The group dates back to September 1986. The very act of setting up the band took place an hour before Iron Maiden concert in Poznan, when Tomasz "Titus" Pukacki (vocal, bass guitar) met Robert "Litza" Friedrich (backing vocal, guitar) and they decided to sell the entrance tickets. The money they got was in no time spent on cheap Polish wine known locally as "kwas" (English "acid") The line up was then enlarged by Dariusz "Popcorn" Popowicz (guitar) and Maciej "Ślimak" Starosta (drums.) Soon they created a few song such as Barmy Army or Del Rocca which are performed live even these days. Unfortunately, after two months of blissful existence, the band suffered the loss of Titus - the leader, who had been called up to the army. Titus stayed there two years while the rest of the band performed with other bands. Popcorn joined Wolf Spider and Litza became a member of legendary Turbo and later Creation of Death. When Titus was finally released from the army, ACID DRINKERS was reactivated.
They first appeared on stage on 26th August 1989 in Wroclaw at a fairly big metal festival called "Metal Madness". They played three songs during which they remained completely still on stage, which was a pretty shocking idea as for a metal band at that time. The audience was absolutely taken aback. The same year they played only one more gig together with Turbo, Wolf Spider and Gomor.
In the meantime ACID DRINKERS recorded their first demo including Nagasaki Baby, Del Rocca and I Mean Acid. The demo noticed by Tomasz Dziubinski (Metal Mind Productions) was presented at Midem Fair in Cannes. A month later ACID DRINKERS signed a deal with Music for Nations. In 1990 ACID DRINKERS performed at Metalmania Festival in Katowice, which has been the largest metal festival in Eastern Europe for many years. The show was so excellent that not only fans but also critics and journalists regarded it as a triumph. In a blink of an eye the band gained popularity across the whole country. It was even called "Guns'n'Roses at Metallica's speed".
In October 1998 Litza left ACID DRINKERS, soon replaced by Przemyslaw "Perla" Wejmann. The same year the band was awarded "the Best Rock Band of the Year" by Polish Public Television. ACID DRINKERS also received "Fryderyk", the Polish equivalent of Grammy Award in category of "hard’n’heavy" in 1998, 2000, 2004. In 2003 Perla left the band. The place emptied by him was soon taken over by Tomasz ‘Lipa’ Lipnicki, the leader of another famous Polish band – Illusion. When Lipa left the band in march 2004, next guy joined the band. His name is Aleksander “Olass” Mendyk, guitar player from great hardcore band called None.
Acid Drinkers has always been one of the best and the most live-impressive Polish heavy metal bands. It has been estimated that so far they have played over 700 concerts in Poland and abroad. From 1996 to 2003 Acids headlined 7 tours and their audience reached a million of people. They headlined all the important Polish rock and metal festivals. The band supported many international stars, such as Deep Purple (in Katowice 03.06.1996 and 24.06.1998 and 27.06.2004 Legia Stadium-Warsaw), Ian Gillan ("Toolbox In" tour in Poland and Czech Republic December 1991), Megadeth, Bruce Dickinson, Sepultura, Paradise Lost and Slayer. The band has been recognized as the best Polish band of the 90s’ by Polish journalists, readers of Polish rock and metal magazines and, of course, BY FANS.
Line-Up
Tomasz "Titus" Pukacki - lead vocals, bass guitar
Wojciech "Jankiel" Moryto - guitar, bkg vocals
Darek "Popcorn" Popowicz - lead guitar
Maciej "Ślimak" Starosta - drums
Proud Mary
Acid Drinkers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left a good job down in the city
Workin' for the Man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin'
Worryin' 'bout the way things might have been
{Chorus}
Big wheel keep on turnin'
(and we're) Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
II.
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of a city
'Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
III.
If you come down to the River
Bet you're gonna find some people who live
You don't have to worry that you have no money
People on the river are happy to give
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
and we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
and we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
The first verse of "Proud Mary" by Acid Drinkers speaks of the singer leaving a good job in the city, working for 'the man' every night and day. However, it is clear that the singer does not regret leaving as he never lost a minute of sleep worrying about what could have been. This is a commentary on the capitalist society and jobs that don't fulfil one's purpose in life. The chorus goes, "Big wheel keep on turnin', Proud Mary keep on burnin', And we're rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river." The 'big wheel' signifies the relentless grind of life, and the 'Proud Mary' represents a never-ending journey on the river of life. The line "We're rollin', rollin', rollin', on the river" refers to the journey of life, and how it never stops, no matter what hurdles we may face.
In the second verse, the singer talks about cleaning a lot of plates in Memphis and pumping a lot of paint down in New Orleans. But they never saw the good side of a city until they hitched a ride on the riverboat queen. It speaks of exploration and the unknown that awaits, of venturing into new territories, and ultimately how that brings you closer to what is essential in life.
Overall, "Proud Mary" is a song about life's journey, and how the grind of life is never-ending, but one can find happiness and purpose by exploring what is unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Left a good job down in the city
I quit a well-paying job in the city
Workin' for the Man every night and day
I was working tirelessly for a boss or a company
And I never lost one minute of sleepin'
I wasn't stressed or worried about my decision
Worryin' 'bout the way things might have been
I wasn't concerned about what could have happened if I had stayed in that job
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
I have done various odd jobs in Memphis
Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans
I have gone through some tough times in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of a city
I never realized the positive aspects of a city until something changed my perspective
'Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
My perspective changed when I took a ride on a riverboat queen
If you come down to the River
If you visit the river
Bet you're gonna find some people who live
You will find people living by the river
You don't have to worry that you have no money
Don't worry if you don't have any money
People on the river are happy to give
The people living by the river are generous
Big wheel keep on turnin'
A symbolic reference to life's endless cycle
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
Symbolic reference to the river and the people living along it
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Life is a continuous journey full of ups and downs
say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Reiterating the idea that we're constantly moving forward through life
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Another settlement needs your help
Left a good job down in the city
Workin' for the Man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin'
Worryin' 'bout the way things might have been
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
(And we're) Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
II.
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of a city
'Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
III.
If you come down to the River
Bet you're gonna find some people who live
You don't have to worry that you have no money
People on the river are happy to give
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
And we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
And we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Another settlement needs your help
Left a good job down in the city
Workin' for the Man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin'
Worryin' 'bout the way things might have been
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
(And we're) Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
II.
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of a city
'Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Say we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
III.
If you come down to the River
Bet you're gonna find some people who live
You don't have to worry that you have no money
People on the river are happy to give
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
And we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
And we're Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river
Janek Dudzic
Wspaniały!
nothinman
Dzieki za post !
Swietny kawalek !
Poozdro ! DD.
Fabi Sosnowiec
Pozdro! \m/
nothinman
Poozdro ! :) a gdzie Proletaryat na Twoi kanale ? :)
Fabi Sosnowiec
+Daniel Dawid Roslan spoko, jak skończę wrzucać Acid to zajmę się Proletaryatem bo na yt coś go mało ;)
nothinman
myslalem ze juz masz bo w swoim zwiastuniue lecial kawalek "Jak ptak" ..:)
a Houka lubisz ? :) to tez bym prosil ;)
Fabi Sosnowiec
Tak jak w zwiastunie, już wkrótce, niestety brakuje mi trochę czasu żeby więcej wrzucać. Jak na razie mam już ściągniętą muzykę teraz muszę do niej dodawać okładki i przesyłać na yt a to trochę trwa :)
Anna Nieznanow
Best cover of that song in the World 🤣😎🖤
Adrian Szaj
Ogień dym .