About the Song

“Bad Moon Rising” is one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most iconic hits, written by lead singer and songwriter John Fogerty. It was released as the lead single from their 1969 album Green River on April 16, four months before the album’s official release. The song quickly became a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 28, 1969, and No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for three weeks in September 1969. It remains one of the band’s most famous tracks and was certified gold, marking their second gold single.

The song’s success and catchy melody belie its darker, apocalyptic lyrics, which convey a sense of impending doom. The lyrics are filled with weather imagery, warning of a “bad moon” and alluding to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters as symbols of disaster. Fogerty later explained that the inspiration for the song came from the 1941 film The Devil and Daniel Webster

, in which a character makes a deal with the devil and his crops are spared while others are destroyed by a hurricane. This imagery of natural calamity and the theme of an apocalypse influenced the song’s lyrics.

Fogerty recalled the contrast between the cheerful, upbeat melody and the dark subject matter, acknowledging the unexpected juxtaposition as he and the band worked on the song. The combination of the catchy tune with ominous lyrics created a unique and memorable sound, setting the track apart from others of its time.

Legacy
“Bad Moon Rising” has become a classic, with its lyrics “Don’t go around tonight / Well, it’s bound to take your life / There’s a bad moon on the rise” cementing its place in pop culture. It has been covered by more than 20 different artists in a variety of genres, including folk, reggae, and psychedelic rock. In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 364 on their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

The song was featured in popular media, including the films An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Twilight Zone: The Movie (1982), where it was used to heighten tension, particularly in scenes involving full moons and werewolves.

One of the most famous aspects of the song is the misheard lyric: “There’s a bad moon on the rise,” often heard as “There’s a bathroom on the right.” This mix-up has become a fun, enduring joke among fans, and John Fogerty even joined in on the humor, occasionally singing the wrong lyrics during performances.

The song’s enduring popularity speaks to its unique blend of infectious rhythm, darkly prophetic lyrics, and universal appeal. “Bad Moon Rising” remains one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most beloved tracks and a staple of classic rock radio.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I see the bad moon arising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin’
I see bad times today

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[Chorus]
Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

[Verse 2]
I hear hurricanes a-blowing
I know the end is coming soon
I fear rivers overflowing
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

[Chorus]
Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise
All right

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye

[Chorus]
Well, don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

[Chorus]
Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise