It Ain't Right

Background

"It Ain't Right" is the ninth track of Revival, the eight solo album of John Fogerty with new material. It was also his first CD containing previously unreleased songs since rejoining Fantasy Records in 2005. The piece was written, arranged and produced by John Fogerty and recorded by Jim Scott, Seth Presant and Ryan Freeland at NRG Recording in North Hollywood. The album was released in October 2007. It reached #14 in the USA, #5 in Sweden and #6 in Norway.  

Fogerty recalled he didn't have any sincular person in his mind while writing a modern Sun Records rockabilly "It Ain't Right" which takes a swipe at the cluelessness of the celebrity culture. The song also criticizes the US media which focus on entertainment news at the cost of other items (Jim Ladd, interview with John Fogerty, KLOS, Los Angeles, September 27th, 2007).

Personnel

Vocals, guitar: John Fogerty

Guitar: Hunter Perrin

Bass: David Santos

Drums, percussion: Kenny Aronof

Live versions

Fogerty played "It Ain't Right" in more than one dozen concerts between autumn 2007 and summer 2009, including such prestigious places as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (December 5, 2007). The world premiere took place in St. Louis on November 30th, 2007.

Radio listeners in Italy enjoyed a live version of "It Ain't Right" on July 26th, 2009. A part of the John Fogerty show in a historical Toscana town named Lucca was broadcast live by the Italian public radio RAI. It was also the last time Fogerty performed the song on stage.

Critical reception

"Throughout the endeavor, Fogerty doesn’t resist playing to his strengths, and consequently, it would be easy to criticize him for so flagrantly redeploying the moves that worked so well for him in the past. It Ain’t Right, for example, is a more aggressive stab at his Buck Owens-meets-Sun Studio brand of country rock ---." -John Metzger, The Music Box, September 25th, 2007. 

"Nothing more to say about “It Ain’t Right” followed by “I Can’t Take It No More,” except to echo Dave Letterman --- and add that I have never in my life been so thrilled and delighted and enjoyed myself more in under three and a half minutes (with my clothes on)." -Charles Andrews, Audio Video Revolution, November 1st, 2007. 

"John Fogerty’s core strengths, however, remain vital and vigorous: a voice as capable of howling as warbling and a style of electric guitar playing that is the most unique blend of country and blues of his generation. “It Ain’t Right’ and “Natural Thing,” exhibit those attributes as well as the mesh of the band and the impeccable sound quality –courtesy in part no doubt to Bob Ludwig’s mastering but most credit for which should go to Fogerty as producer." -Doug Collette, The Glide, November 26th, 2007. 

Fans' views

"Rockabilly with an edge. Short song, only 1:49 and ends abruptly. --- Spoiled rich kids in rehab is the theme of this song."

"Great little rocker - and only a minute and 49 seconds! Late 50s style guitar breaks."

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