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!".
Travelin' Band
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you take me down to Memphis on a midnight ride
I wanna move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
Take me to the hotel, baggage gone, oh well
Come on, come on, won't you get me to my room
I wanna move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
Listen to the radio talkin' 'bout the last show
Someone got excited, had to call the state militia
Wanna move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
Oh wow
Here we come again on a saturday night
With your fussin' and your fightin', won't you get me to the ride?
I wanna move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
Oh wow
Oh, I'm playin' in a travelin' band
Playin' in a travelin' band
Won't you come and take my hand?
Well, I'm playin' in a travelin' band
I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
Oh wow
Hey
The lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival's song Travelin' Band tell the story of a touring musician who travels across the country playing with their band. The first verse speaks about a plane (Seven thirty seven) coming out of the sky and the musician wants it to take them to Memphis. This indicates that they are on a tour and are looking to get to a new venue to play their music. The musician wants to continue moving, playing in their travelin' band, and being on the road. The second verse mentions that the band is staying in a hotel and the musician wants to get to their room to rest before their next show. The third verse speaks about the last show and someone getting too excited and causing a problem which resulted in calling the state militia. This is a reminder that not all shows are peaceful and the musician must continue touring and playing. The final verse talks about a Saturday night and the musician wanting to get to the rhyme and play their music for people who want to hear it.
Overall, the lyrics of Travelin' Band represent the life of a musician on tour. The constant motion and desire to play music are what keeps this travelin' band moving forward. The entertainment industry is not always smooth, but despite the ups and downs, the band continues to play music and seek opportunities to share their art.
Line by Line Meaning
Seven thirty seven comin' out of the sky
The singer wants to travel to Memphis and is eager to catch the next flight.
Won't you take me down to Memphis on a midnight ride
The singer asks if someone can help them get to Memphis on a ride that leaves at midnight.
I want to move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well I'm flyin' 'cross the land tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
The singer is part of a band that travels a lot, and they are currently trying to make it big in the music industry.
Take me to the hotel baggage gone, oh well
Come on, come on won't you get me to my room
I want to move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
The band has arrived at their destination, but they are anxious to get settled in their hotel room so that they can keep moving and performing.
Listen to the radio talkin' 'bout the last show
Someone got excited, had to call the state militia
Want to move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
The artist hears about an incident that occurred during their last performance and is determined to keep moving on to the next show, still trying to make it big.
Here we come again on a Saturday night
With your fussin' and your fightin' won't you get me to the rhyme
I want to move
Playin' in a travelin' band
Yeah
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
The band is on their way to another performance, anticipating a fun Saturday night despite any potential conflicts that may arise.
Playin' in a travelin' band
Playin' in a travelin' band
Won't you give myself a hand?
Playin' in a travelin' band
Well, I'm flyin' 'cross the land, tryin' to get a hand
Playin' in a travelin' band
The singer is proud of being in a successful traveling band, but still craves recognition and validation for their hard work and ambition.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lupodelupis3672
Two minutes of pure, unadulerated, glorious, fast-paced, astounding rock 'n' roll
@daleterry882
That song still gives me goosebumps over 50 years later!!
@jd194582
CCR is the greatest American band. I said what I said.
@Warumfragstdu
And what you said is true
@chosett
They are not the greatest American band, they are the greatest band in the world!
@KarlheinzGassenmann
😊 O yeah!
@tammiesanders8906
They ARE Badass!!
@kennyhuskisson2684
I'll back you up on that👍✌️
@cricket-vw3wy
I am from Sri Lanka. A far island on the south Asian subcontinent. My wife is like 5 hours away from me and when I drive to see her, I don’t feel tired. Not mainly because I am excited to see her after so long but because I listened to CCR :)
My only goal is to see the world together with my wife/family while listening to CCR, AC/DC, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.
And born to be wild
@codzy3532
to cool their music is timeless