So why is Creedence Clearwater Revival on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
There’s something about CCR’s cover version of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A There’s something about CCR’s cover version of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell On You” – with its insistent guitar strum and hypnotic yet slightly unsettling swamp blues vibe – that, well, casts an enchantment if you can dig.
It’s the kind of song where looking at the song title kicks it off playing in my head (and sometimes won’t completely vacate the premises for a goodly number of days).
Near the end of my freshman year at Binghamton University, I started dating a young lady who wound up becoming my first serious girlfriend. At the time, I owned a CD that was called The Best of Creedence Clearwater Revival, or CCR’s Very Best, or some such, and one of my favorite songs on it was “Suzie Q,” which is pulled from CCR’s self-titled album.
My girlfriend’s last name started with the letter “Q,” so I enjoyed switching out her nickname (which I’ll withhold here to protect the innocent) into the song’s repetition of, “Oh Suzie Q!” I mention this simply to note that beyond still thinking that “Suzie Q” the song is pretty great, it holds an extra dimension of nostalgia and memory for me*.
* “Suzie Q” forms part of the soundtrack for that relationship in a strange way, alongside “World Leader Pretend” from R.E.M.’s Green (#180 of best 1,000 albums ever), on the other end. For reasons that are difficult to explain, the line “This is my mistake, let me make it good” hit home – and became the soundtrack to my junior year, kind of.
“Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won’t Do)” is a great boot-stomping, rock and blues deep cut with jangling guitars that I find most catchy and appealing.
“The Working Man” shows John Fogerty and the band’s deep sympathy with the working class during an era when it was often young, working-class men being drafted into Vietnam. And on a musical note, I’m really impressed with the guitar work on this one, as I am with the album as a whole.
Some stats & info about Creedence Clearwater Revival
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Rock Music, Country Rock, Blues Rock
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – not ranked!
- All Music’s rating – 4 out of 5 stars
- When was Creedence Clearwater Revival released? 1968
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #532 out of 1,000
Creedence Clearwater Revival on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from Creedence Clearwater Revival that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
I ain’t never been in trouble, I ain’t got the time. I don’t mess around with magic, child, what I got is mine.
I asked ChatGPT to write a song in the style of Creedence Clearwater Revival about the album Creedence Clearwater Revival by the band Creedence Clearwater Revival
Listen up y’all, I’ve got a story to tell
About an album, that I love so well
With roots in the swamp, and a sound so divine
It’s Creedence Clearwater Revival, every time
CCR, CCR, they’re the band that can’t be beat
Their music flows like a river, so smooth and so sweet
With their classic hits, they’ve won over the nation
CCR, CCR, it’s a celebration
From “Susie Q” to “Fortunate Son”, they’ve got it all
Each song, a masterpiece, standing tall
With John Fogerty’s voice, that sends chills down your spine
It’s Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of a kind
CCR, CCR, they’re the band that can’t be beat
Their music flows like a river, so smooth and so sweet
With their classic hits, they’ve won over the nation
CCR, CCR, it’s a celebration
So if you want some good old rock and roll
Put on this album, let it take control
With its roots in the bayou, it’ll take you away
To a place of pure happiness, where you’ll want to stay
CCR, CCR, they’re the band that can’t be beat
Their music flows like a river, so smooth and so sweet
With their classic hits, they’ve won over the nation
CCR, CCR, it’s a celebration
So turn it up, and let the good times roll
With Creedence Clearwater Revival, in your soul
Their music will always be timeless and true
CCR, CCR, we love you!
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.