Posted on 07/09/2025 2:23:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Creedence Clearwater Revival's eight-times-platinum anti-war song "Fortunate Son" was their fifth and final Top 40 smash of 1969. John Fogerty still isn't happy with it.
The band had rushed right back in the studio following the August 1969 release of Green River, and Fogerty was pushing himself to the limit. By October, Creedence Clearwater Revival had issued Willy and the Poor Boys, also home to the hit single "Down on the Corner."
"The basic tracks for 'Down on the Corner' and 'Fortunate Son' were both recorded, and one afternoon I went over to Wally Heider's studio to finish the songs," Fogerty told the Los Angeles Times. "For 'Down on the Corner,' I did the maracas and the middle solo part, then sang all the background vocals then sang the lead. So I'd been singing at the top of my lungs for probably an hour and a half, then I had to go back and finish 'Fortunate Son.'"
Some contemporary singers were known to have purposely worn down their voices to achieve the desired studio roughness, but Fogerty argues that his subsequent performance on "Fortunate Son" still feels off.
"I was screaming my heart out, doing the best I could, but later I felt that some of the notes were a little flat — that I hadn't quite hit the mark," Fogerty said. "I always sort of cringed about that."
'Fortunate Son' Soars Into the Top 5
Despite his misgivings, "Fortunate Son" would become a No. 3 hit – and a standard element of protest rallies and his many concerts.
"I know that in the case of the Beatles, John [Lennon] would just sit in the studio screaming and screaming until his voice got raw enough, then he'd record some takes," Fogerty acknowledged. "Perhaps the fact that it was a little out of tune made it — what's the word? — more pop-worthy. I don't know."
He took another shot at getting it right on Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, a forthcoming 20-song collection featuring remakes of some of Fogerty's best-known songs. The LP follows his victory two years ago after a long legal battle over publishing rights.
Funny story: John was in a supermarket shopping in the 80s when he heard Fortunate Son on the speaker.
The song sounded somewhat off to his ear. He was confused.
Come to find out it was a cover of Fortunate Son by Bob Seger from the Like A Rock album.
It’s a great cover by Seger!
My younger brother used to go to a lot of concerts in the 70s. He said the hottest chicks he ever saw were at Rod Stewart concerts. To be honest.......I’m more of a Sinatra guy. His album released in 1969 called Watertown is now called “genius” in it’s arrangements and words.....:)
SHUTUP AND PLAY
And if you’re done playing get off the stage!
Realize it is basically a lefty song (maybe less so lately), but it’s a great song and a fantastic record. IYKWIM.
I think he’s right. Double tracking would’ve smoothed out the
screaming.
That album is produced by one of the Four Seasons, and co-written by the guy who wrote the “I’m a Pepper” jingle.
I really like his solo stuff, from “Blue Ridge Rangers” to “Blue Moon Swamp” and everything in between.
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