CCR’s Greatest Guitar Songs
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lessons

CCR left an undeniable mark on classic rock history with their raw energy and unmistakable sound — and their songs are just as fun to play as they are to hear.

On this page, you'll find a hand-picked selection of CCR's most iconic tracks arranged for acoustic guitar. Each lesson includes a free preview overview video, chord and rhythm info, and the option to purchase the full breakdown.

Whether you're strumming "Bad Moon Rising" or working your way through the groove of "Born on the Bayou," you'll find authentic rhythm tips and song insights to bring that CCR feel to your playing.

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.

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

Born On The Bayou serves as the opening track on the band's second album, Bayou Country, released in 1969.

While it became a staple of their live shows and a defining example of "swamp rock," it was originally released as the B-side to the massive hit "Proud Mary."

Because of this pairing, it did not chart separately on the Billboard Hot 100, though the single itself reached number 2. Interestingly, songwriter John Fogerty wrote this ode to the swamp despite having never lived in one; the setting was purely mythical, inspired by movies and his own imagination.

Down On The Corner is a standout track from the 1969 concept album Willy and the Poor Boys.

Released as a single, it performed brilliantly, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song lyrics describe a fictional jug band performing on a street corner, which the actual band brought to life for the album cover and television appearances.

In a memorable promotional stunt, the band members dressed up as the characters from the song—complete with washboard and gut bass—to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, blurring the line between the song's fiction and reality.

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.

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.

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.

Lodi was  released in 1969 as the B-side to "Bad Moon Rising," and tells the tale of a struggling musician who gets stuck playing in a small town that he never meant to stay in.

Written by John Fogerty, the song’s emotional core revolves around dashed dreams and the feeling of being trapped by circumstance — a relatable theme for many artists. With its laid-back rhythm and melancholic tone, Lodi stands out as one of CCR’s most reflective and heartfelt tracks.

Zip file below contains the lesson and chord sheet.

Looking Out My Back Door (often spelled "Lookin' Out My Back Door") appears on the 1970 blockbuster album Cosmo’s Factory. It was a smash hit, climbing to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

While many listeners at the time assumed the surreal lyrics about elephants and giant spoons were drug references, John Fogerty has consistently stated the song was actually written for his three-year-old son, Josh.

The whimsical imagery was inspired by the Dr. Seuss book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, and the song serves as a lighthearted tribute to the Bakersfield sound.

Proud Mary was the breakout hit from the 1969 album Bayou Country. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first of five Creedence singles to stall at that runner-up position.

Written by John Fogerty shortly after he received his discharge papers from the National Guard, the song captures a sense of freedom and escape.

While CCR’s original version is a rock standard, the song gained a second life when Ike and Tina Turner covered it in 1971, transforming the mid-tempo roots rocker into a high-energy funk and soul explosion.

Up Around The Bend is a driving rock anthem found on the 1970 album Cosmo’s Factory. Released as a single, it continued the band's incredible streak of radio dominance, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

John Fogerty wrote the song just days before the band was set to depart for a European tour, needing one more high-energy track to complete their setlist.

The song is famous for its opening high-pitched guitar riff, which is one of the most recognizable in rock history and has been covered by acts ranging from Elton John to Hanoi Rocks.

Who'll Stop The Rain also features on the seminal 1970 album Cosmo’s Factory. It was released as a double A-side single with "Travelin' Band" and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was inspired by John Fogerty's experience at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, where he watched the deluge of rain soak the crowd.

While often interpreted as a protest against the Vietnam War due to its somber tone and "rain" metaphor, Fogerty maintains that its primary inspiration was simply the wet, muddy reality of that historic festival and the resilience of the audience.