John Fogerty Presents the Full Story on the Day I Wrote “Bad Moon Rising”
As a songwriter, there are moments in time when the inspiration hits you like a bolt of lightning. It’s rare, but when it does, you know you’ve got something special. “Bad Moon Rising” was one of those songs for me—an unexpected burst of creativity that seemed to flow from nowhere and everywhere all at once. It was a day I’ll never forget, and I’m happy to share the full story behind how the song came to be.
It was the spring of 1969, and I was living in a small house in El Cerrito, California. At the time, I was working with Creedence Clearwater Revival, the band I had formed with my brother Tom and a few friends. We had already had some success with our previous songs, but we were hungry for more. We had a solid, tight band, but I was still grappling with the pressure of coming up with something fresh and unique to put us on the map in a bigger way.
I had been reading the news, as most people do, and the world seemed to be in chaos. The Vietnam War was raging on, civil rights struggles were intensifying, and people were losing hope. It wasn’t just a bad time politically; there was a general sense of unease in the air. That feeling of impending doom, of an uncertain future, was everywhere. I felt it personally, and I knew it was something I wanted to express in my music.
One afternoon, I sat down at my piano, just like I often did when I needed to clear my head. I had no clear idea for a song, but I started playing a few simple chords. I wasn’t trying to write a hit song; I wasn’t even trying to write anything in particular. But as I played, something clicked. The sound of those chords felt right—propulsive and driving, almost like the sound of an approaching storm.
Then, out of nowhere, the words “Don’t go around tonight / Well, it’s bound to take your life / There’s a bad moon on the rise” popped into my head. It was like a floodgate opening. I wasn’t consciously thinking about anything specific at that moment, but the words fit the mood perfectly. There was something cinematic about it, like I was painting a picture of a natural disaster, but with deeper, more symbolic meaning.
The title “Bad Moon Rising” came to me just as quickly. I wanted to capture that feeling of something bad coming—like the sky was darkening and trouble was on the way. But it wasn’t just about a literal moon; it was more about the sense of foreboding that we all seemed to be feeling at that time. It was a perfect metaphor for the anxiety that was in the air.
I had the core of the song within an hour, maybe less. The melody, the lyrics, the rhythm—everything just fell into place so easily that it felt like the song was always there, waiting for me to discover it. I finished writing it in one sitting, and once I had the lyrics and the basic structure down, I immediately picked up my guitar and started to play it with the band. I knew it was something special, and I was excited to see how it would come together.
When I brought “Bad Moon Rising” to the rest of the band, I didn’t have to explain much. The vibe of the song was clear—this was a track that needed to have energy and a sense of urgency. It wasn’t just a song with a message; it was a call to action, a warning about what was happening in the world. The rhythm was crucial; it had to have that driving, almost frantic pace. The band and I worked quickly to nail it down, adding little touches here and there, but the foundation of the song was solid from the start.
When we went into the studio to record it, everything felt right. The sound was raw but polished, and there was a clarity to the song that made it instantly recognizable. We added the signature tambourine shake and subtle touches that gave the track a little extra texture, but at its heart, it was a simple, direct song about the uncertainty of the times. And I think that’s part of why it resonated so much with people.
“Bad Moon Rising” was released as a single in April 1969, and it hit the top 10 on the charts in a matter of weeks. It was a huge success for Creedence Clearwater Revival, and it seemed to capture the mood of the moment. People from all walks of life connected with it—its simplicity, its energy, and the way it perfectly encapsulated that sense of impending doom. It became an anthem for a generation that was struggling with fear and confusion, and in many ways, it still holds that power today.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was that “Bad Moon Rising” came to me in such a flash of inspiration. It wasn’t a song I labored over for months or years—it just happened, like a sudden storm. But the truth is, that’s how the best songs often come to be: they’re not planned, they’re not forced, they just find their way out of you when the time is right.
It’s been over five decades since I wrote that song, and it still feels as fresh as ever. “Bad Moon Rising” has become one of those timeless tracks that continues to stand the test of time. It’s been used in movies, TV shows, and commercials, and it remains one of the most recognized songs of the 1960s. I’m proud of it, and I’m grateful that it still means something to people today.
Sometimes, I wish I could go back and experience that moment of creation again—sitting at the piano, feeling the inspiration flow, and watching a song come to life. But in a way, the memory of that day is just as powerful as the song itself. The day I wrote “Bad Moon Rising” will always be one of the most magical moments in my career, and it’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of songwriting and creativity. You never know when that next big idea will come, but when it does, you better be ready to catch it.
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