Creedence Clearwater Revival Debut Album Songs Ranked
Creedence Clearwater Revival is the debut studio album by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released on May 28, 1968. While the band did gain success with their chart debut, critics initially denied the band respect. Barry Gifford writing in Rolling Stone at the time stated, “The only bright spot in the group is John Fogerty, who plays lead guitar and does the vocals. He’s a better-than-average singer (really believable in Wilson Pickett’s “Ninety-Nine and a Half”), and an interesting guitarist. But there’s nothing else here. The drummer is monotonous, the bass lines are all repetitious and the rhythm guitar is barely audible.” Time has been far kinder to the album, although critics note that Fogerty’s songwriting talent had yet to truly blossom like it would on the band’s future albums and singles. Here are all of Creedence Clearwater Revival Debut Album songs ranked.
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8. Walk on the Water
“Another Golliwogs tune. A fan favourite and understandably so. Strong songwriting, this time by both Fogerty brothers. A neat ender to a really neat album. I wish they had stayed a bit more psyche-oriented later on, but it’s all good.”
7. Gloomy
“Sounds like it’s called. This is probably the most experimental we are gonna get from CCR unless they are jamming their ass off. We have backward guitars and an incredible tempo change somewhere near the middle, just before errupting into a lengthy solo. It’s crazy how you can make a 3:51 minute song sound long, without making it sound overlong.”
6. Porterville
“This one was suposedly released in October 1967, when the band was still fronting the name The Golliwogs. Great song. Nice harmonies and a catchy chorus.”
See more: Creedence Clearwater Revival Albums Ranked
5. Suzie Q
“Next in line we have the legendary cover of Dale Hawkins (another Hawkins!) classic masterpiece of ’57, if I’m correct. Once again Creedence proves they are able to reinvent a classic. Here we are served a freaking jam-feast. We get singing through the phone, electric guitar solos, haunting Ooooh‘s and a solid team effort.”
4. Get Down Woman
“We get to my personal weak-point of the album. the track does follow the same scheme as the 4 that came before, but ultimately has nothing new to offer. Still, not bad. Descent blues-rock.”
See more: Creedence Clearwater Revival Songs Ranked
3. The Working Man
“On we go. The next song is another guitar driven Fogerty-owned, however self composed blues rocker. Great stuff! The debut of CCR may be a tad forgettable, at least compared to their later albums, but it still established their style.”
2. Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won’t Do)
“That chorus, man. It just won’t find the exit door of my head. John Fogerty’s voice is the essence of this song. I like this band very much… Hailing from San Francisco and intellectually never compromising with the “situationist” maffia.”
1. I Put a Spell on You
“As every music-nerd should be, I am very aware that this is a cover version of the brilliant original of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. However, I find this cover version to be one of the best cover versions of all time. They don’t make the song their own, but the really breathe some serious CCR into it. It’s almost a completely different song. Fogerty’s strong voice (underrated singer guys, UNDERRATED) and his fabulous guitarwork (listen to that goddamn solo… It has got to be one of my favourites of all time) really build this track into an epic beast of a masterpiece.”