You Rascal You
Background
"You Rascal You" is an album track on John Fogerty, the first LP he released after signing with Asylum Records. The song was recorded at Wally Heider Recording in San Francisco and engineered by David Coffin. Fogerty plays all the instruments by himself.
The number is one of the three cover songs on John Fogerty. It was written by New Orleans blues singer and songwriter “Lovin’” Sam Theard who recorded it with Cow Cow Davenport in 1929.
In the radio interview right after the release of the album, John Fogerty admitted he wouldn't have done "You Rascal You" with Creedence Clearwater. Anyway, he said he loves the song. As for the "Auld Lang Syne" intro in front of the song, he just did it because it was funky and crazy and didn't appear in other songs (KSAN, San Francisco, October 18th, 1975).
Trivia
The John Fogerty version of the song opens with a snippet from "Auld Lang Syne".
Collector's notes
The John Fogerty album is only available as an imported item in the USA.
Live versions
John Fogerty has never performed the song live in concert.
Critical reception
"Fogerty's tongue-in-cheek vocals always make me laugh. Or is he really wishing happily that someone kicks the bucket --- I find it very difficult to classify this song, but I love the opening bars of "Auld Lang Syne" (I think) and the great horn instruments." -Matt Loewen.
Written by Sam Theard.
Recorded at Wally Heider Recording, San Francisco, CA, USA, in 1975.
Appears on the John Fogerty album.
Released in October 1975.