Swamp rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival are without question one of the most influential and iconic bands of the classic rock era. Perhaps their most enduring and often-discussed song is 1970’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”, which was written by lead vocalist and guitarist John Fogerty and released on their 1970 album Pendulum. Show
Many have speculated about the meaning of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”, attributing it to the Vietnam War (like “Fortunate Son”) or other political causes, but the truth is that the song has a more personal meaning for Fogerty and the rest of CCR. According to Fogerty, the song was actually written about the band’s internal conflict following their massive success, and the rift that was forming between himself and the rest of the band. From the outside, in 1970 it looked as if Creedence were at the top of their game. 1969 saw the release of three hit albums and June 1970’s Cosmo Factory topped the rock charts for nine weeks, not to mention a headlining performance at Woodstock that people are still talking about today. However, by the time they were set to record material for Pendulum, tensions within the band were at an all-time high. Apparently, the whole band was annoyed that John Fogerty wanted to maintain artistic control, while they all wanted more input. Fogerty insisted that having him in charge of things and as the main creative driver of the band has led to their success, who why would they change things up now? This created a power struggle that had the the band on the brink of imploding, which Tom has spoken about many times in interviews over the years. Perhaps the conflict between brothers Tom and John Fogerty was the most intense, and Tom ended up leaving the band in January 1971, not long after the release of Pendulum. CCR didn’t last long after Tom Fogerty left, with their 1972 album Mardi Gras being totally panned by critics. While it did contain the great song “Someday Never Comes”, the album was lacking in depth and on the whole is certainly their weakest. They had simply lost their spark, and started to hate each other. They called it quits shortly after the album’s release. These were musicians who had played together since they were in middle school, first forming in 1959 as a cover band called The Blue Velvets. Later, in 1964 they changed their name to the Golliwog. Finally, in 1968 they started getting attention from major labels and decided to change their name one last time to the one that stuck: Creedence Clearwater Revival. They imploded during a time that should have been bright and sunny, at the start of a long and successful career. Egos breaking up rock and roll bands is a story as old as time, though, and conflicting attitudes within the band brought down the rain on that bright and sunny day, hence Fogerty’s lyrics to “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”.
The song has had a lasting impact on the rock & roll landscape for over 50 years now, and is frequently in rotation even today on classic rock radio alongside dozens of other CCR songs. “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” has also been covered by many artists, including every bar band known to man plus notable names like Johnny Cash, Joan Jett, Rod Stewart, and many more. It’s a beloved song from a beloved era, and it so beautifully describes the feeling of being down and out even when life’s circumstances should have you feeling happy and upbeat. An official music video for “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” was released by the band’s organization in 2018 in celebration of their 50th anniversary. You can watch that video below. This was one of the last great Creedence Clearwater Revival songs, as underlined by the dozens of cover versions, from Johnny Cash to Rod Stewart. Published on January 30, 2022By  Creedence Clearwater Revival artwork: UMG Another classic Creedence Clearwater Revival single started its journey into the public’s hearts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of January 30, 1971. That was the chart that contained the debut of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,“ released as a 45 from the album Listen to the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival on Apple Music and Spotify.. It’s a song that has only grown in stature as the passing decades burnish the group’s remarkable legacy – and it tells its own private but poignant tale of their impending fracture. CCR had been one of the top names in rock for well over two years by the time of the release, with seven Top 10 singles and seven million-sellers to their name and a major international presence. The bloom may have been off the rose by now in terms of frontman and songwriter John Fogerty’s feelings towards the band, but the hits kept coming – if not for that much longer. His brother Tom left the band just after the release of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” which duly gave the remaining members an eighth US million-selling single. But there would be only one more, in “Sweet Hitch-Hiker.”
ADVERTISEMENT Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Official) Watch this video on YouTube Click to load video In his autobiography Fortunate Son, John Fogerty didn’t mince words about his frustration at the time he wrote the 1971 hit. “‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ is about the breakup of the band,” he confided. “I was feeling, ‘Man, we achieved all our dreams. And you guys are only talking about negative stuff.’ By your own volition, you bring in a huge rain cloud and cause it to rain. On your own perfect dream. That’s the way I saw it. I was watching the band disintegrate right in front of my eyes.” Triple platinum by 2020Pendulum reached No.5 in the US, its success propelled in no small measure by this new single. “Rain” jumped onto the US chart, with its B-side “Hey Tonight” also listed, at No.56, in the same week as the Jackson 5’s “Mama’s Pearl” and as Dawn’s pop tune “Knock Three Times” continued at No.1. The Creedence single peaked at No.8, in March, and hit No.36 in the UK. It went gold within a few weeks of release, and in December 2020, the RIAA increased its certification to a lofty triple platinum. The Cash Box trade review of the single at the time heard a new direction for Creedence. “Showing their first major change since establishing themselves on the rock front,” wrote the magazine, ”Creedence Clearwater slows and softens their sound in this single from the Pendulum monster. While ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ comes as close to a ballad as anything from CCR, the flip features their unique power to turn this into a two-sided giant.” In the summer of 1971, the band started their first American tour as a trio, and then in September, their second European itinerary began in Holland. The glory days of CCR were coming towards an end, but “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” stands as one of their last great songs, as underlined by dozens of cover versions, from Johnny Cash to Joan Jett and from Rod Stewart to the Ramones. Not to mention its repeat rotation in practically every bar, shop and playlist across many decades. Listen to the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival on Apple Music and Spotify. Happily, Fogerty came to think of the song in a much more positive light in later years. Introducing it to a crowd at a 2012 show, he said: “This song was originally written about a very sad thing that was going on in my life. But I refuse to be sad now. Because now this song reminds me of my little girl, Kelsy, and every time I sing it, I think about Kelsy and rainbows.” The following year, he teamed up with country superstar Alan Jackson to cut a new version for John’s all-star Wrote A Song For Everyone album. Buy or stream “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” on the Pendulum album. ADVERTISEMENT Related Topics:Classic RockCreedence Clearwater RevivalJackson 5John FogertyJohnny CashOn This DayRockRod Stewart 6 Comments 6 Comments
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