The Greatest Oldies Music

Oldies Musics

Who’ll Stop the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)

Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Green River' At 50: Our Essential Guide To Early CCR : NPR

About the Song

Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), a band synonymous with swamp rock and anthemic singalongs, unleashed a powerful and thought-provoking song called “Who’ll Stop the Rain” in 1970. This track, featured on their album Cosmo’s Factory, became an instant classic, capturing a sense of unease and yearning for hope that resonated deeply with listeners.

A Song with Layers

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a song with layers. The driving rhythm section, punctuated by John Fogerty’s iconic guitar riffs, creates a sense of urgency. Fogerty’s raw and soulful vocals deliver lyrics that paint a picture of societal unrest and longing for better days.

The song takes a historical approach, referencing “good men through the ages” who have grappled with similar struggles. It then critiques recent social movements and political promises (“Five Year Plans and New Deals/wrapped in golden chains”) that seem to offer little progress. Finally, it shifts to the present, with the repeated question “Who’ll stop the rain?” serving as a powerful metaphor for the longing for an end to hardship and uncertainty.

A Timeless Classic

Despite its specific references to the social climate of the late 1960s, “Who’ll Stop the Rain” transcends time. The universal themes of struggle, hope, and resilience resonate with listeners today just as powerfully as they did in 1970. The song has been featured in countless films and television shows, a testament to its enduring impact on popular culture.

Whether sung along to at a rock concert or listened to introspectively, “Who’ll Stop the Rain” remains a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

Creedence Clearwater Revival At Royal Albert Hall: No Encores, But Worth The 52-Year Wait | GRAMMY.com

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Lyrics: Who’ll Stop the Rain

Long as I remember
The rain been comin’ down
Clouds of mystery pourin’
Confusion on the ground
Good men through the ages
Tryin’ to find the sun
And I wonder
Still, I wonder
Who’ll stop the rainI went down Virginia
Seekin’ shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable
I watched the tower grow
Five-year plans and new deals
Wrapped in golden chains
And I wonder
Still, I wonder
Who’ll stop the rainHeard the singers playin’
How we cheered for more
The crowd had rushed together
Tryin’ to keep warm
Still, the rain kept pourin’
Fallin’ on my ears
And I wonder
Still I wonder
Who’ll stop the rain

 

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When people look back on Elvis Presley’s final years, they sometimes reduce his story to a single question about medication. But the truth is far more complex and far more human. Behind the headlines was a man living with significant health problems, chronic pain, exhaustion, and the relentless demands of a life that rarely allowed him to rest. Every night, millions expected Elvis Presley. Very few wondered how much it cost the man behind the name.

There are moments in life that no amount of success can protect us from, and for Elvis Presley, one of those moments came in October 1973. It was the day Lisa Marie left Graceland to begin living with her mother after Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage had come to an end. The world saw the headlines of a famous divorce. Elvis felt something far more personal. He was watching the little girl who had become the center of his world walk away from the home they had shared.

The first time Mac Davis saw Elvis Presley, he never forgot the feeling. Years later, the memory remained as vivid as if it had happened the day before. “He was the most beautiful man you ever saw,” Mac once said, but he was talking about far more than appearance. There was something impossible to explain about Elvis. When he entered a room, conversations faded, heads turned without thinking, and for a brief moment it seemed as though the entire world had quietly stopped to watch him breathe.

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