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!".
Feelin' Blue
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soakin' wet fever in my brain.
Now, I ain't certain which way to go,
But I got to move, sure.
[Chorus:]
Feelin' blue, blue, blue, blue, blue.
Feelin' blue, blue, blue, blue, blue.
I'm feelin' blue. I'm feelin' blue.
Hey, look over yonder behind the wall,
They're closin' in I'm about to fall.
Now I'm no coward, but I ain't no cool
Feel it in my bones, my book is due.
[Chorus]
Hey, look over yonder, up in the tree,
There's a rope hangin' just for me.
Without a warnin', without a warnin',
Things are pilin' up to break me down.
[Chorus]
Hey, look over yonder, out in the street,
People laughin' by, walkin' easy.
Now, I'm no sinner, but I ain't no saint.
If it's happy, you can say I ain't.
[Chorus]
I'm feelin' blue (x6)
The song "Feelin' Blue" by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a classic blues-rock tune that conveys the feeling of being lost and alone. The song opens with the singer looking out in the rain, feeling soaked and feverish in his brain. He is uncertain of which direction to take, but he knows he needs to move on from his current state. The repetition of "feelin' blue" in the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer is feeling down, lost, and perhaps even depressed.
The second verse takes a turn towards a sense of impending danger as the singer sees that he is being closed in and about to fall. Although he declares himself not a coward, he feels a deep sense of fear and apprehension. His "book is due," suggesting that he may be facing some kind of deadline or obligation that is causing him stress.
The third verse takes a darker turn as the singer sees a rope hanging for him in a nearby tree. Things are "piling up to break him down," and there seems to be no escape from the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that he is feeling. The final verse sees the singer observing the world around him, feeling like a sinner but not quite a saint. He is not one of the happy people walking by, but rather someone deep in the throes of depression.
Overall, "Feelin' Blue" is a powerful song about the struggle of navigating through difficult times in life, even when it seems like there is no way out. It captures the feeling of being lost, alone, and isolated with its haunting lyrics and bluesy sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, look over yonder out in the rain,
Observing my surroundings and seeing that it's raining heavily.
Soakin' wet fever in my brain.
Feeling agitated and distressed mentally due to the overwhelming situation.
Now, I ain't certain which way to go,
Feeling lost and confused about the next step to take in the current situation.
But I got to move, sure.
Having the conviction to take action despite the confusion and uncertainty.
[Chorus:]
Refraining from naming a particular incident, but outlining the overall mood and feeling of the songwriter.
Hey, look over yonder behind the wall,
Spotting a potential danger or obstacle lurking behind a wall.
They're closin' in I'm about to fall.
Feeling helpless and threatened by the imminent danger or obstacle.
Now I'm no coward, but I ain't no cool
Acknowledging one's strengths and weaknesses, while accepting the current vulnerable state.
Feel it in my bones, my book is due.
Sensing the passage of time, and the responsibility to fulfill an obligation.
[Chorus]
Reiterating the prevailing mood and feeling of the songwriter.
Hey, look over yonder, up in the tree,
Spotting a potential danger or escape route atop a tree.
There's a rope hangin' just for me.
Feeling as if there is a way out or a solution visible, but unsure of its significance.
Without a warnin', without a warnin',
Being caught off guard by a new unforeseen situation.
Things are pilin' up to break me down.
Experiencing piling up of issues and worries, which may cause a breakdown or collapse.
[Chorus]
Continuing to express the predominant feeling of the songwriter.
Hey, look over yonder, out in the street,
Observing people in the street, wondering about their carefree demeanor.
People laughin' by, walkin' easy.
Feeling envious of people who seem to be enjoying life without a care.
Now, I'm no sinner, but I ain't no saint.
Realizing that one isn't perfect and has flaws, but not being an inherently bad person.
If it's happy, you can say I ain't.
Admitting the current unhappiness, despite the aspiration to be happy.
[Chorus]
Concluding the song by emphasizing the feeling of being blue.
I'm feelin' blue (x6)
Repeating the song's main message of being in a sad, melancholic state.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: J. FOGERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Knight
My 3 yr old granddaughter heard me singing this song. She asked so I YouTube it. When it started playing, she laid the phone in the middle of the floor and started dancing and singing along. Yep. Spread the CCR love!!
Herry
Good to see she's going to get a good education👌👌👌👌👌 Keep up the good work ma man👌👌👌👌👌
Vicki RI
I was doing the same thing when my big brother was playing this song in 1969 and I was two!
friki friki
Va por buen camino su nieta excelente música john fogerty ccr 🤘✌️
Robert Anderson
One of my personal favorite CCR jam's too. And I couldn't agree more. It's very underated. It deserves some air time!!!
Carol Fields
No matter what kind of crappy mood I may fall in when I hear a CCR song I'm immediately placed in a better place. I will never quit listening to CCR
ClassicRock4EVER
Couldnt agree more! There is NOT a song that I dont like by CCR. Some I like more than others but love them all! (can't honestly say that about most bands) And this song is definitely one of my favs!
Gary Lockard
You and me too sister !...
Juan34123 Peres
Carol Fields this is Real music carol.i been listening CCR.Ufff!! FOR years.in. my country.in central América they loved .bring back great memories.
Montgomery Denzer
my girl