These members played together since 1959, first as The Blue Velvets, then as The Golliwogs. Their musical style encompassed the roots rock, swamp rock, and blues rock genres. They played in a Southern rock style, despite their San Francisco Bay Area origin, with lyrics about bayous, catfish, the Mississippi River, and other popular elements of Southern United States iconography, as well as political and socially conscious lyrics about topics including the Vietnam War. The band performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival in Upstate New York.
The group disbanded acrimoniously in late 1972 after four years of chart-topping success. Tom Fogerty had officially left the previous year, and his brother John was at odds with the remaining members over matters of business and artistic control, all of which resulted in subsequent lawsuits among the former bandmates. Fogerty's ongoing disagreements with Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz created further protracted court battles, and John Fogerty refused to perform with the two other surviving members at CCR's 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Creedence Clearwater Revival's music is still a staple of US radio airplay; the band has sold 26 million albums in the United States alone. Rolling Stone ranked them 82nd on its Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.
John Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook met at Portola Junior High School in El Cerrito, California. Calling themselves the Blue Velvets, the trio began playing instrumentals and "juke box standards", as well as backing Fogerty's older brother Tom at live gigs and in the recording studio. Tom soon joined the band, and in 1964 they signed with Fantasy Records, an independent jazz label in San Francisco that had released Cast Your Fate To The Wind, a national hit for jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. The record's success was the subject of a National Educational Television special, which prompted budding songwriter John Fogerty to contact the label. For the band's first release, Fantasy co-owner Max Weiss renamed the group the Golliwogs (after the children's literary character, Golliwogg).
Bandmembers' roles and the instruments they played changed during this period. Stu Cook switched from piano to bass guitar and Tom Fogerty from lead vocals to rhythm guitar; John became the band's lead vocalist and primary songwriter. In Tom Fogerty's words: "I could sing, but John had a sound!".
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
Gary Beauchamp
I married in 1970 and Creedence was the music of our early marriage, our honeymoon music, we were married for 42 years until my wife passed. I still love Creedence and Fogerty's solo music over the years.
D J,
Those were the days , i was in Junior high in 71'
bigbilltoady
So sorry to hear that. Life will always have its joyful days and its days of deep sadness. God Bless
Derek M. Theriault
I am so very sorry for the loss of your wife Gary.
Elliot Tucker
@Julio Quinn happy to help :)
Warren Witkowski
One of the best bands ever.
Mafasah
@fshoaps CCR > The Beatles
Moon Gazer
100% American
Dookie Person
Keith Dukes, I agree
Stefano Fratini
Music that transcends time and places. I’m a 30 years old Italian guy, my dad had all their LPs and I’ve grown up listening to those tunes. Went to the US two years ago, playing CCR endlessly while riding...that’s so good.