Hey Tonight is the B-side of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” the first single Creedence Clearwater Revival released in 1971 and the last the band launched as a quartet. Both single cuts also appear on the Pendulum album. What terrific singles this great band produced like clockwork.
This is yet another song that has the character “Jody” in it. Songs like It Came Out Of The Sky, Hey Tonight, and a solo Fogerty song called Almost Saturday Night. He has never said one way or another if it was based on someone or just sounded good in the song…probably the latter.
John Fogerty wrote “Hey Tonight” and the band rehearsed it before the group hit the studio in 1970. Fogerty thought the song was one of the better ones on the album despite the fact it was written in while the band was in turmoil at that time. Creedence Clearwater played “Hey Tonight” live for a first time at the private party the band held to music writers at Cosmo’s Factory on December 12th, 1970.
John not only wrote, sings and plays guitar on every track, he also overdubbed organ and saxophone (which he played himself) on some of the songs.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?/Hey Tonight peaked at #9 in the Billboard 100 and #1 in Canada in 1971.
This video below is not a real video to the song but it shows some footage I haven’t seen before of the band as a trio after Tom quit. The song is right below this one.
Hey Tonight
Hey, Tonight,
Gonna be tonight,
Don’t you know I’m flyin’
Tonight, tonight.
Hey, c’mon,
Gonna chase tomorrow
Tonight, tonight.
Gonna get it to the rafters,
Watch me now.
Jody’s gonna get religion
All night long.
Hey, c’mon,
Gonna hear the sun
Tonight, tonight.
Gonna get it to the rafters,
Watch me now.
Jody’s gonna get religion
All night long.
Aaaah!
Hey, Tonight,
Gonna be tonight,
Don’t you know I’m flyin’
Tonight, tonight.
Tonight, tonight.
…
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Jody’s gonna get religion sounds like Jody is going down on her knees to me, but what the heck do I know.
I love this song! I used to have this ringtone on my phone. Lol.
Alright! I never thought of this one.
That’s a great a and b side. They really packed some great tunes into their short run
They did… and besides the Beatles had the best doubles sides singles
Was going to say besides (or “b-sides”) the Beatles no other band seemed to have as many b-sides that got airplay and were popular. Another good one here.
Yea I’ve mined CCR for posts to death…and I’m getting near the end of the line lol. Almost every single they did you know both sides.
Great riff at the beginning. Good happy song.
Really solid grunge rock before there was such a thing. I always liked this one–I’m a huge Creedence fan–it was raw/garage band authentic, with a touch of strategic production. Love it.
I am big fan also obviously… they did more in 3 years than many bands do in triple that amount…and quality.
When I had a cassette of their 20 greatest hits, this was one of my least favourite, along with ‘Susie Q’ and ‘Sweet Hitch-hiker’. They were outclassed by the classic mid-period albums for me as a teenage listener.
For me it was the intro…that hooked me. Susie Q I completely agree on.
It’s a bit more straight classic rock than their mid-period stuff.
Good ol CCR. So many catchy tunes and so much hate between them, lol
Just an FYI to let you know we are live tomorrow night with Andy Curran who has a 40 year career in Canadian Music. Plus one of his best pals is Steve Harris from Iron Maiden.
We will be talking a ton of rock dude.
If u can’t watch it will be up on Youtube
Ok dude…I should be there…I shouldn’t have to work. I’m looking forward to it as always.
Thanks pal. You will love it.. ton of road stories from Andy its amazing as he also worked with RUSH for years.
That is really cool I should be there. I didn’t miss Mike Fraser did I?
No your good as Mike Fraser may be on the 16th. That one will will know by this Monday as Fraze has been busy which is good for him.
Love that tune! My sister had that single, which was my introduction to CCR when I was like seven or eight years old. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” probably is my all-time favorite by the band.
They certainly were like the Beatles in that respect…great singles…both sides. Yes I like that one also a lot.
This is one of those bands I love everything I hear but never spend time with which is a shame. I need to have CCR day soon.
Just put on Creedence. Chronicles and have a great day…that is one of the best greatest hits packages ever.
Never get tired of this stuff.