Roots Rock
The song “Down on the Corner” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (known to many as just CCR) was an international succes. In 1969, it went to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #10 on Cash Box, #1 in Canada, #2 in Australia and Germany, #8 in The Netherlands, #9 in Austria, and in the Top 40 at #31 in the U.K. It was awarded an RIAA platinum record. The B-Side “Fortunate Son,” a protest song, was a charting hit as well. “Down on the Corner” was also released on CCR’s 1969 album Willy and the Poor Boys.
CCR member John Fogerty wrote this song about a band of musicians who play on their homemade instruments on street corners and bring happiness to the people. Don’t forget to give them a nickel! When the band appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, they appeared as Willy and Poor Boys, with Stu Cook playing a gut bass. The group lineup at the time was John Fogerty (lead vocals, lead guitar, harmonica, keyboard, sax), Tom Fogerty (rhythm guitar, keyboard, piano, backing vocals), Stu Cook (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), and Doug Clifford (drums, percussions, backing vocals).
There have been numerous covers of the song, including versions by Jerry Reed, The Mavericks, Big Country, Beastie Boys, The Goo Goo Dolls, Street Corner Symphony, Miram Makeba, The Osmond Brothers, Harry Belafonte, and Bryan Adams.
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[…] click here for “Down on the Corner,” if you want to read about and listen to another song by […]
[…] For other songs by CCR: “Bad Moon Rising” and “Down on the Corner.” […]