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
Weeping In The Promised Land
John Fogerty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Satan's dark angels are fallin' from the sky
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Children of God, he turns into stone
Sick and the weak, he dancin' on their bones
Pharaoh shoutin' down the medicine man
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Forked-tongued pharaoh, behold he comes to speak
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Hissin' and spewin', it's power that he seeks
Weepin' in the Promised Land
With dread in their eyes, all the nurses are cryin'
So much sorrow, so much dyin'
Pharaoh keep a-preaching but he never had a plan
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Weepin' in the Promised Land
You say, weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
You say, weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Pharaoh's army knockin' on the door
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Shoot you in your bed just like they done before
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Out in the street, on your neck with a knee
All the people are cryin' your last words, "I can't breathe"
And a white judge say, "There been no crime here today"
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Weepin' in the Promised Land
You say, weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
You say, weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
We're weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
Yeah, weepin', weepin'
Weepin' in the Promised Land
The lyrics of “Weeping in the Promised Land” by John Fogerty paint a vivid picture of a society rife with corruption, oppression, and injustice. The imagery of poisoned water in the well symbolizes a pervasive culture of deceit and falsehood. The idea of weeping in the promised land suggests a profound disappointment and disillusionment with a place that was supposed to be a land of hope and prosperity. The reference to “Satan's dark angels” falling from the sky alludes to a sense of moral decay and the collapse of supposed righteous figures.
The depiction of Pharaoh as a figure of tyranny and manipulation resonates with historical and biblical connotations of oppressive rulers. The line “Children of God, he turns into stone” reflects a dehumanizing effect of power, while “Sick and the weak, he dancin' on their bones” portrays a callous disregard for the vulnerable. The juxtaposition of Pharaoh’s authority with the suffering of the people emphasizes the stark inequality and social injustices within the society.
The lyrics continue to highlight the deceptive nature of those in power, as Pharaoh is described as “forked-tongued” and seeking power through manipulation and deceit. The imagery of nurses crying and widespread sorrow and death conveys a sense of overwhelming despair and helplessness. The lack of a clear plan or solution from the ruling class further exacerbates the sense of hopelessness and betrayal among the populace.
The final verses of the song bring attention to the systemic violence and injustice faced by marginalized communities, particularly people of color. The references to police brutality, racial profiling, and the denial of accountability by those in authority are chillingly relevant in today’s context. The repeated refrain of “Weepin’ in the Promised Land” serves as a poignant reminder of the broken promises and enduring pain experienced by those who are marginalized and oppressed. Overall, the lyrics of “Weeping in the Promised Land” offer a powerful critique of societal injustices and a call for reflection, empathy, and action.
Line by Line Meaning
Water in the well been poisoned with lies
Deception and falsehoods have tainted a once pure source of truth
Satan's dark angels are fallin' from the sky
Evil forces are descending upon the world
Children of God, he turns into stone
Even the innocent are hardened by the harsh realities of life
Sick and the weak, he dancin' on their bones
Those who are vulnerable and in need are being exploited and discarded
Pharaoh shoutin' down the medicine man
Those in power are silencing voices of reason and healing
Forked-tongued pharaoh, behold he comes to speak
A deceitful leader is approaching to spread his falsehoods
Hissin' and spewin', it's power that he seeks
He aims to dominate and control through manipulation and intimidation
With dread in their eyes, all the nurses are cryin'
Even those who care for the sick are overwhelmed with despair and sadness
So much sorrow, so much dyin'
There is an overwhelming amount of grief and death
Pharaoh keep a-preaching but he never had a plan
The leader continues to speak without offering any solutions or guidance
Pharaoh's army knockin' on the door
Oppressive forces are threatening and causing fear
Shoot you in your bed just like they done before
History repeats itself with violence and injustice
Out in the street, on your neck with a knee
The brutal reality of police violence and racism is on full display
And a white judge say, "There been no crime here today"
Even when injustice is evident, the system fails to hold those responsible accountable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Edmunds
John is a true American legend. He’s like the North Star, he’ll always point you in the the right direction using his gift as a singer song writer and he’s one hell of a guitar player.
Linda Maria Carrillo
@james bradshaw I beg to differ, but then, I actually met him.
Read my comments about him above.
Adilson Santana
Precisamos falar com Jon somos do Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
wayne mark
@Vladimir Putin I really enjoy John's music, but I don't understand why he feels he must be woke.
This video with St Floyd disgusts me. Floyd had pointed a loaded gun at a pregnant woman's belly, for Godsake.
He had taken a fatal dose of drugs before attracting police attention. He was very much responsible for his own death.
timothy flanigan
very much like bruce springsteen,tom petty and bob seger. total music royalty.
shank 0331
Damn that was deep!! As a battled harden veteran who fought for that flag and all my brothers regardless of color. I'm still sitting here crying!! WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS AMERICA✊🏼
Connie Watt
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
X P
@Vladimir Putin gets paid 10 cents for every troll message he posts guys, he's literally all over this comment section posting nonsense everywhere
Carl Scott
@Sandra Lee Can't come together if too many of y'all keep seein' it just one way. See my song-based essay "A 2020 Songlist" to how betrayed many moderate and conservative Americans feel by the horrid actions of our elites and "progressivists" in 2020. CS
joe watts
deep as crap