About “Proud Mary”
“Proud Mary” is a defining track by Creedence Clearwater Revival, showcasing the band’s signature swampy, roots rock sound. With its catchy, rolling rhythm and deep, gritty baritone, the song became an enduring classic, not only for CCR but also as a staple in rock and roll.
Written by the band’s frontman, John Fogerty, the song was created shortly after his discharge from the National Guard. Fogerty considers “Proud Mary” his first truly great song, marking the beginning of his songwriting journey. In an interview, he recalled the experience: “Sometimes I’ll think about that moment when songwriting truly started for me,” he said. “It was with ‘Proud Mary.’”
Before this, Fogerty had written songs since childhood, but he always felt they were ordinary. “Proud Mary” changed that. When the song came together, Fogerty was stunned by its quality: “I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is really good!’”
Released as the first single from CCR’s second album Bayou Country in 1969, the song marked a shift for the band. Although their debut album hadn’t brought them major success, “Proud Mary” and Bayou Country launched them into the spotlight, solidifying their place in rock history.
Fogerty reflected on his breakthrough: “It was my first really good s ong… you work on the song till you get it right, whatever you have to do. And then you take a big sigh of relief at the end and think, ‘Oh my God, this is really good.’” For Fogerty, it was a moment of realization that would shape the future of the band.
Lyrics
Left a good job in the city
Workin’ for the man ev’ry night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin’
Worryin’ ’bout the way things might have beenBig wheel keep on turnin’
Proud Mary keep on burnin’
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the riverCleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Pumped a lot of ‘pane down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of the city
‘Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queenBig wheel keep on turnin’
Proud Mary keep on burnin’
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the riverRollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
If you come down to the river
Bet you gonna find some people who live
You don’t have to worry ’cause you have no money
People on the river are happy to giveBig wheel keep on turnin’
Proud Mary keep on burnin’
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the riverRollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
