Classic Pop Icons

Creedence Clearwater Revival had their first top ten hit with this week’s Song of the Week, “Proud Mary.” “Proud Mary” was the first single from the band’s second album, “Bayou Country.”

Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Proud Mary”

Recording date/location

“Proud Mary” was recorded late 1968 at RCA Studios, Los Angeles, California.

Authorship

“Proud Mary” was written by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s frontman, John Fogerty.

Musicians

Creedence Clearwater Revival were:

• John Fogerty – lead guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
• Tom Fogerty – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Stu Cooke – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
• Doug Clifford – drums, bass.

Chart performance

“Proud Mary” was released on January 15, 1969 and reached number two on the US charts and number eight in the UK.

Duets

John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen duetted on the Creedence songs “Fortunate Son” and “Proud Mary” during last years Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden. Springsteen is a long-term admirer of Fogerty and of this song (see below.)

Enjoy.

Covers

Ike and Tina Turner – “Proud Mary”

This song is forever associated with Creedence Clearwater Revival, but also became the signature tune of Ike and Tina Turner after they covered it in 1971 with a very different and effective arrangement. Ike and Tina’s “Proud Mary” hit number four in the US and won the 1972 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group. Tina still sings it 40 years on. Here’s an early live version.

Elvis Presley – “Proud Mary”

Elvis Presley sang Proud Mary live in the early 1970s and a live version from February 1970 is featured on the album “Elvis: On Stage.” There’s also footage of Elvis singing it in April 1972 in the movie “Elvis on Tour.”

Here’s a version from February 1970.

George Jones and Johnny Paycheck – “Proud Mary”

George Jones and Johnny Paycheck recorded a cover of “Proud Mary” for their 1980 album “Double Trouble,” which featured spirited covers of a number of rock ‘n’ roll classics, including “Tutti Frutti,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Kansas City.” The album went to number 45 on the US country charts.

Bruce Springsteen – “Proud Mary”

Bruce Springsteen has been singing “Proud Mary” live for 40+ years. He was singing it with his band Child (which became Steel Mill) as early as 1969, before featuring it periodically in his sets with the E-Street Band. Here’s a version from 2009 in Dublin.

Pain, Pain or Tane??

There has been some confusion over whether in the second verse Fogerty meant “pumped a lot of pane” or “pain” or “tane.” This was further confused when Ike and Tina’s popular cover went with “tane.” The intended lyric is in fact “pane”, as in “propane.” Ike and Tina’s “tane” refers to “octane,” but was not what Fogerty wrote.

There will be a new Song of the Week on June 7.