Let’s stretch this rain thing out another day with today’s classic rain-themed song of the day, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This track, released in January of 1971, peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Cash Box Top 100.
Many have interpreted “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” as a reflection on the loss of idealism of the ’60s generation following Altamont, Kent State, and the Manson murders. (And if those names mean nothing to you, look ’em up!) John Fogerty, who should know because he wrote the thing, disputes this interpretation, instead saying he wrote it as CCR was starting to break apart with the departure of his brother Tom. The band was rich and famous, he said, yet still they were depressed, unhappy, and arguing all the time. Thus the line, “Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day?” That makes sense.
CCR was huge back in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Their string of hits included “Suzie Q” (#11 in 1968), “Proud Mary” (#2 in 1969), “Bad Moon Rising” (also #2 in 1969), “Green River” (also also #2 in 1969), the double-sided hit “Down on the Corner”/”Fortunate Son” (#3 in 1969), another double-sided hit with “Who’ll Stop the Rain”/”Travelin’ Band” (#2 in 1970), another double-sided hit with “Up Around the Bend”/”Run Through the Jungle” (#4 in 1970), yet another double-sider with “Lookin’ Out My Back Door”/”Long As I Can See the Light” (#2 in 1970), and the single-sided single, “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” (#6 in 1971). A quick glance at this list reveals that despite all that success, they never had a #1 song on the Billboard chart. Hmm.
As noted, John’s brother Tom Fogerty, who played rhythm guitar, left the band in early 1971, shortly after recording “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” John, who was the band’s lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, increasingly clashed over finances with bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (as well as with their record label, Fantasy Records). That eventually caused the band to break up for good in late 1972.
Post-Creedence, John Fogerty has had a very successful solo career and still tours to this day. Stu Cook and Doug Clifford took a lot of side gigs and eventually toured in a band they cheekily called Creedence Clearwater Revisited, performing the original band’s songs with additional musicians. Tom Fogerty tried going solo, to little success, and passed away in 1990 of complications from AIDS. He was 48 years old.
