Tag: John Fogerty

It’s Like Deja Vu All Over Again

The invasion of Ukraine has left many of us asking how we got to this point, what we can do, and some of the questions John Fogerty raised in the song “Deja Vu (All Over Again)”

As we watch events unfold in Ukraine, there is a feeling of helplessness around the world. Those who hope for a better world and wish for more to be done to stop the senseless killing, may understand the logistics of the world standing by. But it is a sad reminder of the state of affairs of humanity throughout history.

In 2004, John Fogerty released a song comparing the U.S. invasion of Iraq with the Vietnam War. He explained that the song, “Deja Vu (All Over Again),” was not meant to be political but about the sadness of the destruction caused by war. Not surprisingly, considering the name of the song, as well as the flow of history, the song unfortunately remains relevant today.

So tonight as I watch the humanitarian crisis unfolding, like many others I feel helpless in that I only am offering up a small prayer, finding a small bit of solace knowing that other humans around the world have the same feelings of despair and the same unanswered prayers.

Day after day another Momma’s crying;
She’s lost her precious child,
To a war that has no end.

Did you hear ’em talkin’ ’bout it on the radio?
Did you stop to read the writing at The Wall?
Did that voice inside you say,
I’ve seen this all before;
It’s like Deja Vu all over again.

John Fogerty and Family Gift Us “Green River” from the Campfire

As people are locked down at home during the coronavirus pandemic, John Fogerty has joined other artists sending us gifts through video. Most recently, he gave us a video of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Green River.”

The video features Fogerty with his children Shane, Tyler and Kelsey around the campfire, apparently from Fogerty’s Ventura, California home. With Fogerty’s great voice, one cannot get much better than this one. In addition to the campfire, there are marshmallows and a stuffed Winnie the Pooh.

Fogerty begins the video with an explanation of how he got the title “Green River.” A drink inspired the song. Check out the pandemic video of the day.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    John Fogerty Rocks One More Time for Letterman

    Fogerty Letterman

    This week, John Fogerty pulled out several of his classic Creedence Clearwater Revival tunes in a medley on The Late Show with David Letterman. At a thunderous pace, Fogerty played excerpts from “Travelin’ Band,” “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son.”

    Having seen Fogerty live during the era where he did not play CCR songs because of legal battles, I am always happy to see him bust out these great songs even though I also love his post-CCR songs. Note where Fogerty points when he gets to the “Proud Mary” lines about leaving a good job in the city. Check it out.

    If you wish to catch Fogerty live singing some of his CCR songs, check out his tour this summer. As for Letterman, watch for this final show on May 20, 2015.

    What CCR song would you like to hear Fogerty perform? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Did That Voice Inside You Say I’ve Heard It All Before?

    woods I am starting to feel overwhelmed with all of the news reporting of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

    Did you hear ’em talkin’ ’bout it on the radio,
    Did you try to read the writing on the wall?

    There are all of the arguments about gun control. There are the media interviews with the people who knew the troubled briefcase-carrying kid who became the shooter, Adam Lanza, although I know we probably will not use the information about him to gain any new understanding about helping kids like him before these tragedies occur. There are the Internet rumors, where I see over and over again on Facebook and Twitter how Morgan Freeman wrote an essay about the tragedy when it was so obviously a hoax (but he eventually had to waste his time telling us it was a hoax). Others question whether there will be copycat shootings. And then there is the struggle to give some meaning to the fact that around the same time a mentally ill man in China attacked kids at a school with a knife, injuring 22 students.

    Day after day another Momma’s crying,
    She’s lost her precious child

    And there are the heartbreaking stories about all the kids and adults killed in the shooting as the funerals begin. I keep thinking how many of those families go home every night to a Christmas tree with wrapped presents that no longer have a recipient. And then I cannot take any more and I turn off the TV for awhile.

    But we also realize that we have been here before, and not only do I not have any answers, nobody else does either.

    Did that voice inside you say
    I’ve seen this all before?
    It’s like Deja Vu all over again.

    Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty released “DeJa Vu (All Over Again)” as a title track on his album of the same name in 2004, apparently taking the title from the great baseball philosopher Yogi Berra. The song was written to point out similarities between the Iraq war and the Vietnam war, and it stands as one of Fogerty’s best songs in recent years.

    Unfortunately, the song’s lyrics fit more than just the war, including the recent tragedy.

    Maybe fake Morgan Freeman was right that we should just turn off the news for a little while, perhaps while we crank up the music.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Pop Culture Roundup (Mid-January 2012)

    24 complete series Keifer Sutherland

    In case you were too busy driving around with your dog on your car roof or wondering how to finish that research paper with Wikipedia going dark for a day in protest of a proposed law, here are some of the recent pop culture stories you might have missed.

    Movies

    The Los Angeles Times notes that four recent movies leave the viewer with an open ending. (Watch out for spoilers!)

    Do the proposed new rules for the documentary category of the Academy Awards make sense?

    George Clooney is planning a movie about art historians rescuing art looted by the Nazis.

    Keifer Sutherland reports that shooting for a 24 movie could start in a few months.

    A new documentary looks at the life and career of comedian Bernie Mac.

    Metromix has 21 films to watch for in 2012.

    Another Bruce Almighty sequel is in the works, but this time with Jim Carrey returning.

    James Franco’s new movie about the life of writer Hart Crane is available on demand or through download. (review)

    This year, four film classics return to theaters but this time in 3-D. . .

    The Los Angeles Times takes a look at the character of Sherlock Holmes’s sidekick Watson on the screen through the years.

    NY Times reviews new documentary in the Paradise Lost series about the West Memphis 3, recently cleared of murder.

    Why an empty box was the Star Wars holiday gift sensation in 1977.

    Wes Anderson’s upcoming film is Moonrise Kingdom:

    Music

    Owl and Bear has an interesting list of top 2011 albums.

    The New York Times reviewed Glen Campbell’s “Farewell Tour” performance in NY.

    Bill Moyers explains why Woody Guthrie is relevant now.

    Kelly Willis talks about making an album with her husband Bruce Robison. (No Depression)

    Madlands? Bruce Springsteen’s forthcoming album is angry. (Paste)

    A conversation with Texas legendary troubadour Billy Joe Shaver.

    Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift will perform at Grammy Awards on Feb. 12.

    A proposed Indiana law sets performance standards (w/ fines) for the national anthem at public schools and colleges.

    Turnstyled Junkpiled has a “tribute show” collection of videos of artists covering Townes Van Zandt songs.

    John Fogerty made a guest appearance on the new Fox TV show The Finder, also singing the theme song.

    Van Halen     just released its first David Lee Roth video since 1996.

    Television

    The Golden Globes award show was on Sunday, leading to the question: Do the Golden Globes pick better winners than the Oscars?

    The 500th episode of The Simpsons airs Feb. 19.

    The Paley Center for Media celebrates Bill Cosby’s 50 years in show biz.

    AMC is developing a Goodfellas TV series. Yeah, I think this is funny. Clown funny.

    Hostess Twinkies

    Other Pop Culture News

    Alvin! Check out the history of Alvin and the Chimpmunks.

    Barry Larkin on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    A new biography of Stephen Hawking celebrates the ideas of the world’s most famous scientist. (review)

    Better start stockpiling those Twinkies and cupcakes. Hostess filed for bankruptcy.

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