John Fogerty began a solo career, originally under the name The Blue Ridge Rangers for his 1973 LP debut. Fogerty played all of the instruments on covers of others' country music hits, such as "Jambalaya" (which was a Top 40 hit). Prior to performing country & western tunes he released a rock & roll single in late 1973, also as The Blue Ridge Rangers. The two John Fogerty penned songs were "You Don't Owe Me" and "Back In The Hills" (Fantasy F-710).
In early 1974 John Fogerty released two rock & roll tunes on a 7"-single. The two songs were the vocal "Comin' Down The Road" b/w the instrumental "Ricochet". His second solo album John Fogerty was released in 1975. Sales were slim and legal problems delayed a followup, though it yielded "Rockin' All Over the World", a top 40 hit for Fogerty in North America.
Fogerty finished an album called Hoodoo in 1976. A single, "You Got The Magic" b/w "Evil Thing", preceded the album's release, but it performed poorly. The album, for which covers had already been printed, was rejected by Asylum Records a couple weeks before its scheduled release, and Fogerty agreed that it wasn't up to his usual high standards. Fogerty told Asylum Records to destroy the master tapes for Hoodoo sometime in the 1980s. Fogerty is something of a perfectionist, often destroying unreleased material. Fogerty says that he was unable to write music during this period of his life.
Fogerty's solo career re-emerged in full force with 1985's Centerfield, his first album for Warner Bros. Records (which took over co-ownership of Asylum's contract with Fogerty). Centerfield went to the top of the charts and included a top-ten hit in "The Old Man Down The Road"; the title track is frequently played on classic rock radio and at baseball games to this day. But that album was not without its legal snags either.
Two songs on the album, "Zanz Kant Danz" and "Mr Greed", were believed to be attacks on Fogerty's former boss at Fantasy Records, Saul Zaentz. "Zanz Kant Danz" was about a pig who can't dance but would "steal your money". When Zaentz responded with a lawsuit, Fogerty issued a revised version of "Zanz Kant Danz" (changing the lead character's name to Vanz). Another lawsuit claimed that "The Old Man Down The Road" shared the same chorus as "Run Through The Jungle" (a song from Fogerty's days with Creedence to which Fantasy Records had owned the publishing rights). Fogerty ultimately won his case when he proved that the two songs were wholly distinct compositions.
The followup album to Centerfield was Eye of the Zombie in 1986, which was less successful. Fogerty toured behind the album, but he refused to play any Creedence material. The album took on a darker mood, talking about a troubled society, terrorism, and pop stars selling out. For years, he refused to play material from the Zombie album. However, "Change In The Weather" was included in the set list for his 2009 tour. Fogerty played Creedence material again at a concert in Washington, D.C., for Vietnam veterans that took place on July 4, 1987. The show was aired on HBO. Aside from the show at the Palomino, this was the first time Fogerty had performed any Creedence Clearwater Revival songs for a large audience since 1972.
Fogerty traveled to Mississippi in 1990 for inspiration and visited the gravesite of blues legend Robert Johnson. He realized that Robert Johnson was the true spiritual owner of the songs Johnson had written. Fogerty decided to start making a new album and to perform his old Creedence material regularly in concert.[4][5] It was at this time visiting the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church cemetery that Fogerty met Skip Henderson, a New Jersey vintage guitar dealer who had formed a nonprofit corporation The Mt. Zion Memorial Fund to honor Johnson with a memorial marker. Fogerty subsequently funded headstones for Charlie Patton, James Son Thomas, Mississippi Joe Callicott, Eugene Powell, Lonnie Pitchford and helped with financial arrangements for numerous others.[6]
Creedence Clearwater Revival was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. John Fogerty refused to perform with his former band mates and fellow inductees Stu Cook and Doug Clifford during the musical portion of the induction ceremony. In place of the surviving members of CCR, Fogerty recruited LA session musicians on drums and bass and was also joined by Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson in performing three songs; "Who'll Stop The Rain", "Born On The Bayou" and "Green River".
Fogerty returned to the commercial music industry in 1997 with Blue Moon Swamp. The layoff between Zombie and Swamp had been longer than his mid-'70s-mid-'80s break. The album was much more successful than his previous effort and won the Grammy for best rock album in 1997. A live album of the equally successful tour was released to similar acclaim and good sales.
It seemed as though Fogerty was back, but again he drifted out of the mainstream, only returning after another break in 2004. Deja Vu (All Over Again) was Fogerty’s next release. His new record contract was with DreamWorks Records, which had taken over distribution of Fogerty's Warner Bros. catalog. Rolling Stone wrote: "The title track is Fogerty's indictment of the Iraq war as another Vietnam, a senseless squandering of American lives and power". On the album, Fogerty squeezed 10 songs into only 34 minutes.
The sale of Fantasy Records to Concord Records in 2004 ended the 30+-year estrangement between Fogerty and his former label as the new owners took steps to restore royalty rights Fogerty gave up in order to be released from his contract with Fantasy in the mid 1970s. In September 2005, Fogerty returned to Fantasy Records. That was made possible when DreamWorks Records' non-country music unit was absorbed by Geffen Records, which dropped Fogerty but continued to distribute his earlier solo albums. The first album released under the new Fantasy contract was The Long Road Home, a compilation CD combining his Creedence hits with solo material which was issued in November 2005. A live CD and DVD concert was released the following year.
Fogerty’s touring schedule increased in the period after Deja Vu (All Over Again). In October 2004, Fogerty appeared on the Vote for Change tour, playing a series of concerts in American swing states. Centerfield was also played at the 2008 Republican National Convention when John McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate. Fogerty's numbers were played with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Fogerty toured with John Mellencamp in the summer of 2005 and with Willie Nelson in the summer of 2006. On June 29, 2006 he played his first headlining British concert since 1972, at the Hammersmith Apollo theater in London, as part of the European leg of the tour. During that leg, he also performed in Sundsvall, Sweden, where 25,000 people came to see him perform at the town square. On Thanksgiving Day of 2006, Fogerty performed at halftime at the Miami Dolphins/Detroit Lions game as well as at the Denver Broncos/Kansas City Chiefs halftime later that evening.
Alongside, Bill Withers, the Sherman Brothers, Steve Cropper and Isaac Hayes and David Porter, Fogerty was named to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
Fogerty features on Jerry Lee Lewis's album "Last Man Standing" issued 26 September 2006, duetting on a recording of "Travellin' Band". He also participated in the live set follow-up "Last Man Standing - Live", joining Lewis for a duet of "CC Rider", "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (also featuring Kris Kristofferson), and concluding with a performance of "Good Golly Miss Molly", with Lewis backing him on piano.
Fogerty completed his first new country and rock album in three years, Revival, which was released on October 2, 2007. Heavily promoted by the label, Revival debuted at number 14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with sales about 65,000 copies in its first week. Revival was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album of 2008 but lost to the Foo Fighters.
On February 10, 2008, he appeared with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard on the Grammy Award's Show. Along with these rock icons and his regular touring band, he played his ultra-rare 1973 single "Comin' Down The Road" leading into Lewis and Richard's performances of "Great Balls Of Fire," and "Good Golly Miss Molly," respectively.
On March 16, 2008, Fogerty kicked off an Australian tour. On March 22 in Point Nepean, Australia, surprise guest Keith Urban joined Fogerty on stage, performing two songs: "Broken Down Cowboy," off Fogerty's newest album Revival, and "Cotton Fields," from CCR's album Willy & the Poor Boys.
Fogerty's current touring band includes Dave Santos on bass, Kenny Aronoff on drums, Matt Nolen on keyboards, guitar & mandolin, Hunter Perrin on guitars Billy Burnette (of Fleetwood Mac fame) on guitars, and Dan Hochhalter on fiddle, mandolin, and guitars.
On June 24, 2008, Fogerty made a return to the Royal Albert Hall, a venue he last played with CCR in 1971. It was the last concert on his 2008 European Tour. This concert was filmed (causing staging problems that annoyed some fans) and, according to his website, is to be released in early 2009.
On December 10, 2008, a Billboard article announced that besides the Royal Albert Hall DVD, Fogerty was working on recording a new album of mostly country covers. The album is a sequel to his 1973 solo debut The Blue Ridge Rangers and will be called The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again. It will be released on September 1, 2009 and will contain a duet with Bruce Springsteen on the 1960 Everly Brothers classic "When Will I Be Loved?."[15] In addition, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles sing with Fogerty on a cover of Rick Nelson's 1972 classic "Garden Party."
On April 16, 2009, Fogerty performed his hit "Centerfield," from center field, at the opening day festivities of the new Yankee Stadium.[16]
On July 2,3,and 4, 2009 John Fogerty performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. The Bowl was completely sold out. The night included a fireworks display. Although the night was billed as Fogerty with the LA Philharmonic, the LA Philharmonic began the night with music by American composers, and Fogerty and his band came on after intermission and played all of his greatest hits. Fogerty and his band only played one song with the orchestra.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mr. Greed
John Fogerty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mr. Greed, why you put a chain on everybody livin' free?
You're hungerin' for his house, you're hungerin' for his wife
And your appetite will never be denied
You're a devil of consumption
I hope you choke, Mr. Greed
How do you get away with robbin'?
I hear you got away with murder
Did you do your Mama proud?
Mr. Greed, why you got to take more than you can ever use?
Bring 'em to their knees
Isn't it enough just to win while they lose?
You bring no honor to the game
You feast upon the blood and pain
But the bones you hoard can only bring you shame
There's corruption in your path
Be that your epitaph, Mr. Greed
How do you get away with robbin'?
Did your mother teach you how?
I hear you got away with murder
Did you do your Mama proud?
The song "Mr. Greed" by John Fogerty is a scathing critique of the wealthy and powerful who use their status to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. The titular character, Mr. Greed, represents this type of person who wants to own everything he sees and put a chain on everyone who is living free. Fogerty questions why someone with so much wealth and power needs to take more than they can ever use, why they hunger for others' possessions and why they enjoy winning while others lose. The lyrics condemn Mr. Greed for his devilish consumption and corrupt path, warning that the bones he hoards can only bring him shame.
The verses also express disbelief that Mr. Greed can get away with his actions, implying that he has committed heinous crimes such as robbery and murder to achieve and maintain his wealth. Fogerty questions whether Mr. Greed's mother taught him how to steal and whether she would be proud of his actions. These lines suggest that greed and corruption may be learned behaviors that are passed down through generations and that parents have a responsibility to teach their children to do better.
Overall, "Mr. Greed" is a powerful indictment of the negative side effects of capitalism and the greed and corruption that often accompany wealth and power. The song calls on listeners to reject these destructive values and work towards a more equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Greed, why you got to own everything that you see?
Why do you have an insatiable desire to possess everything you lay eyes on, Mr. Greed?
Mr. Greed, why you put a chain on everybody livin' free?
Why do you feel the need to impose limitations on those who enjoy their freedom, Mr. Greed?
You're hungerin' for his house, you're hungerin' for his wife
You crave the possessions of others, including their home and family, Mr. Greed.
And your appetite will never be denied
Your hunger for wealth and power will never be sated, Mr. Greed.
You're a devil of consumption
Your excessive consumption and greed makes you akin to a demonic entity, Mr. Greed.
I hope you choke, Mr. Greed
The singer wishes you suffer the consequences of your own gluttony, Mr. Greed.
How do you get away with robbin'?
The singer questions how you manage to steal from others, Mr. Greed.
Did your mother teach you how?
The artist implies that your tendency towards theft may stem from your upbringing, Mr. Greed.
I hear you got away with murder
There are rumors that you have committed murder, Mr. Greed.
Did you do your Mama proud?
The artist suggests that your questionable behavior may have been encouraged by your mother, Mr. Greed.
Mr. Greed, why you got to take more than you can ever use?
What drives you to accumulate more than you could ever possibly need, Mr. Greed?
Bring 'em to their knees
You revel in the suffering of others, Mr. Greed.
Isn't it enough just to win while they lose?
The singer questions why you can't be content with simply succeeding while others fail, Mr. Greed.
You bring no honor to the game
Your actions are dishonorable, Mr. Greed.
You feast upon the blood and pain
Metaphorically, you are nourished by the struggles and suffering of others, Mr. Greed.
But the bones you hoard can only bring you shame
Eventually, the material possessions you cling to so tightly will only lead to your downfall and disgrace, Mr. Greed.
There's corruption in your path
Your actions are rife with dishonesty and fraudulence, Mr. Greed.
Be that your epitaph, Mr. Greed
May your legacy be forever defined by your greed, Mr. Greed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John C. Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nestor Angulo
Canción contra los sinvergüenzas que estafan y ganan más que los propios músicos,👏👏👏👏✌️🇨🇱
christopher valentino
It’s amazing how much he got robbed by somebody his brother trusted. It’s so sad that they were never able to reconcile before Tom’s Death.
Jason Nadle
The next time someone goes to jail for tax evasion or money laundering, play this in their prison cells.
emt5330
Saul Zaentz sued him over the lyrics to this song, so John couldn't sing it on the Eye of the Zombie tour. But he did play an unbelieveable instrumental version of it
emt5330
@Dulcimerist not from Eye of the Zombie, as far as I know. But, there is little doubt who this song and Vanz Kant Danz ( originally titled Zaentz Kant Danz) were aimed at.
Zaentz got an injunction that JF couldn't SING the song while the suit was in progress. But, nothing said he couldn't play it
Dulcimerist
Zaentz sued him over this one as well??? I knew about him suing over "Vanz Kant Danz" and "Old Man Down the Road" - did Saul sue over any other songs from this album or the "Eye of the Zombie" album?
Mark Robinson
My favorite john fogerty song.
MisterNinetySeven
Wow. John sounds pretty angry in this song... and I imagine rightly so
Purple Daz vibe tribe radio.
Greed is Rampant...Don't fall into the trap.
Warrior US 11
My ex wife. These people exist