“Born On The Bayou,” written by Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty, is a classic track inspired by the imagery of the southern bayou, even though Fogerty had never actually been to one when writing it. Raised in Berkeley, California, he researched the bayou through encyclopedias, creating a fictional narrative of a bayou childhood. The inspiration for the song became more tangible when Fogerty visited a bayou in Louisiana in 1969, after meeting John Fred, the singer of “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses),” during a Creedence performance in Baton Rouge. Fred took him to Bayou Forche, where the sights and sounds of the bayou, including eating crabs and crayfish, inspired Fogerty’s songwriting.
The song originated in 1968 during a performance at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom. Fogerty recalled how, while the band was waiting to soundcheck as the opening act, he began playing the riff that would become “Born on the Bayou,” which was later perfected into the iconic song. Fogerty also cited gospel music and popular films as further influences for the track.
At Woodstock in 1969, “Born On The Bayou” was the first song Creedence played, marking a memorable moment in the band’s performance at the iconic festival. The band took the stage in the early hours of the morning, with many in the audience still asleep. Fogerty vividly recalled the surreal scene of seeing a lone person flicking a lighter in the distance, which gave him the inspiration to power through their set despite the mud-covered, half-conscious crowd.
“Born On The Bayou” remains one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most enduring songs, capturing the spirit of the American South, even though Fogerty had never lived in a bayou himself.
Lyrics
When I was just a little boy
Standin’ to my Daddy’s knee
My Papa said “Son, don’t let the man get you
And do what he done to me?
‘Cause he’ll get you
‘Cause he’ll get ya now, now”
Well, I can remember the Fourth of July
Runnin’ through the backwood bay
I can still hear my old hound dog barkin’
Chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Lord, Lord
Wish I were back on the bayou
Rollin’ with some Cajun Queen
Wish that I were a fast freight train
A-just a-choogling on down to New Orleans
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Do it, do it, do it, do it
I can remember the Fourth of July
Runnin’ through the backwood bay
And I can still hear my old hound dog barkin’
Chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou, Lord, Lord
Born on the bayou
Alright, do
Do it, do it, do it, do itAdvertisement
