Longshot

Background

"Longshot" is the closing track of Revival, the eight solo album of John Fogerty with new material. It was also his first CD with 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.  

John Fogerty admitted the message of "Longshot" is not as importatant as the attitude and the groove. The fellow of the semi-humorous hard-rocker is a working class guy searching for a romance. He doesn't see the relationship is going to go far, that's why he calls it longshot (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 Aronoff

Backing vocals: Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters

Trivia

John Fogerty had difficulties keeping a straight face while explaining the storyline of the song to radio DJ Jim Ladd in an interview for KLOS, Los Angeles, on September 27th, 2007. 

Live versions

John Fogerty performed "Longshot" live for the first time in the opening concert of the Revival Tour at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on November 2nd, 2007. It stayed in the programming until spring 2009 although the frequency of plays decreased significally in 2008 and 2009. 

"Longshot" was also added to the set list in the PBS Soundstage TV concert Fogerty and the band recorded at WTTW Studios in Chicago on November  29th,  2007. It was aired in the USA on February 7th and 14th next year.  

Critical reception

"'Longshot' is a valiant finale – a Fogerty mission statement delivered with raw cheek and whip-crack humour." -Gavin Martin, The Uncut, October 2nd, 2007.

"It’s real hard to follow those two ["It Ain't Right", "I Can't Take It No More"], but it also doesn’t seem like they should close the album, so John wisely offers up “Somebody Help Me” and “Longshot,” musically and lyrically ideal finishers." -Charles Andrews, Audio Video Revolution, November 1st, 2007. 

"Yet Revival boasts bonafide attractions and not wholly superficial ones either. Even in the self-induced throes of the arena-rock grandiosity derivative of latter-day Bob Seger (who could stand to confront his own history),” John Fogerty doesn’t sound like a nostalgia act on  “Longshot,” and he never will. His virtues (including an unwavering commitment to his music) have always been and continue to be timeless." -Doug Collette, The Glide, November 26th, 2007.  

"The album ends with a very rowdy song called “Long Shot”. The lyrics are typical rock n’ roll. The music sounds like the Rolling Stones in a swamp boat." -Upon This Rawk, September 9th, 2008

Fans' views

"Another one you might have heard. Starts off like Kiss' Calling Dr Love, then the riff from Hot Blooded by Foreigner comes in. Cool rock track. Catchy lyrics -should be a single if there's any justice."

"This one reminds me a bit of Bob Seger. It is a great closer to a great album and really rocks."

previous | next