The song is opened with a prominent, high-pitched guitar riff played by John Fogerty. The song's lyrics have Fogerty telling of a gathering "up around the bend" on the highway and inviting the listener to join in. According to the Up Around The Bend Songfacts, the song required a bit of translation for British audiences. In England, if you go "around the bend" it means you go crazy. Then the band toured the UK, they had to explain to the British press that the song was not about dementia or mental problems.
Released as a single, with "Run Through the Jungle" on the flipside, the double-sided single climbed to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1970, and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over one million copies. It was also a major hit in the UK, where it reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.
The song has been covered by artists such as Elton John, who recorded a version of the song early in his career, and Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks, who covered it on their 1984 album, Two Steps from the Move.
Up Around the Bend
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away if you're goin'
Leave the sinkin' ship behind
Come on the risin' wind
We're goin' up around the bend
Bring a song and a smile for the banjo
Better get while the gettin's good
Hitch a ride to the end of the highway
Where the neon's turn to wood
Come on the risin' wind
We're goin' up around the bend
Ooh
You can ponder perpetual motion
Fix your mind on a crystal day
Always time for good conversation
There's an ear for what you say
Come on the risin' wind
We're goin' up around the bend
Yeah
Ooh
Catch a ride to the end of the highway
And we'll meet by the big red tree
There's a place up ahead and I'm goin'
Come along, come along with me
Come on the risin' wind
We're goin' up around the bend
Yeah
Do do do do
Do do do do
Do do do
Do do do do, yeah
Do do do do
Do do do do do
In Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Up Around the Bend," the singer invites listeners to join him on a journey. He is rushing toward a place unknown but promises adventure and escape from a sinking ship. The first verse reflects a sense of urgency as the singer is running as fast as his feet can fly. He encourages anyone who is going to come with him and leave their troubles behind.
The song speaks to both the freedom of the open road and the possibility of renewal. The phrase, "up around the bend," conjures an image of a bend in a road, leading to an unseen future full of unknown possibilities. The lyrics encourage the listener to remain positive, embrace the journey, and enjoy the ride.
The second verse reinforces the idea of movement and travel. The singer suggests bringing a song and a smile for the banjo and advises the listener to "get while the getting's good." They also speak of the end of the highway, where neon lights turn to wood, suggesting a return to simpler, more rustic pleasures.
The song speaks to the idea of endless possibility, with lyrics that suggest that anything is possible when you let yourself go with the flow of life's journey. The singer invites the listener to join them on an adventure, let go of their troubles and embrace a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place up ahead and I'm goin'
I have a destination in mind and I'm determined to reach it
Just as fast as my feet can fly
I'm moving as quickly as possible to get there
Come away, come away if you're goin'
Join me on this journey if you're also looking to leave your current situation
Leave the sinkin' ship behind
Abandon any problems or difficulties behind
Come on the risin' wind,
Let's take advantage of the wind to help us move faster
We're goin' up around the bend
We're taking a different, winding route to our destination
Bring a song and a smile for the banjo
Pack your positive attitude and some music to keep our spirits high
Better get while the gettin's good
We should take advantage of this opportunity while we still can
Hitch a ride to the end of the highway
We can find someone to give us a ride to the end of the road
Where the neon's turn to wood
We'll leave the flashy city lights behind for something more natural
You can ponder perpetual motion,
You have time to think and contemplate things
Fix your mind on a crystal day,
Imagine a clear, perfect day to help you stay positive
Always time for a good conversation,
We can take the opportunity to have some meaningful conversations along the way
There's an ear for what you say
We'll support and listen to each other
Catch a ride to the end of the highway
We can ask for help and accept assistance on this journey
And we'll meet by the big red tree,
We'll have a specific spot to reunite when we need to
Do do do do
This is an instrumental section of the song without lyrics
Do do do do
This is an instrumental section of the song without lyrics
Do do do do
This is an instrumental section of the song without lyrics
Do do do do yeah
This is an instrumental section of the song without lyrics
Do do do do
This is an instrumental section of the song without lyrics
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OmegaPrime1
Legendary intro. Fantastic lyrics. Amazing guitar 🎸. John Fogerty is an absolute LEGEND for his music
@Yahoo744
I am so proud to say this is the first album I ever bought I was 12 years old I can’t believe it was 50 years ago let’s all keep on Rocking
@printthelegends
That intro has gotta be in the running for best guitar riff of all time. It's just so satisfying. Even moreso after the third verse when it comes back.
@stevennieto9898
Truth.
@printthelegends
Indeed I have heard of all of them. I still like this one best.
@TheUnicorn141
All good answeres. The right one is without a doubt Dire Straits with Money for Nothing. Nonetheless, the absolutely all play in their own interdimesional riffleague that's far off the earthly rock and roll and metal of older and more recent time.
@ConstantlyDamaged
Gotta be up there with Thunderstruck, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Ace Of Spades for iconic song starters.
@UCS0608
Fogerty writes in his biography "Fortunatre Son" the intro is inspired by Marty Robbins song A White Sport Coat And A Pink Carnation.
@bigern_
That intro is LEGEND
@nuncajamas6021
I listened to every Credence song on the playlist to find it