In Canada, the single reached #4 in December 1969, and #5 in New Zealand. The song performed better in much of Continental Europe, where it made #2 in Germany, #9 in Austria, #8 in the Netherlands, #17 in Flemish-speaking Belgium and #6 in French-speaking Belgium than in the United Kingdom, where it stalled at #31.
The song depicts the fictional band Willy and the Poor Boys, and how they play on street corners to cheer people up and ask for nickels.
Songwriter John Fogerty explained how the lyrics were derived:
"{I} was kind of inspired by seeing an advertisement in the paper one day,” he says. “It was an ad from Disney that said in great big letters ‘Winnie the Pooh’. Something in my brain said ‘Winnie the Pooh and the Pooh Boys’. Obviously, that was close to ‘Willy and the Poor Boys’. As I began to develop this idea it turned into music in that weird mystical, almost uncontrollable way, music comes to songwriters. Winnie the Pooh is still my favorite character who I’ve shared with my daughter Kelsy since the day she was born, though she's growing out of it. But I'm not."
The song makes reference to a harmonica, washboard, a kazoo, a Kalamazoo guitar, and a gut bass. In a 1969 appearance on The Music Scene, the band performed the song dressed up as “Willy and the Poor Boys”. Stu Cook played a gut bass, Doug Clifford the washboard, and Tom Fogerty the Kalamazoo, which mimicked the appearance of the band as they appear on the album cover.
Billboard described the single as having "an infectious calypso beat."
Down On The Corner
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind
Four kids on the corner tryin' to bring you up
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while
Poor Boy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo
And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
You don't need a penny just to hang around
But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?
Over on the corner there's a happy noise
People come from all around to watch the magic boy
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
The lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Down On The Corner" depict the lively atmosphere of a street corner where a band called Willy and the Poor Boys are playing music, and people are gathered around to enjoy it. The first verse sets the scene, "Early in the evenin' just about supper time, Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind, Four kids on the corner tryin' to bring you up, Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp." The image of four kids trying to bring people's spirits up with music is a hopeful one, indicating that things aren't perfect but there are still ways to find joy and enjoyment.
The chorus emphasizes the infectiousness of the music, with the repeated line "Bring a nickel, tap your feet" encouraging listeners to participate in the fun. The following verses describe each member of the band and their instrument, highlighting the talent and energy they bring to the scene. The final verse emphasizes the inclusive nature of the gathering, with the line "You don't need a penny just to hang around, But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?" suggesting that everyone is welcome and can contribute in their own way.
Overall, "Down On The Corner" paints a picture of a vibrant and welcoming community centered around music and togetherness.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the evenin' just about supper time
It's early evening, nearly time for supper.
Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind
There are people starting to relax and unwind near the courthouse.
Four kids on the corner tryin' to bring you up
There are four children on the corner trying to cheer you up.
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp
Willy is playing a tune on his harmonica.
Down on the corner
The musicians are playing on the street corner.
Out in the street
The musicians are playing their music openly outside.
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
The band playing on the corner includes Willy and the Poor Boys.
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
If you have a nickel, come and enjoy the music and rhythm on the street corner.
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile
Rooster is playing the washboard and people can't help but smile at the sound.
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while
Blinky is playing the bass guitar and is doing a solo for a while.
Poor Boy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo
Poor Boy is playing a rhythm on his kalamazoo, a type of guitar.
And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo
Willy starts dancing and is also playing the kazoo.
You don't need a penny just to hang around
You don't need to pay anything to enjoy the atmosphere on the street corner.
But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?
If you have a nickel, you're encouraged to spend it and support the musicians.
Over on the corner there's a happy noise
The street corner is filled with joyful sounds.
People come from all around to watch the magic boy
Many people come from different places to see the young talented musician perform.
Down on the corner
The musicians are still playing on the street corner.
Out in the street
Their music is still being played out in the open street.
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
The same band is still playing their music on the corner.
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Come and enjoy the music and rhythm with a small payment of a nickel.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ptichkalug
When my daughter heard this song for the first time, she was 3 months old. Now she is 3.5 years and she still adores this song. She starts to smile and dance right away :) My parents tell me that I loved this song when I was a little girl too :)
@henrikhansen2089
So nice
I am danish and I been in love since my teenage year whit CCR. every time that my life is up the hill as we say in DK
Then I listen to CCR. Quick I am back again in good vipes.
Whit love..
@traceynorth7947
I was born in 67 my mom and dad where very young so I listened to what they did and im 55 and can say if i want feel good and nostalgic i just listen to Credence i cant help but feel good
@marmadukescarlet7791
When my nephew was learning to talk, he used to say, “Corner! Corner!” To get my brother to play this song.
@rossi2013
Damn this warmed my heart. Hope you're all ok and healthy. Much love from the UK 🍻
@kendallcoleman839
A smart girl.
@fr2ncm9
This the kind of music we need right now.
@ifreezun
@fr2ncm9 Agreed
@tomdench3523
Agreed
@gamespc7880
Screw pop, rap, hip-hop, and country music and put on some good rock and roll music.