Midnight Special

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Midnight Special" by Creedence Clearwater Revival from their 1969 album Willy and the Poor Boys, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its soulful swamp rock groove. This track, a traditional folk song thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South, was transformed by CCR into a rough-edged blues anthem. The song’s title refers to a passenger train, symbolizing hope and escape for those behind bars. In a 2015 interview with Eric Alper, John Fogerty shared that he first encountered the song through Pete Seeger at the Berkeley Folk Festival, where Seeger showcased a film of Lead Belly performing it alongside "Cotton Fields." Fogerty was deeply influenced by Lead Belly’s raw delivery, which inspired CCR’s rendition. @John_Fogerty echoed this on X in October 2022, noting that the song’s roots trace back to Lead Belly and the Golden Gate Quartet, cementing its place in American folk history.

Another layer of trivia comes from the recording process. Fogerty used a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar, tuned down a whole step to DGCFAD, giving the song its distinctive gritty tone. He overdubbed his vocals multiple times to create a rich, chorus-like effect, adding a soulful depth that set it apart from other tracks on the album. Fans have connected with the song’s raw energy, with one recalling on a music forum how they used it as a pre-game warm-up for football, finding its rhythm motivating. Its cultural impact extended to the big screen, appearing in the 1983 film Twilight Zone: The Movie during the prologue and epilogue, with a character declaring, “I love ‘em, Creedence.” CCR performed "Midnight Special" regularly in 1970, including at a documented Oakland Arena concert, later released on the live album The Concert. Surprisingly, despite John Fogerty’s frequent solo performances of the song since 1987, it has never appeared on any of his concert DVDs.

Creedence Clearwater Revival began their journey in El Cerrito, California, as a group of high school friends with a shared passion for music. Formed in the late 1950s as the Blue Velvets, the band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist John Fogerty, his brother Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford. They honed their craft playing local gigs, influenced by rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, and folk. By 1964, they signed with Fantasy Records under the name the Golliwogs, but struggled to gain traction. In 1967, they rebranded as Creedence Clearwater Revival, a name inspired by a friend of Tom’s named Credence Nuball, the “clear water” in Olympic Beer ads, and their desire for a musical “revival.” Their breakthrough came in 1968 with their self-titled debut album and the hit “Suzie Q,” which showcased their signature swamp rock sound. Under John Fogerty’s creative leadership, CCR skyrocketed to fame, outselling even The Beatles in 1969 with five hit singles, including “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising.”

Despite their meteoric rise, internal tensions and disputes with Fantasy Records led to the band’s breakup in 1972. John Fogerty pursued a successful solo career, while Cook and Clifford later formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited to perform the band’s classics. CCR’s music remains timeless, with Willy and the Poor Boys earning a spot at number 193 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2020. Fans can dive deeper into CCR’s legacy on their official website, Creedence Online, or follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For community vibes, check out the Creedence Clearwater Revival Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees share memories, rare photos, and love for the band’s enduring sound.