Tom Fogerty began playing rock and roll in high school, just as John Fogerty did. He and his brother had separate groups. Tom's band, Spider Webb and the Insects, signed a recording contract with Del-Fi Records but broke up in 1959 before releasing any records. John's band, The Blue Velvets (AKA Tommy Fogerty & The Blue Velvets), began backing Tom, and eventually Tom joined John's band, and the group made three singles for Orchestra Records in 1961 and 1962, with Tom as lead singer. In the mid-1960s, the group was called The Golliwogs and recorded with Fantasy Records, with Tom and John sharing lead vocal duties. By 1968 the band was renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival, and John had become full-time lead singer and primary songwriter. During the few years of the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom sang back up vocals and wrote songs, but only one of his songs ("Walk on the Water") was recorded. This lack of opportunity, along with festering, longstanding animosity with his brother, led him to leave CCR in 1971.
After the band broke up, Fogerty began performing and recording solo. Although John played several guitar parts on Tom's solo-albums, they remained estranged. Tom was bitter at having his contributions overlooked. In the pre-CCR days, Tom had been singer, songwriter, and, generally, manager of the act. Tom Fogerty recorded with Fantasy Records in 1971, and his first solo album, "Tom Fogerty," reached #78 on the album charts. On this album, Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders played on some of the sessions, and Stu Cook and Doug Clifford (CCR's former bassist and drummer), as well as John Fogerty, performed on the 1973 follow up album, "Zephyr National".
Throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s, Tom continued to record, and all former members of Creedence Clearwater Revival grew increasingly resentful and angry towards John Fogerty. John claimed all royalties and sued Fantasy Records; when Tom re-signed with Fantasy (effectively releasing an obligor (Fantasy Records, the deepest pocket) of joint liability and waiver of damages to his brother, an obligee), John broke from his brother famously and bitterly (viz. John Fogerty's "Vanz Kant Danz"). Tom lived comfortably in Scottsdale, Arizona for the remainder of his life, thanks to his Creedence royalties. He was an occasional surprise call-in guest on local radio station KSLX.
Tom Fogerty died of AIDS, probably due to blood transfusions during treatment for back ailments. He was 48 years old.
Wondering
Tom Fogerty Lyrics
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Third from the sun, third from the sun
There must be others that are looking around
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah.
There on a place, play out in space
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah.
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah.
Life on a star, oh what a star
There must be others that are looking around
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah.
Tom Fogerty's "Wondering" is a song that speaks to the curiosity and speculation about the existence of life on other planets. The opening line, "Third from the sun," refers to the fact that Earth is the third planet from the sun, and suggests that there are likely other planets inhabited by creatures who are also "looking around and wonderin'." The repetition of this line throughout the song reinforces the idea that human beings are not alone in the universe, and that other beings are as curious about the possibility of life beyond their own planet as we are.
The lyrics also mention "a place, play out in space," which refers to the vastness of the universe and the many planets and systems that exist beyond our own. The line "Life on a star, oh what a star" suggests that life could exist on a star, which is an intriguing idea that has been explored in science fiction. The song ends with the same refrain as before, emphasizing the endless nature of this speculation and the excitement that comes with wondering about the mysteries of the universe.
Overall, "Wondering" is a song that captures the sense of awe and wonder that comes with thinking about the vastness of space and the possibility of life beyond our own planet. Tom Fogerty's lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their curiosity and explore the mysteries of the universe for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Third from the sun, third from the sun
There are planets that are third closest to a star, and this fact makes us think about the possibility of life existence on those planets.
There must be others that are looking around And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
This line is a continuation of the first and suggests that other planets may have life forms and may be curious about the existence of extraterrestrial life as well.
There on a place, play out in space
This line refers to the idea that life exists on some other planet and is playing out in space.
Life on a star, oh what a star
This line continues the theme of the possibility of life on another planet, but this time it refers to a planet that orbits around another star.
There must be others that are looking around And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah
Like the earlier iteration of this line, this one reinforces the idea of curiosity about other forms of life from the perspective of theoretical life on another planet.
And wonderin', wonderin', oh yeah, oh yeah.
This line basically repeats the previous line, and it concludes the song with a sense of continued wonder and curiosity about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.