In Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs" issue, Fogerty explained that the song originated when Creedence Clearwater Revival were booked at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom in 1968. Said Fogerty: "We were the #7 act on the bill, bottom of the totem pole. And as the first guys to go on, we were the last to soundcheck before they opened the doors. It was like, 'Here's the drums, boom, boom; here's the guitar, clank, clank.' I looked over at the guys and said, 'Hey, follow this!' Basically, it was the riff and the attitude of 'Born on the Bayou,' without the words." Drummer Doug Clifford remembers it happening in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Born on the Bayou
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
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(Yeah, hey, you sounded good to me)
(Sounded like)
(You've been listening close, haven't yeah)
(Yeah, here you go)
(Yeah)
Now when I was just a little boy
My Poppa said, "Son, don't let the man getcha, do what he done to me
'Cause he'll get ya
Get ya now, now"
And I can remember the Fourth of July
Runnin' through the backwood bay
And I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'
Chasin' down a hoodoo there
Chasin' down a hoodoo there
Born on the Bayou
Born on the Bayou, alright
Born on the Bayou, do, do, do, do
Yeah, wish I was back on the Bayou
Rollin' with some Cajun Queen, Lord
Wishin' I were a fast freight train
Oh, just a-chooglin' on down to New Orleans
Born on the Bayou
Born on the Bayou, alright
Born on the Bayou
Do it, do it, do it, do it
And I can remember the Fourth of July
Runnin' through the backwood bay
And I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'
Chasin' down a hoodoo there
Chasin' down a hoodoo there
Born on the Bayou
Born on the Bayou, alright
Born on the Bayou
Do it, do it, do it, do it
Alright
(Wow, sounded like a bomb going off)
The lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival's song Born On The Bayou tell the story of the singerâs upbringing in the bayou, and the influence it had on him. He remembers his father warning him not to follow in his footsteps and become a victim of the âman.â The singer fondly reminisces about Fourth of July celebrations in the backwoods bayou, where he ran around with his hound dog chasing âhoodoosâ - an African American term for a supernatural creature or spiritual force. He expresses a longing to be back on the bayou, rolling with a Cajun Queen and riding on a fast freight train to New Orleans.
The song is a celebration of the singerâs cultural heritage, and the impact it had on his life. It represents a longing for a simpler way of life, and the freedom to be who you want to be. The bayou symbolizes a place where one can escape the constraints of society and connect with nature and tradition. The song's powerful rhythm and swampy sound convey the raw energy and passion of the bayou's inhabitants.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when I was just a little boy
The singer is reminiscing about his childhood.
Standin' to my daddy's knee
The singer was close to his father.
My Poppa said, "Son, don't let the man getcha, do what he done to me"
The singer's father warned him not to let the system get the best of him.
'Cause he'll get ya
The system will catch and punish you if you don't comply.
'Cause he'll get ya now, now
The artist's father reiterates the point and explains the urgency of following his advice.
And I can remember the Fourth of July
The singer recalls a particular memory from his childhood.
Runnin' through the backwood bay
The singer was playing and running around in nature.
And I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'
The artist remembers details of the memory, like the sound of his dog barking.
Chasin' down a hoodoo there
The artist saw his dog chasing something mysterious or magical.
Born on the Bayou
The artist is proud of his upbringing and the place he comes from.
Wish I were back on the Bayou
The singer feels nostalgic and wants to relive his past.
Rollin' with some Cajun Queen
The artist fantasizes about being with a beautiful Cajun woman.
Wishin' I were a fast freight train
The singer wants to escape and go somewhere fast.
Oh, just a-chooglin' on down to New Orleans
The singer wants to go to New Orleans, and describes it in a fun, musical way.
Alright, do
The song's chorus repeats, urging the listener to keep going and do what they need to do.
Mm okay
A final acknowledgement, as the song ends on a rumination of the past.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John C. Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcosbragini4310
I'm from Argentina, I'm 37 years old and I want to tell you that CCR is my grandmother's favourite band. This music has shaped the youth of 3 generation in this country. CCR is universal
@richardbennett1856
Yes, it translates well to any country with that sound.
BA rocks out anyway.
It's one of the Great Cities.
@daianerviti3563
Oh wow... Greetings from Mar del Plata đ€Ł
@marcosbragini4310
â@@daianerviti3563đđ
@tishhosmer3996
As one grandmother to another kiss for meâ€â€â€Florida
@MikeNash-ej6ke
It reached me on The Apache Rez many moons ago. Classic jams for all people everywhere
@tommy-xq7gu
As a Non-American. Can I just say this song makes me feel the most American Iâve ever felt.
@isaacfeinberg4623
As an American, you are right.
@hangingwithmatty9465
U are now an honorary american
@Schiebroek
@@carolewilson4862 It doesn't matter where in the world you were born. It's the music, not 'being an American'. There is more to this world.
Greetings from 'the old world'.
By the way, the music is beastly and gives a glimpse of Louisiana... I'm happy with it.