John Fogerty Sometimes Sings Misheard Versions Of His Own Lyrics

By Andrew Magnotta @AndrewMagnotta

August 19, 2021

John Fogerty likes to think of himself as a "craftsman" when it comes to writing songs, but that doesn't mean he begrudges anyone for not understanding the words he's singing.

Speaking to Q104.3 New York's Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein Thursday morning, Fogerty talked about his lifelong obsession with the guitar and how after all these years he still has his old lyric books from his Creedence Clearwater Revival days.

Given the pride he has in his work, Sonstein asked if the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is bothered at all by people comically mishearing the lyrics to CCR's very serious 1969 hit "Bad Moon Rising."

If you've ever misheard "There's a bad moon on the rise" as "There's a bathroom on the right," you're not alone. But also, Fogerty is undeterred by the misinterpretation.

"Not only does it not bug me, I sing that myself nowadays," he admitted. "Have fun with it! People were mishearing the words, as we all do, especially in rock and roll with singers who get excited and kind of rush their words."

He held up a frequently confused line in Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded By the Light" as another example, among many throughout rock history.

"There's a bunch of them and the more echo there is on the singer's voice, the more these things will happen," Fogerty said.

Watch the full interview via the player above!

Fogerty will be in New York this weekend performing Saturday, August 21, at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's 'Never Forget' Concert benefit, supporting veterans and victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Photo: AFP
John FogertyCreedence Clearwater Revival
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