. Many would consider the band, at least at one point in time, the kind to teeter on the edge of the “protest band” label. However, they also knew when to take it down a notch.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Lookin’ Out My Back Door” was released during an extremely turbulent time in American history, and CCR simply reminded listeners to look out their back door and enjoy some garden gazing to keep their sanity. This is an apt one to enjoy nowadays.
2. “Green River”
Creedence Clearwater Revival songs are usually amazing because of how tight the band was. There was a sense of brotherhood there that was unmistakable. The epic song “Green River” brings the band together through a sense of nostalgia.
3. “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”
This is one of CCR’s most famous songs, and for good reason. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is a 1970 classic that reflects on the friction that started to occur between the band members at the height of their fame.
“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” reads almost like a letter from John Fogerty to his beloved brother: The lyrics are hopeless and sad, and very much not in line with the band’s usual style. Fogerty later said that the song was his all-time favorite because he now associates it with his daughter.
4. “Run Through The Jungle”
That opening guitar wail, that blues-soaked riff, that groovy melody… “Run Through The Jungle” really captures the vibe of the US during the Vietnam War. That is (obviously) the subject matter of the song, and the use of biblical imagery takes the track to an almost whimsical place in the most uncomfortable way possible. According to Fogerty, the song is also about gun control.
“The thing I wanted to talk about was gun control and the proliferation of guns,” said Fogerty in a Rolling Stone interview. “I remember reading around that time that there was one gun for every man, woman and child in America, which I found staggering. So somewhere in the song, I think I said, ‘200 million guns are loaded.’ Not that anyone else has the answer, but I did not have the answer to the question; I just had the question.”
5. “Bad Moon Rising”
Well, we just couldn’t leave this classic off of our list of the best Creedence Clearwater Revival songs. It’s spooky, apocalyptic, groovy, dark, unsettling, and oddly enough, a great blues rock song to dance to. CCR knew how to blend lyricism and instrumentation to create something both delightful and foreboding, and “Bad Moon Rising” is probably the best example of that skill.
Photo by Alan Messer/Shutterstock
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.