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!".
Sinister Purpose
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the moon is hate
I'll be down to get you
Roots of earth will shake
Sinister purpose
Knockin' at your door
Come on, take my hand
Burn away the goodness
You and I remain
Did you see the last war?
Well, here I am again
Sinister purpose
Knockin' at your door
Come on, take my hand
I can set you free
Make you rich and wise
We can live forever
Look into my eyes
Sinister purpose
Knockin' at your door
Come on, take my hand
Mm-mm-mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm-mm
The opening lines of "Sinister Purpose" by Creedence Clearwater Revival set a dark tone, implying danger and malevolence. The lead singer promises to travel to the listener's location despite the stormy weather and the ominous moon. CCR uses nature's elements, such as trees and Earth's roots, to personify the power unleashed by the singer's arrival. The chorus warns of "sinister purpose" that "knocks at your door," and a plea for the listener to take the singer's hand. In the subsequent lines, the singer promises to "burn away the goodness" and make the listener "rich and wise," a promise that leaves the listener with the sense that this partnership comes at a high price.
The verses indicate that the singer has come to the listener before, suggesting this song may be a continuation of a previous track. The lead singer asks if the listener remembers the previous war he alludes to in the lyrics. As the song progresses, the listener is left to determine whether the singer is a menacing force whose motives are unclear or a more benevolent actor with an ulterior motive. With the ambiguous lyrics, listeners are encouraged to use their imagination to interpret and figure out the true pictures of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sky is gray
In dismal times when everything seems bleak
And the moon is hate
And even the moon seems to radiate negativity
I'll be down to get you.
I will come to your aid when you are vulnerable.
Roots of earth will shake.
I will come with force and make an impact in your life.
[Chorus:] Sinister purpose Knockin' at your door;
I have a dark intention and I’m coming for you
Come and take my hand.
Join me on this path to evil and let me guide you.
Burn away the goodness;
Let us rid ourselves of kindness and morality.
You and I remain.
We will be left with nothing but our corrupt selves.
Did you see the last war?
Have you witnessed the destruction that can be caused?
Well, here I am again.
I’m back to spread more chaos and destruction.
[Chorus]
Repeating the warning that I’m coming with a sinister purpose.
I can set you free,
I have the power to release you from the constraints of righteousness.
Make you rich and wise.
I can grant you wealth and knowledge if you join me in my dark plan.
We can live forever;
Together we’ll be immortal in our wicked ways.
Look into my eyes.
Be entranced by my gaze, and let me lead you astray.
[Chorus]
Reiterating the dark motives and intentions of the singer.
Mm-mm-mm-mm...
An ambiguous sound indicating the singer’s pleasure in his wicked deeds.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sotaamaus7484
Lyrics
When the sky is gray
And the moon is hate
I'll be down to get you
Roots of earth will shake.
[Chorus:]
Sinister purpose
Knockin' at your door
Come and take my hand
Burn away the goodness
You and I remain
Did you see the last war?
Well, here I am again.
[Chorus]
I can set you free
Make you rich and wise
We can live forever
Look into my eyes
[Chorus]
Mm-mm-mm-mm...
@Thesp88
This is a fucking heavy tune , it’s right up there with “ she’s so heavy “ - Beatles or any black sabbath stuff 1970 . This is definitely a sinister riff , I can’t never get enough of this band , the more I venture outside of their popular songs , I find gems like this one .
@prestonward4149
Black Sabbath for sure
@IAmisMaster
It's certainly heavy for 1969, but not the heaviest. It's nothing against anything on Blue Cheer's debut, Led Zeppelin's debut, or say King Crimson's song "21st Century Schizoid Man."
@andressaldivar2239
La diferencia que está les vuela el trasero a las mencionadas por ty
@jaffleyfifteen5912
@@IAmisMaster true it doesn’t get heavier than dazed and confused
@gracie99999
this is sick!
@crocnado8092
green room is good as hell
@tylermcay6676
When the credits ran in Green Room I knew it was Creedence Clearwater Revival... I have never heard this song until I watched the movie.
@kainhall
i would have known before the credits....
.
however, im not an ass...... and im glad you liked it (and took the time to find out who it was)
now turn the volume up and ROCK!!!!!
@gameboycat05
John's voice is just so recognizable and iconic