You're the Reason

Background

“You're the Reason” is a country song on the first solo album of John Fogerty. He released it as The Blue Ridge Rangers. The song was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley and engineered by Skip Shimmin and Russ Gary. The LP came out in April 1973. It peaked at #47 in the USA. 

Recorded by Bobby Edwards, "You're the Reason" reached the Country Top 10 in 1961. John Fogerty heard it from the radio. He liked the plaintive sound in Edward's voice that he regarded as really pure and nice. While recording the song, the former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival didn't emulate the original version completely but added a bit of Hank Williams into it. (John Fogerty promotional interview, 1973)

Live versions

John Fogerty has never played the song live in concerts.    

Critical reception

""You're The Reason" and "Jambalaya" are country & western rather than old timey, bluegrass or straight country. He plays them harder than the originals ---." . -Jon Landau, The Rolling Stone, July 5th, 1973

"I once read a review that said Fogerty's voice wasn't well-suited for country music - I think this song proves the critic wrong! The ending is too long and weak, but still an enjoyable song." -Matt Loewen.

"--- one of the more forgettable numbers, a slow, pedal-steel driven love ditty ---." -George Starostin.

previous | next