"Green River" is a song by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was written by John Fogerty and released as a single in July 1969, one month before the album of the same name was released. "Green River" peaked at number two for one week, and was ranked by Billboard as the No. 31 song of 1969.
Background The song was based on a childhood vacation spot of John Fogerty's. In an interview Fogerty gave to Rolling Stone in 2012, Fogerty stated:
Fogerty added that the "actual specific reference, 'Green River,' I got from a soda pop-syrup label... My flavor was called Green River."
Although the song seems to be mostly about idyllic memories, in the last verse a character named Old Cody Junior warns the singer that he's going to find the world smoldering but can always come back to Green River. The name Old Cody Junior was a reference to the fact that Buffalo Bill Cody had owned the cabin by the creek that inspired the song.
As to the music, Fogerty said that:
Reception Billboard described the single as "a driving rocker in the same vein as" Creedence Clearwater Revival's previous single "Bad Moon Rising." Cash Box described it as developing "the bayou-rock style of the CCR in a slower than 'Bad Moon Rising' track that could steal the spotlight." Cash Box ranked it as the No. 19 single of 1969. Record World said it was "great." Ultimate Classic Rock critic Cliff M. Junior rated "Green River" as Creedence Clearwater Revival's 7th greatest song.
Sales and airplay "Green River" was certified gold (500,000 units sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 13, 1990.
Chart (1969)PeakpositionCanada (RPM)5New Zealand (Listener)https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=3575#n_view_location search Listener11US Billboard Hot 1002
Certifications
See also
1969 in music Creedence Clearwater Revival discography Roots rock
References