A Love Letter to Creedence Clearwater Revival
Most of the time I choose to write about new bands or artists that have peaked my interest or have become a regular occurrence on my playlists. However, I was just hanging out at the house, listening to music with my husband the other day when a few of my favorite Creedence Clearwater Revival songs came on and really got me thinking. I probably listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival, aka CCR, multiple times a month but I started to think to myself just how much I love this band and never seem to get tired of their music. Of course the idea of someone being a huge fan of CCR isn’t at all monumental, considering they are one of the most well known rock bands, but that doesn’t mean I should pass up on singing their praises.
Despite originating in El Cerrito, California, Creedence Clearwater Revival took a unique approach compared to other California bands at the time and created a mixture of southern rock, blues, and rockabilly, with an emphasis on the Southern United States. By creating this unique mixture of genres, CCR basically became a pioneer for what is known as swamp rock. Outside of their bluesy sort of swamp rock sound, what sets CCR apart from other bands is just how well they were able to capture the experience and pride of being a Southern working class American, while also being anti-establishment. Their sound was also considered pretty progressive for the time but still held on to those solid roots of the music that came before them.
With this perfect balance between having that Southern American pride while also being politically and socially progressive, they were able to make these individuals in the South who were also angry with the way things were going in their country but not necessarily on par with the Summer of Love scene, feel a sense of being heard or understood. Weirdly enough, the best way I can describe the way listening to CCR feels is that feeling of loving the South for the core of its culture but also wanting better for its people and having hope that good will come. While their music is typically associated as being anti-war, the real feeling behind many of their songs speaks more on the class divide in America. This emphasis on class is also why many Southern Americans have found a sense of pride and understanding through their music, despite the common political differences the South has had with more progressive areas like California.
Because CCR’s music has always been more politically and socially charged, and rarely covering other topics such as romance, they have sort of become the soundtrack to the Vietnam War era. I mean, you cannot tell me that the scene in Forrest Gump with “Fortunate Son” playing as they land in Vietnam doesn’t just get you even a little riled up. Their heavy association with the Vietnam War era has also solidified their music as a huge part of that cultural movement, or should I say counter-cultural movement. It is now almost expected that any movie that is set during the Vietnam War era is going to at least feature one CCR song. Their music was so integral to this time period that in 2013, The Library of Congress added “Fortunate Son” to their National Recording Registry’s list of sound recordings that “are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important”. This is even more impressive considering their time as a band was fairly short compared to the amount of impact they have had on culture and music.
Their cultural, political, and class awareness wrapped up in a bluesy southern rock and roll sound to me feels like the epitome of being a working class American. The messages behind their songs can unite folks across the United States, but their sound makes you almost forget about these social issues because of just how much you’re grooving along to the music. I mean the bass line in many of these songs makes me want to go absolutely feral. A swampy bassline and John Fogerty’s vocals makes you want to bust down the doors of any sort of establishment but also just crack open a beer with your friends. It is a strange divide that can only be understood by the progressive, working class Southern American.
Essentially what I am trying to say is that I just absolutely adore Creedence Clearwater Revival and truly feel like I could never grow tired of their music. Whether it is their ability to transcend regions and political points of view, or simply the exquisite vocals and melodies, this band is one that you will have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t enjoy them.
