Top 70 of John Fogerty Songs From His Solo Years (1999)

TRIVIA:

The winner is a different John Fogerty song. Usually, the roots of his music are in rock and roll, blues and country but this song comes somewhere from the mid 60's, echoing the ageless "teenage" pop sounds of the Beatles and Beach Boys.

It's pretty ironic that the winner of this year's John Fogerty Song Survey is a piece that Fogerty has done live only a couple of times. Perhaps the first time he performed the B side opener of the "John Fogerty" album live on stage was the "Premonition" recording sessions in December 1998.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"An an amazing guitar intro like on "Up Around The Bend" and "Hey Tonight"."

"This may be John's most underrated song. All of us on the list know how great it is, but most of the world probably has never heard it. That's their loss. It should be as classic as "Bad Moon Rising". It's as good as anything he ever did with Creedence."

"It is very "teenage" sounding with all the boldness of being young and yet a feeling of longing and dreaming for something. Fabulous lyrics."

"Great guitar intro. Amazing vocals "yes I mean it" and a little melancholic sound in a happy song. Just a song that have everything in his....... It has the right mix to be timeless."

"It was first recorded while I was in college, and it captured that feeling you get at the end of the week, when you've worked hard all week and now you're looking forward to the weekend. I still think it captures that feeling very well -- perhaps better than any other song. I can't sit still when I hear it."

TRIVIA:

According to Fogerty, "Almost Saturday Night" and "Rockin' All Over The World" were already written during the CCR era. Due to tensions inside the band, Fogerty didn't record the songs for any Creedence album.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Just a great rock and roll song. I think mainly I just li-li-like it."

"Real rock'n roll, one of JF's best songs, reelin' and rockin'. Get crazy at this tune."

TRIVIA:

"Centerfield" is probably the most well-known baseball song. "All the baseball stuff I could remember is in there", said John Fogerty, "I really do love baseball, so I didn't have to research it."

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"If you're an American, who wouldn't want to play Centerfield for the New York Yankees (Or First Base for the St. Louis Cardinals)? This song is a standard in the rich tradition of "Proud Mary". Baseball is timeless. This song is timeless. They will be playing it at basball games long after we're all gone."

"True Rock and Roll Song with good rhythmn. And above all, after this song I got a guitar-pick from JF, during the first time I have seen him doing a live-performance."

"Great in concert and it's much more than a baseball song, more a commentary on getting up and having a go."

TRIVIA:

"Swamp River Days" was perhaps one of the performances that ranked surprisingly high in the survey. The song, reminding "Green River" both musically and lyrically, also proved to be the best cut on the "Blue Moon Swamp" album, edging barely "110 In The Shade".

Many got immediately hooked by the grooving guitar riff of the song. Originally the riff was heard in "My Sharona" in 1979, a chartbuster hit by a band called Knack.

REASONS BY THE VOTERS:

"A reminiscence of the past. Nostalgia chose this one. The closest he has come to the CCR sound of the late 60's."

"Good guitar-play in a song in wich John sings with a very good voice."

"A wonderful song about carefree days and fun."

TRIVIA:

The bluesy gospel song was the first finished song on "Blue Moon Swamp". The first version of it might have been recorded as early as in appr. 1992. Fogerty wrote the song during his trips to Mississippi in 1991-1992.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"This is an incredible piece of music by John, he presents a genuine picture of hard work and longing."

"Best dang song in a decade; the whole spirit and atmosphere of the swamps is honest."

"The imagery in this song is outstanding. Like JF, I've always had this mythical obsession with the South. This song really captures that spirit. The background vocals really give this tune an "authentic feel"."

"My husbands favorite."

TRIVIA:

Fogerty performed the song probably for the first time in a live concert at Farm Aid, September 1985. It was also icluded in the set list on his "Blue Moon Swamp" and "Premonition" Tours 1997-1998. The screaming guitar solos of the live version knocked the socks out.

Concerning this song, Fogerty was also sued by his former label in 1985 for copying one of his CCR era composition, "Run Through The Jungle".

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"I'll never forget the first time I heard this song. I had been a CCR fan for a number of years (though was too young during their heyday). I had heard of John's almost hermit like existence since the break-up. I had heard rumours of a new album and then I heard this on the radio. "Oh man, he's still got it! He's back!!!!" Vintage JF, vintage swamp rock."

"I had a dream about John Fogerty the night before this record came out. I didn't know the record was coming out. I woke up that morning wondering why I dreamed about JCF. Then I got in my car and the DJ on the radio said John Fogerty had a new record just released that day, and he played "The Old Man Down the Road."

"OOO!!! That beat! And the solo guitar."

TRIVIA:

The song was written by Fogerty on a fishing trip on a lake at the San Pablo reservoir in the Bay area somewhere in 1983. On that trip, Fogerty suddenly recognized he's able to write songs again after no less than a decade long hiatus. "I Saw It On T.V." was the first song for his forthcoming album, "Centerfield".

The song summarizes the American near history and is also an autobiographical statement by John Fogerty who had realized he had got old, including hints to the Blue Velvets, Golliwogs and the CCR era.

"I Saw It On T.V." is the best song he has never done live in a concert.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Lean, clean and bluesy. Managed to take a subtle swipe at both Watergate and the Vietnam Conflict in the same line and not appear preachy. The reprise of "Who'll Stop the Rain" (UFAH) at the end is a classic device, reminiscent of the Beatle Guys reprising "She Love You" in "All You Need is Love."

"Memories, oh those memories... Almost my life... How did he know!?"

TRIVIA:

"Southern Streamline", in which pedal steel gives it the western swing attitude, was the opening track of his awaited comeback album. For many, the intro of the song was the first musical snippet they heard off the awaited new album, "Blue Moon Swamp".

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"OK, so this might be "Bad Moon Rising" revisited, but it brightly kicks off a wonderful selection of songs on the "Blue Moon Swamp" album. It also features some fancy picking by JF, along with catchy lyrics and more great imagery."

"Just a happy, feel-good song. It makes you want to sing along. (Although, that can be said for a lot of John's songs.) The guitar work is absolutely wonderful. Lots of variety in sound and style. An extremely clean and well produced sound."

TRIVIA:

No wonder that this song made the Top 10. As early as April-May 1997 while the first samples of the "Blue Moon Swamp" album were released, many prestigeous old fans regarded the song as the best one on the new album.

Simply, the song tells of a party in the country. The guitar player named Dooley (perhaps JCF's alter ego?) plays far into night until the sheriff comes and tells him to leave.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"A merry song built up on a simple, unforgettable guitar-riff, like on "Born on The Bayou" and "Down On The Corner"."

"The imagery here is outstanding. Road side juke joint. The main guitar riff is simple and almost funky. This is another example (there have been so many in the CCR/JF catalogue) that features a main guitar riff that is instantly identifiable (BOTB, GR, OMDTR, UATB, etc.) and very catchy. When I play the BMS cd and this song is about to start, I'll start humming that guitar riff."

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Another feel-good song that makes you want to sing along. It captures the feel of a simpler time for both the world and for music. One can just imagine John and three buddies sitting down in Sam Phillips studio in Memphis to make a hit record. He has really captured the feel of what he was after."

"So easy to sing along. And thinking about the good memories that left from the first concert from John I ever attended. It was in DeerCreek Indianapolis, June 1998. It was a wonderful night. Thinking about the good company I had that night. The wonderful atmosphere at the Deer Creek outdoor theatre. And not to forget that we attended a big part of the sound check. Everytime I listen to "Blue Moon Nights" I have to think about that night."

"It's a Fogerty 'love' song. Hopeless romantics can really appreciate it."

TRIVIA:

The world premiere as a live version of this standard by Fogerty took place at New Orleans Jazz Fest, April 1998. On the Premonition Tour that was launched a couple months of later the rendition was one of the highlights of the "Premonition" Tour 1998.

"Jambalaya" turned out the best cut off his 1973 country and gospel album, "Blue Ridge Rangers".

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"JCF's fine tribute to The Man, Hank Williams. JCF's live version of "Jambalaya" on 1998 Premonition Tour was absolutely great."

"He can make that ole Hank's song rock. Leaves ya speechless and stunned."

TRIVIA:

Fogerty was asked what he saw when he wrote this song? He said: "I see a guy driving down a long, lonesome highway through the desert at night. And the stars are out and maybe there's a little hint of a moon and he's got the radio on, just cruising ... the great American past time."

The guitar riff is a reminiscent from a 60's garage song, "California Sun", covered later by Ramones.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Great construction of the intro and transition to the driving rhythme. I enjoy it sooo much to sing along. Everytime I hear that song I see my self sitting in a BIG car driving in the moonlight with alot of goodlooking girls. When the guitar solos are coming I see the car driving on curvy roads. Absolutely the top."

"Reminds me of how much fun my Chevy Corvette always is!!"

TRIVIA:

The #13 song is one of the best gospel performances of John Fogerty. Perhaps due to an almost holy feeling of it, many put this album on their record player and play this song - and nothing else.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Very catchy and provides a feel for the themes of John's music."

TRIVIA:

The song was released as a single in March 1973. It only peaked at #37 in the US. However, in Belgium it climbed up to the 11th position.

"Hearts of Stone" is the third best song of the survey that he has never done live in the concert.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"When I listen(ed) to this song...it seems like it's HIS song - not HIM doing someone elses song."

TRIVIA:

According to Fogerty, the song tells of 14-15 year old girls who go to rock concerts and listen to the rock and roll records. The single once peaked at #20 in America and was a part of the fine A side of the "Centerfield" album.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Not really a typical JF song in my mind, but a great pop tune. A great little sax solo from a guy that hardly plays."

"Straight from the pages of CCR."

"Memories."

TRIVIA:

Casual fans perhaps don't necessary know this marvellous guitar song very well. The piece was cut back in 1973 and was only released as a single. It sounds noisy and hard rocking. According to an interview, Fogerty purposely wanted a hard edge to it.

The song is his best non-albumed single.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"After CCR disbanded this was the first indication (at least to me), that John Fogerty was still going on. Besides, it's good rock'n'roll!"

"Reminds me of "It Came Out Of The Sky". It has just the right melodie, so you can sing it along as loud as you can."

"Another underrated song. This is what a Rock n' Roll song should sound like. If John would have arranged/produced this song for "Blue Moon Swamp", I think it would knock everybodies socks off."

"Where's the band? Who cares."

TRIVIA:

Despite one of the all-time best John Fogerty song intros and juicy rhythm guitar work, the Stonesque song earned perhaps surprisingly low position on our chart.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Because it's sooo different from what I would've expected it to be... and it's sooo good! There's something about the song, and the lyrics, that kinda 'haunt' me. Hard to explain."

"It's psychic stuff."

TRIVIA:

The world premiere of this song as a live version by John Fogerty probably took place in Indianapolis 6/13/98. The live version is a little different and more hard rocking than the original studio cut. Judging by the concert report released on this list, the live version was one of the positive surprises on the "Premonition" Tour 1998.

Fogerty said the first versions of the song sounded too country. He went back and started over again until he finally came up with Buddy Holly, Bobby Fuller Four, Texas-kinda feel.

REASONS BY VOTERS:

"Makes me feel good after a very long week. Makes me want to get up and dance."

TRIVIA:

Unlike other songs on the "Blue Moon Swamp" album, this Stonesque song features a great old-fashioned organ solo, one of the highlights of the album.

TRIVIA:

The rockabilly song is one of the greatest tunes devoted to Elvis Presley and one of the nuggets on the the prestigeous A side of the "Centerfield" album.

REASONS BY VOTERS: 

"First, it's a really cool song about Elvis. Second, it reminds me of listening to the radio at night when I was a little kid. I was supposed to be in bed asleep, but instead I was listening to rock and roll on the radio under my pillow."