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Creedence Clearwater Revival Best Songs
On The Acoustic

Welcome to the ultimate journey through the foot-tapping, alive feeling, and happy vibes of Creedence Clearwater Revival best songs! If you're a music enthusiast aged 35 to 65 with a soft spot for the music of the 1960s, you're in for a treat.

In this educational and entertaining exploration, we'll dive deep into the world of CCR songs, their chart-topping hits, and the band's enduring legacy as well as songs from John Fogerty as a solo artist.

Below you'll find several demos, chord sheets, rhythm tips and some background info to help you play some of these classic from CCR.

There are also purchase links to pick up the full instructional tutorials if you need those.

Creedence Clearwater Revival Greatest Hits

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13 more CCR songs here

Creedence Clearwater Revival Best Songs
Chords, Lyrics, Demos, Tutorials

1. Bad Moon Rising

bad moon rising guitar lesson

Bad Moon Rising was the lead off single from the bands Green River album which was released in the spring of 1969, four months before the album came out. This track was also written by John Fogerty.

The song reached #2 in the US and #1 in the UK. The inspiration came to John Fogerty after watching a 1941 film called The Devil And Daniel Webster.

The song's lyrics reflect a sense of impending doom and have been interpreted as a commentary on the turbulent social and political climate of the late 1960s.

With its irresistible melody and catchy lyrics, this song is a timeless classic that has been covered by countless artists.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: root down root up down and repeat
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: D, A, G
Chords & Lyrics

 

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2. Before You Accuse Me

beforeyouaccuseme

Before You Accuse Me was covered by CCR  but never released as a single. It's an old Bo Diddley song from 1957. 

The track appears on their debut album Creedence Clearwater Revival album.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down up down up and repeat
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: E, B7, A
Chords & Lyrics

 

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3. Born On The Bayou

born on the bayou guitar lesson

Born On The Bayou was a single from the 1968 album Bayou Country.

Surprisingly this song never charted anywhere. The only other single in the 60s and 70s that failed to chart somewhere was their very first single called Poterville. 

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: some arpeggio - down up down up and repeat and down-strokes in the picking
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: E7, D, A, E
Chords & Lyrics

 

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4. Cottonfields

Chords & Lyrics

 

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5. Down On The Corner

downonthecorner

Down On The Corner was one of two singles from the 1969 album "Willy And The Poor Boys"  and was written by John Fogerty.

"Down on the Corner" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969 and reached the top 10 in several countrues.

The song features a catchy rhythm and sing-along chorus, capturing the spirit of street musicians and the lively atmosphere of a fictional band called Willy and the Poor Boys performing on a street corner.

With its upbeat tempo and irresistible groove, this song is a true representation of CCR's signature sound.

  • Drop D Tuning:  No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: a steady up and down shuffle with some riffs
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: C, G, F
Chords & Lyrics

 

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6. Fortunate Son

fortunate son guitar lesson

Fortunate Son was the other single released from the Willy And The Poor Boys album.

This single managed to reach #3 in the US and #2 in Australia but never quite made it to the top. It was also written by John Fogerty. The track is a symbol of protest against the Vietnam War.

The song's distinctive guitar riff was created by John Fogerty to mimic the sound of a military march, adding to its rebellious and anti-establishment tone. As an anthem of protest against the Vietnam War, this track remains a powerful symbol of social and political unrest.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down-strokes for the most
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: G, F, C, D
Chords & Lyrics

 

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7. Green River

greenriver

Green River was without a doubt the bands most successful single release. Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, Green River and Commotion all came from that record. This track was also written by John Fogerty.

Green River" reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969 and was a top 10 in several other countries.

The title track of the album, "Green River" is a homage to the Green River, which runs through the band's home state of California. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for the countryside and the joys of simpler times.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down up down up with some riffs blended in throughout
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: E, C, A
Chords & Lyrics

 

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8. Have You Ever Seen The Rain

have you ever seen the rain guitar lesson

Have You Ever Seen The Rain was the first of two singles released by CCR in 1971 from their Pendulum album. The song was written by John Fogerty

And this song was a huge hit across several countries and did make it to #1 in Canada. In the US, Have You Ever Seen the Rain reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

This is probably one of the first CCR songs most people learn on guitar because it's a simple play and a great tune.

The lyrics are often interpreted as a reflection on the internal tensions and eventual breakup of Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as the changing dynamics within the band during that time. A heartfelt ballad that captures the essence of melancholic beauty, this song is a favorite among fans.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down down up down up down up and repeat
  • Picking: No just a few riffs
  • Chords: Em, C, G, D, D/Gb, Em/D
Chords & Lyrics

 

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9. Hearts Of Stone (Fogerty)

heartsofstone

Hearts Of Stone was a #37 in the US and a #35 when it was released as a single back in 1973 from John Fogerty's first solo album after the breakup of CCR.

The track can be found on The Blue Ridge Rangers album.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: 2nd fret
  • Rhythm: root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking: Yes a little
  • Chords: E, A, B7

Chords & Lyrics

 

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10. Hello Mary Lou

marylou

Mary Lou to my knowledge was never released as a single.

It was a track from their last album in 1972 called Mardi-Gras. This is an old Gene Pitney song that was first recorded by Johnny Duncan and then in 1961 by Ricky Nelson.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: root down up down up down up and repeat
  • Picking: Yes blended into the rhythm
  • Chords: A, D, E, Db7, Gbm, B7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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11. Hey Tonight

hey tonight guitar lesson

Hey Tonight charted in three countries when it was released as a single in 1971 from the Pendulum album.

It hit #1 in Belgium and Denmark and #9 in Australia and was written by John Fogerty. Hey Tonight reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

The song's upbeat tempo and infectious energy make it a fan favorite. It is often performed live and is known for its catchy chorus and memorable guitar riff.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down-strokes
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: E, A, B, Gb, B7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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12. I Ain't Never (Fogerty)

iaintnever

I Ain't Never was a track from the 1973 album "The Blue Ridge Rangers" which was released in 1973.

The song was never released as a single.

  • Drop D Tuning: Yes
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down up down up down up and repeat
  • Picking: Yes blended into the chords
  • Chords: A, D, E

Chords & Lyrics

 

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13. I Put A Spell On You

iputaspellonyou

I Put A Spell On You was released on several albums. The first was in 1968 from the Creedence Clearwater Revival album and never cracked the top 40. The track was not written by John Fogerty  but instead by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, which was a hit for him.

A re-release in 1972 fared better with the song reaching #12 and #3. The final release was in 1990 but the song only charted in The Netherlands at #64

CCR's rendition of "I Put a Spell on You" showcases John Fogerty's powerful vocals and the band's ability to infuse their own style into a classic blues-rock song.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: down down down up down down and repeat 
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: Em, Am, B7, C, F, D, G, A
Chords & Lyrics

 

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Thanks for dropping my my Creedence Clearwater Revival best songs page and I hope the info was helpful.

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