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!".
Walk On The Water
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down by the river near my home
Couldn't believe, with my own eyes
And I swear I'll never leave my home again
I saw a man walking on the water
Coming right at me from the other side
Feet begin to run, pounding in my brain
I don't want to go, I don't want to go
No, no, no, no, no
I don't want to go
Mmmmmmm
"Walk on the Water" by Creedence Clearwater Revival is an intense song about a man's experience by the river near his home. The song begins with a man going for a walk by the river at night. However, he witnesses something that he can't believe using his own eyes- a man walking on the water. The man is coming towards him from the other side of the river. The man walking on the water calls out to him, assuring him that he shouldn't be afraid. However, the man watching from the shore is overwhelmed by fear and the need to get away from the apparition. He tries to run away, but the pounding in his brain won't let him.
The song has a deep religious connotation, and it seems like the man might be experiencing a spiritual crisis. There is an implication of the man being unsure where his journey will lead him. He doesn't want to go but seems unsure of what he wants. There is a sense of fear and unease throughout the song. Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for their lyrics that explored the deeper emotions of the human experience. "Walk on the Water" is no different, and the lyrics speak to something within the human experience that is haunting and profound.
Line by Line Meaning
Late last night, I went for a walk
During the wee hours of the night, I decided to venture outside for a stroll.
Down by the river near my home
As I perambulated, I headed towards the flowing body of water in proximity to my dwelling.
Couldn't believe, with my own eyes
What I witnessed was so unbelievable that I question whether it was real or a figment of my imagination.
And I swear I'll never leave my home again
My experience has traumatized me so much that I vow to never depart from the safety of my abode again.
I saw a man walking on the water
To my astonishment, I observed a human being traversing the surface of the river as though it was solid ground.
Coming right at me from the other side
This individual was closing in on me as they approached from the opposite bank.
Calling out my name, "Do not be afraid"
The person beckoned me by name and spoke reassuring words to alleviate my fears.
Feet begin to run, pounding in my brain
Although my legs initiated a sudden sprint, my mind was still processing the incredulity of the situation.
I don't want to go, I don't want to go
I repeatedly express my reluctance to continue with this bewildering encounter.
No, no, no, no, no
My actions and words have become heavily laced with denial and rejection of what's happening.
I don't want to go
My apprehension towards this inexplicable occurrence remains unparalleled.
Mmmmmmm
An indeterminate vocalization that perhaps represents a sense of unease or resignation.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty, Thomas Richard Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alejandro Arpt
Late last night, I went for a walk,
Down by the river near my home.
Couldn't believe, with my own eyes,
And I swear I'll never leave my home again.
I saw a man walking on the water.
Coming right at me from the other side.
Calling out my name; "do not be afraid."
Feet begin…
비정한세상
"Walk On The Water"
Late last night, I went for a walk
Down by the river near my home
Couldn't believe, with my own eyes
And I swear I'll never leave my home again
I saw a man walking on the water
Coming right at me from the other side
Calling out my name; "Do not be afraid."
Feet begin to run, pounding in my brain
I don't want to go; I don't want to go
No, no, no, no, no...
I don't want to go
Mmmmmmm...
MARIÁN SB.
Mis padres me regalaron este LP en 1969, yo tenía 13 años y en estos 52 años pasados lo perdí en algún traslado de casa, y acabo de encontrarlo aquí, en el bendito Youtube!! Me trae todos los recuerdos de aquellos dulces años de adolescencia, con mi tocadiscos en mi habitación a todo volumen y bailando poseída por la Música de CCR ❤❤❤❤😍😍
xiropigado
This, in my opinion, is their best album
Tom Woods
The 'walk on the water' riff is totally the next decade: 'London's Calling' (The Clash, 1978) to a 'T', especially the rates of echo. it surely awakens a myriad of successive generations to a cause. Although the song seems to be about resistance to dying, it is indubitably a song for the the young man/person of the (difficult) day....
pinba11wizzard
dead end street
Анатолий Литвиненко
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3upJuKSUSk
Check out this Soviet rock song. The riff is very similar.
Justme Today Heidi Beaudry
My 38yr, old son knows music like no one else i know. He has tought himself how to play numerious instraments by himself, I played him this song and to my surprise, he had never heard it before. Cory enjoyed it immensely. Thank you.
don juan
This song is bone-chillingly good.
Kimon Vezyrtzis
Seriously one of the best rock songs ever. i get goosebumps every freakin time
itsmissyvonne
Ooooh, I like this one a lot. Along with Run Through The Jungle and Born on The Bayou. Swampy goodness.
Bob
Me and my buddies used to drink and smoke grass down by the river when we were kids and this was one of our favorite tunes.