Lines of
Inspiration
Melodious expressions, Enduring Truisms
F
John
Fogerty
“Rode in on a
Greyhound, I’ll be walking out if I go…”
Song
Title: Lodi
Songwriter:
John Fogerty
The
Band:
Creedence
Clearwater Revival
This four member band out of San Francisco blazed themselves
a notable trail through the Roots – or Swamp – rock genre.
At the impressionable age of 11, when ‘Lodi’ turned up on
the flipside of “Bad Moon Rising”, I interpreted the song title ‘Lodi’ as a
state of mind; “Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi
again,” Apparently I wasn’t far off the mark, since Fogerty says his
inspiration for the song was a downtrodden elderly man he’d seen on a street
corner (before ever setting foot in the town Fogerty simply liked the name of). “At
the beginning of a good career,” Fogerty went on, “I was hoping that wouldn’t
happen to me.”
With that, I offer a piece of a 17th century
phrase my grandma wrote on one of the back pages of my teenage journal:
“Remember me as you pass by,
as you are now
so once was I”
And just to get your toes tapping: Traveling
Band
So, how about those lines? Do they call to mind a memory?
Instill a sense of wonder? Are you familiar with the song, phrase or band?
There’s
a whole lotta blogging going on right here!
Hi, diedre!
ReplyDeleteI would have gone with José Feliciano for the block or Freddy Fender for the win. :)
Good morning, dear friend - (friend with a capital "F"). I am very familiar with gravel voiced John Fogerty. His CCR band's music formed the soundtrack of my life during my four years of college and, in the mid 80s, his solo songs and videos "Old Man Down the Road" and "Centerfield" were played often on the MTV station where I worked.
I like the groove of the "Lodi" recording which is similar to "Proud Mary." The lyrics tell the familiar story of a small town kid who dreams of bigger and better things. He sets out on the road (in a traveling band) in search of fame and fortune and soon discovers the grass that appeared greener on the other side of the fence is nothing but crab grass. Stardom proving much more elusive than he imagined, he returns again and again to the comfort and familiarity of his hometown.
It is interesting that Fogerty's CCR is another band that achieved a countrified, southern rock sound, even though they originated in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The message your grandma left for you on the back of your journal is a powerful and wise one. I am sure it has been a source of inspiration over the years.
Thank you, dear friend diedre!
Hi Shady!
DeleteFreddy Fender might just make an appearance later in this challenge ;-)
You've an interesting interpretation; what a story the entire album would tell if we connected all the dots and nuances.
I like the boldness of a band who will step outside what's expected i.e., southern rock from a bay area band ;-) Crossover bands and artists intrigue me as well.
Over the years my thoughts about the phrase that grandma left went from mildly curious, to growing concern, to "Why didn't I get it sooner?". Just life, I guess.
Keep thinking the good thoughts, dear Shady!
So often you think you know a song when all you really know are the words and tune. So often there's a back story which we know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteThe Fish Inn, Amble Bay
Hi Keith!
DeleteOften as not, a backstory adds richness to the song and I like it even more ;-)
One of my favourites! John Fogerty and CCR played a large part in my life's soundtrack, 'Lodi" brings back bittersweet memories of an ex who died young (upcoming posts 'I' and 'R', although I don't use the song). It was his favourite CCR tune.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful quote from your grandmother. We were all young, once. ☺
Hi Debbie!
DeleteOh my gosh - I'll be sure to catch the upcoming posts! Of course, I plan on it anyway ;-).
Though the song is a bit mournful, I like the line "I'll be walking out if I go," because options are always good in hard times - even small options ;-)
I was already hooked on Creedence, when I bought the 45rpm that featured "Lodi" on the back side. It blew my mind that Fogerty had incorporated a Bakersfield sound into the track. I did not realize, they were a California band... I am still a fan, after all these years. I just wish I had hung onto all their 8 Tracks that I bought.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael!
DeleteI had the 45 before I had the means to play it - ha! Do you still have an 8 track player?
I used to listen to a lot of CCR. Great music! I forgotten the lines, but I know the feeling cause I've thought the same thing sometimes.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Arlee!
DeleteI did too! Oddly, not many of my friends (at the time) cared for the band, but I remained a fan ;-)
I well remember that band. wonderful post Diedre.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week-end.
Yvonne.
Hi Yvonne!
DeleteThank you :-)
Wishing you an enjoyable weekend as well!
Hi Diedre - fascinating back story to Fogerty and his take for 'Lodi' ... and Bakersfield rings a bell now (via the blogging world) ...
ReplyDeleteFun post - thank you ... and no street corners for me - cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary!
DeleteFor the longest time I didn't realize 'Lodi' was even a real town.
No street corners for me, either. But I might be a bag or cat lady ;-)