Headlines

Background

"Headlines" is a track on Eye of the Zombie, the fourth solo album of John Fogerty. Like all songs on the LP, "Headlines" was recorded at The Lighthouse in North Hollywood, California, and engineered by Jeffrey Norman. The album came out in September 1986 and reached #26 in the USA. 

Fogerty left the optimism of Centerfield behind and changed his mood on Eye of the Zombie. "I wanted to do a record that was darker, a little moodier," he said in an interview by The Orlando Sentinel in October 19th, 1986. Fogerty admitted in his autobiography (2015) that the dark, spooky mood of the album was also a consequence of his legal and personal problems at that time. 

Between the two albums, Fogerty moved from Bay Area to Los Angeles. His office at Warner Brothers was downstairs in the basement, where he wrote in the evening and nights. He also wanted to be more current and increase the use of drum machines and synths on the album. Fogerty had a guitar and a couple of synthesizers in his office.

Of Eye of the Zombie songs, "Headlines" probably represents the most traditionalist approach. The hard rocker could have easily fit to any album of Bad Company. It's also one of the angry songs of the LP where  the critique is targeted towards the media. 

Personnel

Lead guitar, vocals: John Fogerty

Drums, percussion: John Robinson

Bass: Neil Stubenhaus

Eye of the Zombie was the first album during his solo career when Fogerty didn't play everything by himself. 

Live versions

John Fogerty played "Headlines" live on Rockin' All Over the World Tour in autumn 1986 in the USA and Canada. The world premiere took place in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 27th, 1986. Like all numbers off Eye of the Zombie, except "Change in the Weather",  "Headlines" disappeared from the programming of John Fogerty for good after the tour was over.  

Critical reception

"--- a refried boogie riff posing as a song --- featuring Fogerty shrieking about news reports ---"  -Anthony DeCurtis, The Rolling Stone, November 20th, 1986. 

"This hard-driving song is my favorite on the album, for many reasons. The basic riff is excellent, and the guitar moments soar with energy. The lyrics and vocals are great, and the ending is the best of any Fogerty solo tune - I'm in the school of thought that feels every song has the right to a decent finish!" -Matt Loewen.

"Okay, if we want to be completely sincere, 'Headlines' isn't that bad a song, too, but still, I've heard better." -George Starostin.

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