If I had to pick a favorite song of Creedence Clearwater Revival it would be hard… but this song would be a contender and probably my overall favorite. It’s the way Fogerty wearily sings the lyrics, he sounds so much older than he was at the time. The song is off of the “Green River” album.
Sometimes lines grab my attention and these did. Met myself a comin’ county welfare line. I was feelin’ strung out, Hung out on the line.
The album did very well…the Green River album peaked at #1 in the Billboard Album Charts, #2 in Canada, and #20 in the UK in 1969. If you want proof that life isn’t fair… Green River the title track was kept from #1 because of the novelty bubblegum song “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies.
With Creedence…you won’t hear any “alternative takes” with the band. Fogerty destroyed all copies of the first version of songs because he never wanted any of his outtakes to make it into the public’s hands. This has been a regular practice of him throughout his career.
The album ended up charting 4 different songs. Green River, Lodi, Bad Moon Rising, and Commotion. John Fogerty released a new version of the song on his ninth solo studio album, also titled Wrote a Song for Everyone. This version features Miranda Lambert and Tom Morello.
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco has cited this as a song that had a profound influence on him. A huge Fogerty fan, Wilco credits him with forming the foundation of the Americana genre.
John Fogerty: “Inspired by my young wife at the time. It was early ’69, and I was 23 years old. We had our first child, who, at the time, was two and a half. I was sitting in my room, writing the songs, pushing my career. Without the songs, the career ends. You might be a great band, but without the songs, you’re not going anywhere. At one point, my wife and I had a mild misunderstanding, I wouldn’t even call it a fight, She was miffed, taking our young son out, wishing I would be more involved. But there I was, the musician manic and possessed the only guy holding things up. Without me, it all collapses, so I’m feeling quite put upon. As she walks out the door, I say to my self, “I wrote a song for everyone, and I couldn’t even talk to you.” I looked at my piece of paper and changed gears. How many great leaders can’t even manage their own families? So I went with that. “Pharaohs spin the message/Round and round and true/Richmonds about to blow up” referring to nearby Richmond, California. It was actually a true emotion that took on a larger meaning. It’s still a special song in the sense that it keeps my feet on the ground. You sit and write these songs, yet you try to talk to your own son and daughter and maybe you’re totally inadequate, trying to explain life to a child. We used to record our album very quickly and I remember finishing five different songs in one afternoon. The fifth one didn’t work, and that was “Wrote A Song For Everyone.” I had to start over on that one.”
“Wrote A Song For Everyone”
Met myself a comin’ county welfare line.
I was feelin’ strung out, Hung out on the line.
Saw myself a goin’, down to war in June.
All I want, All I want is to write myself a tune.
[Chorus:]
Wrote a song for ev’ryone,
Wrote a song for truth.
Wrote a song for ev’ryone
And I couldn’t even talk to you.
Got myself arrested, Wound me up in jail.
Richmond ’bout to blow up, communication failed.
If you see the answer, now’s the time to say.
All I want, All I want is to get you down to pray.
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Saw the people standin’ thousand years in chains.
Somebody said it’s diff’rent now, look, it’s just the same.
Pharoahs spin the message, round and round the truth.
They could have saved a million people, How can I tell you?
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
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John Fogerty was Creedence, as that group wouldn’t have gone anywhere without him.
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No they wouldn’t have… I liked Tom’s voice but he didn’t have the writing talent that John did…not many do…
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Whenever I hear Clearance, I think of The Dude’s disdain for The Eagles lol ‘Not the Eagles Man’.
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LOL… and I agree with him!
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Same here. The dude abides.
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Didn’t know it. Loved it Max.
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Thanks Bruce…it’s a good one.
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John can surely write a damn good tune. He was at his best with Creedence- I love ‘Lodi’ and others that haven’t been radio-waved to death, like ‘It Came Out Of The Sky’ ‘Long As I Can See The Light’ ‘Travelling Band’ ‘Pagan Baby’ etc His solo work is patchier but still there are some gems- ‘Joy Of My Life, his mellow side, ‘It Ain’t Right’ for his angrier side.
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He really emptied himself with Creedence. He made enough for a lifetime but I agree. I like some of the things afterward but he owned that certain time period.
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Your favorite one of theirs. Bit surprised, but it certainly is a good song and not one you hear often (unless you have the LP or CD and choose to, of course!) … so many good songs in a short time from them.
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Oh, I like all the hits too but Creedence suffers from EaglesOverkill Syndrome.
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YES…if not by radio by every bar band in America
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Sometimes the lyrics hit me just right…and this one does. I feel in love with it plus I’m not burnt out on it.
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I think ‘Lookin’ Out My Back Door’ might be my favorite of theirs BUT it is getting close to the ‘Sweet Home/Hotel/We Will Rock You’ level of burnout due to overkill. ‘Run through the Jungle’ and ‘Fortunate son’ would probably be my next two, and not overplayed in general.
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The Archie’s! lol Yikes if that would have happened to Zeppelin Bonzo would have trashed a whole floor of a hotel. lol
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LOL… he did it anyway…just in case!
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and if it had happened the same day Rolling Stone named Karen Carpenter the best rock drummer…?
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The hotel would be gone.
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Bahahaha that’s for sure Dave as I recall reading that Bonzo went bonkers when that happened
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Have you guys seen the video…it’s not great quality but….it’s a Led Zeppeling concert and Bonzo AND Moon are playing?
Here it is…it’s near the end. THAT is the concert I would have wanted to see.
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Wow…just WOW!
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I see why this is one of your Creedence favorites. The story behind the song does connect with everyone. He sounds weary, in a way that people can relate to.
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I love CCR but admittedly had not known this tune. John Fogerty is a great songwriter. And a pretty good guitarist!
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Yes he is…when I first heard this song…I just fell in love with it. I love the lyrics about the county welfare line…a little of the blues in there.
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I’ve always liked this one – ‘As Long As I Can See The Light’ is pretty similar. That’s a lot of responsibility at 23 – holding a top-selling band together while having a young family.
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I didn’t realize that about Fogerty destroying all the outtakes. What a freaking shame.
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This song wasn’t on my radar, but I like it. Thanks for the history lesson on the band too!
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Have a great one Eden!
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