The song has been recorded by at least 20 different artists, in styles ranging from folk to reggae to psychedelic rock.
In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 364 on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
It is one of five songs by the band that peaked at the #2 spot on the U.S. Billboard chart and did not get to #1. It was blocked by "Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet" by Henry Mancini.
On the 2013 John Fogerty album, Wrote a Song for Everyone, the song is included featuring the Zac Brown Band.
"Bad Moon Rising" uses weather imagery to make the point that something bad is lurking "out there."
Fogerty reportedly wrote the song after watching the 1941 film The Devil and Daniel Webster. It was inspired by a scene in the film in which a hurricane destroys the crops of several farms, but spares those of Jabez Stone (James Craig), the character in the film who makes a deal with the devil in exchange for wealth. Fogerty claims the song is about "the apocalypse that was going to be visited upon us". He also said that when the band was learning the song he recognized the dichotomy between the apocalyptic words and the happy melody. He said "It wasn't until the band was learning the song that I realized the dichotomy. Here you've got this song with all these hurricanes and blowing and raging ruin and all that, but it's 'I see a bad moon rising.' It's a happy-sounding tune, right? It didn't bother me at the time."
In 1969, the American music and entertainment magazine Billboard described the single as being "loaded with rhythm and drive" and predicted it "[couldn't] miss going right to the top." Cash Box, another contemporary music trade magazine, described it as a "blazing bayou-rock outing" that is "louder and bolder" than the group's previous single "Proud Mary." Cash Box ranked it as the #51 single of 1969.
The song has been referenced numerous times by the Plants vs. Zombies franchise, including a use in an advertisement for Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 and an aptly-named trick card in Plants vs. Zombies Heroes. The song also appears in a 2023 TV commercial for Toyota.
Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today
Don't go around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
I hear hurricanes a-blowin'
I know the end is comin' soon
I fear rivers over flowin'
I hear the voice of rage and ruin
Don't go around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise, alright
Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we're in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye
Well don't go around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
Don't come around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising" lyrics describe a sense of unease and foreboding. The imagery in the song is of natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, which signal the coming of bad times. The tone of the song is ominous and dark, with the singer warning listeners not to go out because the bad moon will take their lives.
The song can be interpreted as a warning of the consequences of humanity's destruction of nature. If we continue to harm the environment, we will witness the terrible aftermath, as evidenced in the natural disasters that the lyrics describe. The "voice of rage and ruin" could also be a reference to people's anger and frustration at the state of the world.
The line "hope you are quite prepared to die" adds an even graver tone to the song, suggesting that the end is near and people should be ready for it. The repetition of the warning not to go out emphasizes the danger that the "bad moon" represents.
All in all, "Bad Moon Rising" is a powerful song that uses vivid language and palpable images to convey a sense of dread and urgency.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the bad moon a-risin'
I see darkness, despair and misfortune on the horizon
I see trouble on the way
I see imminent danger and difficulty approaching
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see natural disasters and destructive forces at play
I see bad times today
I see a grim, unpleasant present and future
Don't go around tonight
Stay inside and avoid venturing outside during the ominous time
Well it's bound to take your life
It is quite likely that you will suffer fatal consequences
There's a bad moon on the rise
The ominous moon symbolizes and foretells of impending doom
I hear hurricanes a-blowin'
I hear violent winds and storms approaching
I know the end is comin' soon
I am convinced the world is approaching its end soon
I fear rivers over flowin'
I am afraid of rivers overflowing and causing widespread destruction
I hear the voice of rage and ruin
I hear the sound of fury and the destruction it is causing
Hope you got your things together
I hope you have organized and prepared yourself for what is to come
Hope you are quite prepared to die
I hope you have made your peace with your fate and are ready for the end
Looks like we're in for nasty weather
It appears that a terrible storm is approaching
One eye is taken for an eye
Revenge is sought for past wrongs, resulting in further violence and destruction
Don't come around tonight
It is strongly advised that you avoid coming out during this ominous time
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John C. Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@skelter1153
My Band used to play a Specific Car Show every year at a Golf Course in Central California.
We played all the Rock 'N Roll Hits from the 60's 70's and a few from the 80's...
and without fail, "Bad Moon Rising"
would always get the Ladies on the
Dance Floor, up and moving...
...and then we'd keep em there with
songs like: "Twist and Shout,"
"Rockin' Robin," "Build Me Up Buttercup,"
"Brown Eyed Girl" [Etc.]
(The open Bar helped also) 🤣
@salinagrrrl69
I see the bad moon a-risin'
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today
Don't go around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
I hear hurricanes a-blowin'
I know the end is comin' soon
I fear rivers over flowin'
I hear the voice of rage and ruin
@philijoe
This song was written in 1969, the year I was in Viet Nam. It could have been written yesterday. Its message is the same today as it was then. "I know the end is coming soon, I feel the river overflowing, I can hear the voice of rage and ruin." History doesn't repeat itself but it sure as hell rhymes.
@mikefarquhar5063
I love that how you put it, history doesn't repeat, it sure as he'll ryhms! Fuckjng brilliant!
@reggieoakley7405
Also a Vietnam vet, played that song over and over again in a bar in downtown San Diego when I got back from my first ture. Still brings tears to my eyes
@jeffyork9843
Thank you for your service sir.
@Voucher765
Upmost respect
@aaronposter6852
Thank you, sir.
@cosmoloveswanda69
Welcome home.
@nathanwatt3513
When my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Just before he passed away I would play this song to him on the weekends and it would make him feel a little bit better because this was one of his favourite songs.I miss you dad
@BAM-jc7uy
the Lord bless you and comfort you Nathan...just by sharing this, reveals your kindness and thoughtfulness and a comfort you were to your dad....this is also one of the songs listed I want played to me if I am in pain or comatose. Be well and kind and pray to the Lord to help you during unexpected times of grieving and tears...crying to the Lord for comfort, the Lord saves your tears ...Psalm56.8
@johnland1528
So sorry for ur loss