Radar

Background

"Radar" is the fourth track of Deja Vu All Over Again, the seventh solo album of John Fogerty. The collection of songs was released in September 2004. It reached #23 in the USA and #1 in Sweden.

The organ driven disco/new wave number "Radar" is the most experimental track on Deja Vu All Over Again.  It has got something from Question Mark and the Mysterians, Doug Sahm and even Elvis Costello. In an interview at the time of the release of the album, Fogerty admitted the sound of the organ is reminiscent to "Louie, Louie" of the Kingsmen (The Washington Times, November 11th, 2004).   

Personnel

Guitars, lead vocals, background vocals, organ, percussion: John Fogerty

Drums: Kenny Aronoff

Bass: David Santos

Background vocals: George Hawkins Jr

Background vocals: Billy Burnette

Child voice at the end: Kelsy Fogerty

Fogerty played a Vox Continental organ on  the track (Interview with John Fogerty, The Washington Times, November 11th, 2004).   

Live versions

"Radar" was heard live in 14 John Fogerty concerts in the USA in November 2004. The world premiere took place in Biloxi, Mississippi, on November 6th. Not unlike the album version, the concert take featured Fogerty on keyboards. Bruce from Louisiana described the number on the fan site John Fogerty Swamp after the Biloxi concert: "---he was kind a growling and snarling, in a fun way, when he was playing it. Then towards the end of the song, one of the roadies/stagehands came out to get the keyboard but started playing little background organ parts! Then the song ended and the roadie took it off stage. I've never seen that done before, but what the heck, it works!" 

Critical reception

"Fogerty self-produces, possibly a mistake. Surely a sympathetic producer -- Rick Rubin, perhaps? --would have advised against including limp '80s-style rockers Baggage and Radar." -Noel Mengel, Courier-Mail, Brisbane, Australia, September 25th, 2004. 

"And though he's still got the momentum, it doesn't mean he's not willing to experiment and try something new, as "Radar" suggests. Equal parts dance, guitar-rock, and adult contemporary, here is a song that will hook you and reel you in, get you moving, but still has an engine purring underneath it." -Alex Steininger, In Music We Trust, November-December 2004. 

"And you get some very very generic, but funny retro-New Wave pop ('Radar'), which is sort of an urbanistic version of 'Honey Do' for those who like their music urbanized instead of countrified. Hmm, maybe sweet family life does have its drawbacks?" -George Starostin. 

"--- odd disco/new wave vibe ---." -Thomas Erlewine, Allmusic

Fans' views

"Another fine example of the versatility of John. It has a unique reggae style and I loved it live when he performed it in Biloxi, Mississippi. George Hawkins has a ball playing this song."

"The songs [on Deja Vu] are catchy - I woke up in the middle of the night with the chorus from Radar whizzing around my brain."

"Shows the eccentric side of John."

"It´s the only song with air attention here in Germany. Fine guitar work."

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