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!".
Gloomy
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people cry alone
Some people talk without sayin' a thing
And everything turns out gloomy
Some people count your money
Someone is countin' your days
And somebody got to keep track of your mind
Brothers'll make you look sideways
Fathers'll make you look back
And when you're done talking
You still got to shoot
'Cause everything turns out gloomy
Mmhmm
Mmhmm
The song "Gloomy" by Creedence Clearwater Revival explores the various challenges and struggles one faces in life. The opening verse sets the tone by acknowledging that some people find humor even when times are tough, while others suffer silently. The next line speaks to those who talk without really saying anything, embodying a feeling of emptiness and loneliness.
As the song progresses, it highlights how different people can have control over one's life. Someone may be counting your money or your days, while others may try to control your thoughts or actions. These external forces can make everything seem gloomy, and even when you're finished talking, taking action is still required.
The song carries a heavier meaning than the typical upbeat, catchy tunes Creedence Clearwater Revival is known for, exploring the darker nuances of life. With its haunting melody and melancholic lyrics, "Gloomy" paints a bleak picture of the world, highlighting the pervasive feelings of sadness and despair that many people experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people laugh in the dark
There are individuals who try to put up a façade of being happy, even when they are in a symbolically dark place in their life.
Some people cry alone
In contrast to the ones who try to be strong, there are people who break down in silence and solitude.
Some people talk without sayin' a thing
Some individuals are well-versed in making empty conversation that leads to no meaningful outcome.
And everything turns out gloomy
All these behaviors contribute to a general sense of despair or negative energy.
Some people count your money
Some people are more preoccupied with material wealth than your emotional wellbeing.
Someone is countin' your days
Along with monetary value, some people are also more interested in keeping track of your life’s progress or longevity.
And somebody got to keep track of your mind
Lastly, there are people who feel the need to monitor your thoughts and decision-making process.
When everything turns out gloomy
All of these monitoring and judgmental attitudes can contribute to a negative environment.
Brothers'll make you look sideways
Even family members can make you feel uncomfortable or suspicious.
Fathers'll make you look back
Fathers can be particularly difficult to reconcile with, bringing up old, painful memories.
And when you're done talking
Even after discussion, there can still be unresolved issues.
You still got to shoot
Sometimes, despite communication, violent or aggressive behavior is still necessary.
'Cause everything turns out gloomy
Overall, these aspects of human behavior can contribute to a dark, hopeless atmosphere.
Mmhmm
An affirmative or resigned statement implying agreement with the previous sentiments.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob
What a great song this is, I've loved it since first hearing it when I first bought the album when it was new. Incidentally this album was freaky for us when it was new.
itsmissyvonne
LOL. I was six, I think....and was living in Monkeeland and Beatleland, and then I heard Suzie Q. I thought, this sounds nasty - and I like it. Shook some stuff loose in a little girl. :) I like it.
Hangman Official
I'm from '95, this is my first time hearing the whole album and not just Suzie Q. I'm super interested to hear what the experience as like for you guys when it was new. Like what was the impact? Your memory of it and whatnot. I'm wildly curious.
Hangman Official
@Manuel Robles Netherlands, but grew up in Hungary.
so what
I’m a CCR fan but I listen to the hits. This song popped up on my feed the other day and I had never heard it. Incredible. I’m diving into the catalogue now. CCR is legendary and never got the credit they deserved. Amazing band.
Kent Clark
This song has so many interesting twists and turns. What guitar riffs!
MattHatter
Again....the first album is FAR too underrated. Even with "I Put A Spell On You" and "Susie Q." being on the album, it doesn't get the accolades the rest of their catalog gets. The slight San Francisco psychedelia laced through the songs makes it unique. And good gosh, Fogerty was an awesome guitarist. He never gets enough credit either!
Dennis Hibu
Every single album I have bought from ccr is consistently good and very good at that
Dennis Hibu
I just got Willy and the poor boys and
Green river
Dulcimerist
The album cuts are super good! They never put "filler music" songs on their albums to add running time. All of the songs on their albums are well worth the listen!