June 10, 2024

1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival ”Cosmo’s Factory”

30 minutes

Swamp rock afficianados, this is your podcast!

Despite forming in California, Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for their Louisiana sound often described as "swamp rock" or later as roots rock. They tended towards an earlier rock sound during a time when much of their fellow performers were moving in a more psychedelic direction. But CCR (as the band was known, or Creedence) would find prolific success in the time from 1969 to 1971 when they would produce 14 consecutive top 10 singles and five consecutive top 10 albums.

The band featuring front man and multi instrumentalist John Fogerty, brother Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Stu Cook on bass, and Doug Clifford on percussion got their start as a band playing rock standards and instrumentals in 1959 under the name "The Blue Velvets." They changed their name to "the Golliwogs" in 1964, then became CCR in 1967. The name Creedence Clearwater Revival comes from three sources - John Fogerty's friend Credence Newball, a beer commercial touting "clear water," and the word "revival" depicting the members' re-commitment to the band.

Cosmo's Factory is the band's fifth studio album takes its title from the warehouse in Berkeley where the band practiced in early days. Doug "Cosmo" Clifford called it "The Factory" because they practiced there almost daily. This album went to number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and remained there for nine weeks. It is one of those albums that appears to be a "greatest hits" album rather than a studio release because of the number of very familiar songs originating on it.

The group would be prolific, but short-lived. Tom Fogerty left the group at the end of 1971 and the rest had an acrimonious falling out shortly thereafter. But for a few years, CCR produced a gigantic body of work, despite never having a number 1 hit.

Wayne takes us through this classic album of swamp rock for this week's podcast.

Who'll Stop the Rain

Often considered a Viet Nam protest song, the inspiration for this track is actually Woodstock, where multitudes of music fans congregated in the rain to hear the music of the age. It was released as a double A single along with "Travelin' Band," and went to number 2 on the American charts.

Run Through the Jungle

Another song mistakenly considered to be a Viet Nam protest (and often used that way in films), Fogerty wrote this about the proliferation of guns in the United States, comparing city streets to a jungle. This was another double A single release, paired with "Up Around the Bend." It has appeared in multiple films including "Air America," "Rudy," and "Tropic Thunder."

Up Around the Bend

This track is a more straightforward invitation to a gathering that is, as you might guess, up around the bend. It went to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and number 3 on the UK singles charts. John Fogerty wrote this song, as he did most of the original CCR tracks.

Travelin' Band

This song draws its inspiration from 1950's rock songs, particularly paying homage to the style of Little Richard. The lyrics talk about a band on the road. It's reference to "737 coming out of the sky" - a new passenger plane at the time the song was written - put the song on a list of inappropriate tracks in a post-9/11 memo by Clear Channel.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the television series “Dark Shadows”

A feature length horro film entitled "House of Dark Shadows" was released in 1970 based on the vampire soap opera.

STAFF PICKS:

Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Lynch's staff pick has upbeat music that belies the sad lyrics depicting a man who has to put on a happy front despite facing the loss of his love. The track was originally recorded in 1966, but not released until 1970. It topped both the UK charts and the US Billboard Hot 100.

Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt

Rob's staff pick may not be a rock song in the traditional sense, but it shows off the vocal capabilities of one of the leading female rock figures prior to her breakthrough as a soloist. The song about a woman's undying love for a guy who will never be hers went to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross

Bruce features a song written by Ashford and Simpson in 1966, and originally a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell who took it to number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Diana Ross released this as a solo song with a reworked sound incorporating gospel elements with strings and horns. It went to number 1 making it Ross's first number 1 solo hit.

Vehicle by The Ides of March

Wayne presents a one-hit wonder out of Chicago with a funky sound and a great horns section. The vocalist and guitarist for The Ides of March would later become a founding member of Survivor. General Motors used this song extensively in national advertising, and it will tend to get you driving faster!

NOVELTY TRACK:

Chicken Strut by the Meters

This novelty song inspired a short-lived dance, and wraps up this week's podcast.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings