In 1970, John Fogerty had his darkest day and wrote “one of my very favourite songs”. It has now been streamed 2,600,000,000 times
John Fogerty wrote Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” as the band’s tensions mounted, despite its growing commercial success. The song captured the contrast between outward achievement and the turmoil within, and remains widely heard, with more than 2.6 billion Spotify streams.
Fogerty said Tom’s departure after the 1970 album *Pendulum* made the band’s future seem bleak; CCR broke up in 1972. He later gave the song a happier meaning, saying he thinks of his daughter Kelsey when he performs it, and called it one of his favourite songs.
In short
- Fogerty wrote the song amid growing tension in CCR.
- It has passed 2.6 billion Spotify streams.
- He now associates performing it with his daughter Kelsey.
Explained simply
Creedence Clearwater Revival were an American rock band led by singer and songwriter John Fogerty. They had major hits around the turn of the 1970s, but success did not prevent tensions among the band members.
John’s brother Tom Fogerty was also a member. He left after the band’s 1970 album Pendulum, and Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up in 1972. The song has since taken on a more personal meaning for John, who has said he thinks of his daughter Kelsey when he performs it.