The Mythical Meaning Behind “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner
Glenn Rowley
Updated:
“Listen to the story now…” With those five words, Tina Turner invited listeners in 1971 to sit back, buckle up, and experience the rock and roll tale of “Proud Mary.”
Videos by American Songwriter
Left a good job in the city/ Workin’ for the man every night and day/ And I never lost one minute of sleepin’/ Worryin’ ‘bout the way that things might’ve been,” she sings over the teasing vamp of a guitar before launching into the song’s famous chorus of “Big wheel keep on turnin’/ Proud Mary keep on burnin’/ And we’re rollin’/ Rollin’ yeah/ Rollin’ on the river, complete with its signature, arm-waving choreography.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Two years before Turner unveiled her indelible take on the “Proud Mary,” Creedence Clearwater Revival released the original 1969 version as the lead single off their sophomore album, Bayou Country . The song was something of a breakthrough hit for the quartet — though their earlier single “Suzie Q” had peaked just outside the top 10, “Proud Mary” became Creedence Clearwater Revival’s first of five eventual singles to land at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
CCR’s take on “Proud Mary” stuck to its rootsy origins as frontman John Fogerty spun the tale of hitching a ride on the riverboat queen. Turner, however, injected a propulsive dose of soul into the proceedings, pushing “Proud Mary” from “nice and easy” in the spoken word intro to a rough and wild finish — her powerful voice holding the horns, percussion, bass, guitar and more together as the song barrelled to its explosively joyful conclusion.
The song inevitably became as synonymous with Turner and her legacy as, say, “Nutbush City Limits,” “River Deep, Mountain High” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” And though dozens of big-voiced artists and reality TV hopefuls would attempt to cover “Proud Mary” in the intervening years, no one could ever hope to match the intensity, attitude, and pure magic of her interpretation.
The Meaning of the Lyrics
But what are the barn-storming lyrics to “Proud Mary” actually about? For that answer, we have to go back to Creedence Clearwater Revival and the song’s original author: John Fogerty.
Many fans may assume upon first or second listen to Turner’s famous recording that “Proud Mary” tells the story of a struggling, low-wage worker actually named Mary. Or, given CCR’s place within the counterculture movement of its time, that it’s a thinly veiled reference to marijuana. But only the former would be partly correct.
When constructing the song, Fogerty found inspiration in bits of different ditties he was already toying with in his notebook. In the liner notes of the 40th anniversary edition of Bayou Country , writer Joel Selvin explains that the singer-songwriter had , in fact, been working on an idea about a washerwoman named Mary in addition to multiple other songs.
“He began to link the songs he was writing to a mythical Deep South,” Selvin wrote, “a South this California kid had never seen, but could only imagine. It was a deceptively simple set of material. In addition to the three major pieces [in his notebook], Fogerty also had a couple of suitable blues and a concert rouser under his belt…and his ripping Little Richard impression was well-practiced.”
In a 2020 interview with American Songwriter , Fogerty proudly described writing “Proud Mary” as “that moment when songwriting truly started for me.” According to the rocker, the idea for the song’s title and first line came to him shortly after he’d been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army National Guard in the summer of 1968.
“I was overjoyed,” he said of receiving the official paperwork marking the end of his time in the Army, according to a transcript of a 1993 sit-down with Rolling Stone . “Holy hallelujah! I actually went out on the little apartment building lawn and did a couple of cartwheels…That’s where ‘Left a good job in the city’ comes from. I just felt real good.”
Amid the tumult of that pivotal year in American history, Fogerty set out to get serious about his craft. “What happened played out over a period of several months,” he continued. “I decided to get it together and be professional and get a little more organized. So, I went through that energy of going out and buying a little binder and putting paper in it, and bringing it home and saying, ‘ This is my songbook !’
“And my first entry into it was a title. ‘Proud Mary.’ I didn’t know what it was.”
Fogerty and his bandmates — rhythm guitarist Tim Fogerty (his elder brother), bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford — released their self-titled debut album that same July, and when it came time to work on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s follow-up, the frontman turned back to his notebook.
“Months and months later, being on the bridge of this thing coming out of me, I went back to my book, and looking at the first entry and then realizing, that’s it! It’s about a boat !” he said in 2020.
Though a real riverboat called the Proud Mary had yet to exist (one would eventually be built in 1981), Fogerty envisioned the titular “riverboat queen” making its trips up and down the giant waterway of what’s presumably the Mississippi River, all the while offering up a slice-of-life view at America’s heartland.
“Although I didn’t recall it at the time when I was doing ‘Rollin’ on the river,’ there is an old Will Rogers movie about these old paddle wheelers, and I believe at one point they actually sing, ‘Rolling on the river,’ he said. “I know that buried deep inside me are all these little bits and pieces of Americana. It’s deep in my heart, deep in my soul. As I learned in English 101, write about what you know about.”
It’s fair to say that the meaning behind “Proud Mary” could seem rather inscrutable at times based on how Fogerty cobbled the narrative throughline together from various sources. However, he distilled the song down to its essence just a few years ago in yet another sit-down with Rolling Stone .
“I wrote the song about a mythical riverboat, cruising on a mythical river, in a mythical time,” Fogerty concluded in 2018. “Perhaps the setting was ‘back in time’ on the Mississippi River. It was obviously a metaphor about leaving painful, stressful things behind for a more tranquil and meaningful life.”
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.
More From: Behind The Song
Behind the Album: ‘Moondog Matinee,’ an Ace Covers Album from The Band
6 Folk Rock Songs That Will Get You Through a Breakup
5 Top-Notch Independent Country Artists You Need to Hear
Remember When: The Stars Came Out to Pay Tribute to Roy Orbison in ‘A Black and White Night’
3 Country Music Legends from The Bluegrass State
Remember When: Dolly Parton Made Johnny Cash Blush on TV
You may also like.
The Meaning Behind The Song Proud Mary
Some songs are so good and so catchy that folks sometimes sing along to them — generation after generation — without even knowing what they mean. Such is the case with "Proud Mary," written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival for their second album, 1969's "Bayou Country," and famously covered by the late and legendary Tina Turner . But make no mistake: Turner knew exactly what the song meant. When she and then-husband Ike released their version of "Proud Mary" in 1971 — a romping, rollicking, frolicking interpretation — it wisely placed the endlessly energetic Turner and the Ikettes in the forefront. It also helped elevate Turner's career to higher heights of stardom, as Biography explains, heights that never really waned all the way to Turner's 2023 death.
While we might not know precisely what Tina Turner was thinking when she chose to cover "Proud Mary," we can glean as much from the song itself. "Proud Mary," simply put, is a tale about leaving the daily stress of city life behind to seek a quieter, happier, and more peaceful life, as Extra Chill describes. The song's riverboat imagery is symbolic of continuing to roll, roll down the river of life and not worry along the way. Refinery29 adds another layer to the story by telling us that Fogerty imaged "Proud Mary" as a female domestic servant for the well-to-do. "She gets off the bus every morning and goes to work and holds their lives together. Then she has to go home," Fogerty is quoted as saying in the book "Bad Moon Rising: The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival."
Keep on burnin'
In 2018, "Proud Mary" writer John Fogerty talked to Rolling Stone about the purpose of his song. He said, "I wrote the song about a mythical riverboat, cruising on a mythical river, in a mythical time. Perhaps, the setting was 'back in time' on the Mississippi River. It was obviously a metaphor about leaving painful, stressful things behind for a more tranquil and meaningful life." Such sentiments are universal, and might contribute to the light, ebullient feeling that "Proud Mary" communicates even if listeners don't know the song's precise meaning, or mistakenly believe that the song is about rolling up a joint, per Extra Chill. At the time of writing "Proud Mary," Fogerty had recently left the National Guard and captured his sense of freedom in the song.
Freedom, lightness, and tranquility might have been exactly what Tina Turner herself wanted when she covered "Proud Mary" back in 1971. It's also the spirit she embodied every time she performed the song. In 1978 Turner divorced her husband and performance partner Ike Turner , and revealed that he'd been physically abusive, a chronic cheater, and heavy into drugs, per Biography. It was during that time that Turner got on stage, rocked a song about liberation from woes, and then continued to champion that song all the way to her final, 2009 tour, watchable in part on Turner's YouTube channel . It's doubtful that anyone could better embody the lyrics, "Big wheel keep on turnin' / Proud Mary keep on burnin'."
How “Proud Mary” Made Tina Turner a Household Name
The late singer’s rendition of “Proud Mary” put her and then-husband, Ike Turner, on the map and became one of their most famous songs.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
The song was written by the frontman for Creedence Clearwater Revival
While many still only associate “Proud Mary” with Tina’s rasping growl and horn-packed 1970s arrangement, the song was actually written by Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty on the day he received his discharge papers from the army in 1967. In a celebratory mood, he began strumming the guitar, and his blues-rock anthem was born.
“‘Left a good job in the city’ and then several good lines came out of me immediately. I had the chord changes, the minor chord where it says, ‘Big wheel keep on turnin’/Proud Mary keep on burnin,’” Fogerty recalls in Bad Moon Rising: The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival by Hank Bordowitz. “By the time I hit ‘Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river,’ I knew I had written my best song. It vibrated inside me.” Released in early 1969, the song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Leaving a steady but low-earning job behind, the subject of “Proud Mary” bids farewell to the city and hitches a ride on a “riverboat queen” where the people “are happy to give” even “if you got no money.” The song portrays a new life available on the river; the promise of like-minded camaraderie and the chance for rebirth as an individual whose life exists on the ever-moving river.
Ike and Tina found success covering “Proud Mary” and other songs
Ike and Tina, who had been musically linked since the late ’50s, began covering “Proud Mary” on stage, reimagining the song Tina had loved since first hearing it on the radio in 1969. Tina and Ike’s rendition blew up Fogerty’s original arrangement in favor of a grittier, funkier version perfectly matched to Tina’s earthy then soaring vocals.
As an opening act for the Rolling Stones in Europe and again for the band’s 1969 U.S. tour, Ike and Tina discovered first-hand the instant appeal their cover versions of songs such as “Proud Mary,” the Beatles ’ “Come Together” and the Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” had for audiences.
Released in 1971, Ike and Tina’s “Proud Mary” rendition was the second single from their album Workin’ Together (1970). That it was ever recorded and included on the LP was fortuitous. While cutting the album, the duo was still in need of more songs when Tina suggested recording a few things they were currently enjoying success with on stage.
“And that’s how ‘Proud Mary’ came about,” Tina told Rolling Stone in 1971 , recounting how hearing an earlier audition performance of the song lead them to reconsider the recent hit. “Ike said, ‘You know, I forgot all about that tune.’ And I said let’s do it, but let’s change it. So in the car, Ike plays the guitar, we just sort of jam. And we just sort of broke into the black version of it.”
After the success of “Proud Mary,” the relationship between Tina and Ike collapsed for good
Ike and Tina’s “Proud Mary” sold more than a million copies, reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the R&B chart in 1971, a mere two years after the Creedence Clearwater Revival original charted. Accompanied by the hip-swiveling back-up singers the Ikettes, the song became a staple of the duo’s live shows and earned the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group in 1972.
Its success would embolden Tina to write the 1973 semi-autobiographical “Nutbush City Limits,” one of the final hits Ike and Tina would have together. By the time “Proud Mary” had charted, Ike’s substance abuse problems had increased, as had his physical violence towards his wife.
In 1976, shortly after getting into a physical altercation while en route to a Dallas hotel, Tina fled her abusive situation. The mother of four hid at a friend’s house before she began slowly rebuilding a new life with little more than her performing name as collateral. Their divorce was finalized in 1978, and Tina would never again meet publicly with Ike, who died in 2007 from a cocaine overdose at age 76.
Tina went on to have a hit solo career
Throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, Tina performed small clubs and hotels as she created a new professional and personal life. Her cover of Al Green ’s “Let’s Stay Together” was an unexpected hit in 1983 and led to the recording and release of the album Private Dancer (1984), which contained the title track as well as “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” The album was certified Platinum five times in the United States and has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.
No longer a nostalgia act trading solely on past hits, Tina became a global phenomenon, packing arenas and stadiums with fans new and old who came to respect her ongoing personal journey as much as her evolving musical prowess. But the songs of her past were as much a cherished part of Tina’s onstage work as ever, with her mixing covers in amongst her latest hits.
“Proud Mary” would become a staple of her live shows—often the penultimate song prior to encores—up to and including her farewell tour which culminated in a final live bow at the U.K.’s Sheffield Arena on May 5, 2009.
What the song represented to Tina no doubt changed depending on time and circumstance, but “Proud Mary” remained a visceral connection to her six-decade career. Its influence on musical stars of today continues to endure. Beyoncé performed the classic track in 2005 when Tina was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. “I’ll never forget the first time I saw you perform,” Beyoncé said in her speech as she gazed up at Tina seated in the balcony. “I’d never in my life seen a woman so powerful, so fearless, so fabulous.”
In 2020, Tina was asked by Haute Living magazine to play a word association game, saying what came to mind when she was reminded of her hit song titles. “The Best” was all about “the power of authenticity.” “Private Dancer” related to “dreams come true.” And “Proud Mary”? Tina only had one word for the song that had been a constant almost her entire life: “Freedom.”
Watch Next .css-16toot1:after{background-color:#262626;color:#fff;margin-left:1.8rem;margin-top:1.25rem;width:1.5rem;height:0.063rem;content:'';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}
Rock Musicians
Jon Bon Jovi
Mick Jagger
No Doubt Surprises Fans With Olivia Rodrigo
Elvis and Priscilla’s Turbulent Relationship
2024 Grammys: The Major Winners and Takeaways
Tracy Chapman
Sinéad O’Connor
How Austin Butler Landed the Part of Elvis
11 Rare Vintage Photos of Lou Reed
Elvis Presley
- Share full article
Advertisement
Supported by
TUG THAT INSPIRED A SONG FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE
MEMPHIS (UPI)—Proud Mary, a tugboat with a 73-year-old history that inspired a 1971 hit record, is no longer “roltin’ down the river.”
The tug, now called the Mary Elizabeth, has been tied to a Memphis dock for two years. It has a rusted hull, peeling paint, a fire‐wracked deckhouse and an uncertain future,
But J. L. Murphy, owner of the boat since 1973, does not want to abandon it.
“I don't know what I'm going to do with it,” Mr. Murphy said, “but I would like to refurbish it.”
The boat wasmade famous by the hlt song “Proud Mary,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Ike and Tina Turner made another popular recording of the song about two years later.
R. V. Warner, the boat's skipper and a former owner, said the Mary Elizabeth was built in Newburgh, N. Y., in 1905. Originally powered by steam, the tug was used to ferry prisoners from New York to Sing Sing prison.
Later, the vessel was equipped with a diesel engine and used as a ferry across Lake Pontchartrain to New Orleans, In 1928, Mr. Warner brought the boat to Tennessee. Until recently, it was used as a harbor boat in Memphis.
Meaning of ‘Proud Mary’ by ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’
Popular now.
Meaning of ‘Eyes Closed’ by ‘Imagine Dragons’
Meaning of ‘Enjoy the Silence’ by ‘Depeche Mode’
Meaning of ‘Give A Little Bit’ by ‘Supertramp’
- top 50 ac/dc singles
- rock'n'roll
- guns'n'roses
- guns n' roses
- guns n roses
Released: 1969
“Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival cruises through a story of leaving a stifling job in the city to find freedom and a fresh start on the rivers of America. It’s a tale that resonates with anyone who’s ever dreamed of dropping the day-to-day grind for a life of adventure and simplicity. The song celebrates the transformative power of the river and the freedom it represents, contrasting the bustling city life with the serene, communal existence along the riverbanks.
The opening lines introduce a narrator who’s been through the mill, working tirelessly for “the man” without any time to rest. Here, “the man” symbolizes the demanding bosses and the oppressive nature of city jobs that drain the spirit without offering much in return. The mention of not losing sleep over “worryin’ ’bout the way things might have been” suggests a resignation to the past but hints at a desire for change, setting the stage for the journey ahead.
As we move into the chorus, the “Big wheel keep on turnin’, Proud Mary keep on burnin'” , it’s like the song itself lights up with the vibrancy of the river life. The words “Proud Mary” refer to a riverboat, symbolizing a vehicle of change and an escape from the mundane, while the “big wheel keep on turnin'” serves as a metaphor for the relentless passage of time and the constant movement toward new experiences. The repetitive “rollin’ on the river” echoes the rhythmic flow of life along the waterway, inviting a sense of movement and freedom.
The second verse paints a picture of hard labor in different cities, from “cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis” to “pumped a lot of ‘pane down in New Orleans” . These lines speak to the tough, often unseen work that powers the cities along the river, acknowledging the hardships faced by those who keep the urban life ticking. Yet, it’s not until the narrator takes a chance on a riverboat, the “riverboat queen” , that they truly see the beauty and potential of life, suggesting that real fulfillment comes from stepping into the unknown and embracing a simpler, yet richer experience.
Finally, the song extends an invitation to the listener, suggesting that happiness and a sense of community can be found on the river, where the pressures of money and status fade away. “People on the river are happy to give” reflects a communal spirit and generosity absent in the cutthroat urban environment. It’s a call to leave behind material worries and find solitariness and contentment in a life more connected with nature and those around you.
In essence, “Proud Mary” is an anthem of liberation, celebrating the journey away from the constraints of conventional society and towards a life of autonomy and unity with nature. It’s not just a song; it’s a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck, reminding us all of the rejuvenating power of the river—and of change itself.
Rex Thunderstone
Related posts.
Meaning of ‘Commotion’ by ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’
Meaning of ‘Green River’ by ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’
Meaning of ‘Suzie Q’ by ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’
Meaning of ‘Fortunate Son’ by ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’
Song Meanings and Facts
- Creedence Clearwater Revival
Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Rolling on the River of American Lore
by SMF AI · Published January 3, 2024 · Updated April 24, 2024
- Music Video
An Odyssey on the Mississippi: Proud Mary’s Voyage into the Soul of America
From the man’s grasp to the river’s embrace: the search for authenticity, the cultural resonance of ‘rollin’ on the river’: a chorus that defines an era, unveiling the symbolic heart of ‘proud mary’: the river boat queen’s hidden meaning, economic and social echoes: ‘people on the river are happy to give’.
Big wheel keep on turnin’ Proud Mary keep on burnin’ Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis Pumped a lot of pane down in New Orleans But I never saw the good side of the city ‘Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen
Big wheel keep on turnin’ Proud Mary keep on burnin’ Rollin’, rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’ on the river Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
If you come down to the river Bet you gonna find some people who live You don’t have to worry ’cause you have no money People on the river are happy to give
Big wheel keep on turnin’ Proud Mary keep on burnin’ Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river
Full Lyrics
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Proud Mary’ has long captivated listeners with its gritty riff and a whistle-worthy tune that encapsulates the spirit of American folklore. Released in 1969, the song became an anthem that encouraged a generation to seek freedom from the shackles of mundane urban life.
Yet, beneath the catchy chorus and the foot-tapping rhythm lies a profound narrative, a nuanced exploration of the American Dream, and a commentary on the social landscape that still resonates with audiences today. The song’s driven narrative and imagery have cemented its status as a staple of both musical and cultural conversation.
The river in ‘Proud Mary’ is more than a body of water; it’s a metaphor for change and possibility. As the ‘big wheel’ of life keeps turning, the song invites listeners to let go of their past burdens — a task easier said than done. The sense of movement embodied in the lyrics speaks to an intrinsic human desire for progress and escape from the relentless grind of city life.
Reflected in ‘Proud Mary’ is the great American tradition of hitting the road, an echo of the pioneering spirit that led generations prior toward the promise of the West. The Mississippi River, the very spine of America, becomes a symbol of the journeys that define and continually reshape the nation’s identity.
The protagonist’s departure from a ‘good job in the city’ isn’t just a physical relocation; it’s a spiritual awakening. The relentless pursuit of industrial labor, characterized as ‘Workin’ for the man every night and day,’ marks the sacrifice of one’s serenity at the altar of material success.
Escaping to the river, the song’s character finds solace not in the materialistic spoils of their labor, but in the authenticity and communal harmony of river life. This switch from urban disillusionment to rural bliss can be viewed as a critique of the rat race and a yearning for a more meaningful existence.
It’s hard to think of ‘Proud Mary’ without being instantly drawn to its powerful refrain: ‘Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.’ This earworm of a chorus doesn’t just stick; it serves as an anthem of resilience and continuity. The bold repetition drives the song’s theme home — life moves forward, and so must we.
This sempiternal phrase captured the zeitgeist of the late 1960s and early 1970s, an era marked by social upheaval and a collective yearning for change. Through this chorus, ‘Proud Mary’ speaks the language of protest and optimism in equal measure, assuring listeners that while the wheel keeps turning, there is comfort in the constant flow of the river — and of life itself.
At a glance, the ‘river boat queen’ could be discounted as a simple narrative device, but it’s the vessel for our character’s transformation. It’s the turning point between two worlds: a catalyst for transition from what is safe and known to the vastness and unpredictability of the river.
Here lies the hidden meaning in the lyrics. The ‘river boat queen’ is symbolic of liberated womanhood and feminine majesty, a stark contrast to the historically male-dominated narrative of adventure. The boat isn’t just transportation; it is a powerful, majestic entity that propels us into the currents of new beginnings.
Within the energetic hum of ‘Proud Mary,’ there’s a subtle critique of economic systems and a nod to social justice. The line, ‘You don’t have to worry ’cause you have no money, people on the river are happy to give,’ hints at a utopian community where wealth and status are irrelevant, and mutual support is the currency.
This longing for an egalitarian society where the pressures of capitalism are washed away by the river’s currents resonates with the anti-establishment sentiment of the song’s era. ‘Proud Mary’ doesn’t just offer an escape – it paints a vision of an alternative reality, free from the inequities that plague society.
Related posts:
- Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Nostalgia in Harmonic Waves
- I Put a Spell on You by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Mystique of Obsession and Control
- Born On The Bayou by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling Americana’s Mystical Tribute
- Lodi by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – The Quintessential Tale of Stranded Dreams
- Travelin’ Band by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Touring Musician’s Odyssey
- I Heard It Through the Grape.. by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Threads of Betrayal and Resilience
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unwrapping the Vines of Betrayal and Truth
- Long As I Can See The Light by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Illuminating the Soul’s Journey Through Rock’s Timeless Anthem
- Cotton Fields by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Threads of Nostalgia and Hardship
- Hey Tonight by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Vigor of Youthful Ambitions
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
You may also like...
“Run Through the Jungle” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
July 11, 2019
by SMF · Published July 11, 2019 · Last modified July 14, 2019
“Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
July 14, 2019
by SMF · Published July 14, 2019
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
September 3, 2019
by SMF · Published September 3, 2019 · Last modified February 14, 2022
Song Meanings & Facts
- Terms and Conditions
- Artists add
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Proud mary lyrics.
I know that lots of people are thinking about drogs, but I am not. I think it is about people who change their life immediately, because they just fed up with their stressful and slavish lifestyle. It doesn't matter if the "man" is a lover or your boss, you have to leave it if it has bad effect on you. They change everything and jump on Proud Mary's boat what is actually burning. Despite that they don't care at that point of their life, because they have to step into some risky situations to get out from this boring and bad period. And since the boat is keep on burning, they really need to be brave and left everything behind from this negative environment. The river is their lifeline and on this river they "don't have to worry", because a lots of nicer people waiting for them in the future. The song starts slow and then it is getting crazier and more rough. I think, this is the process how we start to hesitate about things and after that we just do it strong and confident (especially in the Tina Turner version). I love this song, it can help a lot in different situations in my life. So what we have to do is to "rolling and rolling" on this river.....
I always thought this site was created as a means for analyzing, disscussing, and exploring different opinions, in order to gain a better understanding of a particular song. Guess I was wrong. Seems like everytime I log on here all I see is people pointlessly bitching and fighting.
I'm sure everyone is sick and tired of having to read endless one-sided opinions on why this song isn't about drugs.
Just the same, I'm know many of you all have to be tired of seeing a drug reference everytime you look up a songmeaning.
The fact of the matter is, this site is Songmeanings.net. Everyone on here is fully entitled to their own fucking opinions right? No one should been slammed just for thinking this song is about drugs. Its stupid, pointless, and just plain sad to fight over the internet.
Enough of that now..
I would really love to believe that this song was writing about weed, but I find a hard time believing that myself. It seems to me that if it was writting solely about smoking marijuana, that there would be more lyrical clues, pretaining to specific expirences or perhaps how it feels like being high and such.
I get the impression that it about excaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Breaking away from low-paying part time jobs to expirence a simple, more fulfilling life close to nature on the River Boat Queen.
but hey like my mother always told me..
opinions are like assholes son, everyone has one, but some of them are full of shit.
If someone looking for marijuana why must leave the city as it available in those city than at the river side.
Big wheel keep on turning = is refer to a river boat not related to weed. Proud Mary keep on burning = can be about smoking marijuana and can also be about river boat funnel.
River boat queen = Queen is not refer to weed.Its more refer to the river boat called Proud Mary,as we address a titanic ship as she and the military giant carrier as she.
Why must be more extreme to be label as a drug influence...
Why must be more extreme to be label as a drug influence poetry(lyrics) nation and make others world feel like vomitting that English song lyrics must always be synonyms to drug.
Here's the correct lyric, straight from the writer John Fogerty: | | "Sometimes I write words to songs because they sound cool to | sing. Sometimes the listener doesn't understand what I'm singing | because I'm dedicated to singing the vowel, having fun with the | word sounds coming out of my mouth. Cleaned a lot of plates in | Memphis, pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans,' is a good | example. I think Tina Turner sang tane' instead of `pain,' as | in a contracted form of octane. But I knew what she meant," | Fogerty said."
@SomethingFrosty I don't see how it is about drugs. You can have very abd life in the city WITHOUT the use of drugs, you know.
But you are absolutely wrong. In America, we all have to have the same opinions. conformity is the rule of American society. Individual rights and needs mean nothing to anyone.
We must all conform, respect and obey authority.
That is the rule. That is the law.
And if you don't then leave the country.
My husband and I just bought an old classic fiberglass houseboat. It’s a gorgeous old behemoth monster from the mid ‘70s. We live nearby and plan to moor it and sail it in and around the Mobile Alabama Delta River System. It’s a huge delta second only in size to the mighty Mississippi River Delta, to the West. The boat had no name so we struggled to come up with one until I awoke in my sleep one night with the name Proud Mary. The tune swirling in my head, I remembered this old song and how fitting it was to our boat and us. I came to find this forum about song meanings and some of these interpretations for Proud Mary are bizarre and I do get a kick out of the marijuana train of thought. But indeed I do think this song is about a guy seeking a simpler life. There’s only 3 short verses but they tell a complete story when you put the whole thing together. The guy leaves a GOOD job, but not that good, working for the man. He doesn't look back. He bounces around doing “simpler” things; Memphis, New Orleans etc… But this life is menial and meaningless and still not what he is looking for. And I love my husband’s interpretation of this next part…. He never saw the good side of the city, at least not until he hitched a ride on the riverboat queen. The good side of the city isn’t “uptown,” or the better neighborhoods. The good side of the city can only be seen at a distance, sailing AWAY from it on the river. If you were driving away in a car, to find a simpler life, you could only, figuratively, see the “good” side of the city in your rear view mirror! He finally found the simpler life he was searching for, on the river, away from the city all together. And no one has mentioned the interesting double entendre of “Bet you gonna find some people who live.” Of course people live on the river, but maybe also because they take it easy, they really know how to live (it up) and enjoy their simpler life too. You don’t have to worry ‘cause you have no money. The people on the river don’t have any money either. But since they consider themselves rich with the inner peace that life on the river gives them, they are happy and happy to give what they have. Maybe you’ll see us rollin’ on the river someday!
@justcyn You are living the dream! I would love to be living on a houseboat right now, instead of being stuck in a city. I enjoyed reading the interpretation.
This is absurd - Read some history. Steamboats particularly sternwheelers were originally wood powered. People on the river made money cutting and selling wood to them. The wood was green and did not burn well. To make it catch an accelerant was used. A barrel of Lard was kept in the engine road and every log dipped in it before being tossed in the firebox. At that time the largest maker of Lard was the "Proud Mary" lard company out of Chicago. This was confirmed thru very old black and white movies which clearly showed the loading of barrels of Proud Mary Lard and its use in the engine room.
This is really interesting. I am working on a small film project that touches on this song and about the life on the river. I have searched a good bit on your Proud Mary accelerant lard but find nothing useful so far. Can you forward any sites or links or leads that would point me to pertinent photos or the mentioned film of the Proud Mary barrels? I would VERY much appreciate learning more! Many thanks!
Okay, boys and girls, once again we are arguing over something that has already been published numerous times. First, the lyric is "pumped alot of 'TANE", refering to pumping gas. And John Fogerty has said that he was working on three songs at the same time, "Proud Mary", about a washer woman, "Riverboat", and "Rollin' on the River". The three ended up blending into each other, and "Proud Mary" became the name of the riverboat. Period. That's all there is, no drugs, just living on the river. Fogerty dicussed this at length in an interview with Jay Leno several years ago, and it's all been published.
he may have said that it had nothing to do with weed at the time, but at the time of his writing it im sure that all the references to weed had to have come from somewhere, maybe he used it as an analogy like how its really about him goin on a riverboat and shit, but the weed references are clearly there and i think if he came out and said that it was actually about leaving work and getting high and "rollin down the river" with other pothead friends of his, then people would be hard pressed to...
he may have said that it had nothing to do with weed at the time, but at the time of his writing it im sure that all the references to weed had to have come from somewhere, maybe he used it as an analogy like how its really about him goin on a riverboat and shit, but the weed references are clearly there and i think if he came out and said that it was actually about leaving work and getting high and "rollin down the river" with other pothead friends of his, then people would be hard pressed to find a reason that thats not the real meaning of the song, just somethin to think about there
@msgelter fogery said "pane" Propane drivers pump a lot of propane.
Tina changed it to "tane" go figure!
Proud Mary refers to a woman's genitals.
The song is about prostitution. "The Man" was her pimp. She left working for her pimp to hook on her own and found what, for a hooker, was a better life. Most other interpretations of this song cannot explain "Pumped a lot of pain". A. A hard working hooker is going to be in some pain from being pumped so often. A guy using a hooker is looking to relieve some kind of pain so this lyric has a double meaning, she is also pumping the John and his pain. "Cleaned a lot of plates" is about oral sex. A woman's labial lips when together look like a stack of plates so 'licking the plates clean' lets us know this hooker has branched out with her new found freedom and good life and is now doing women as well. "Big Wheel" is her John and his rhythmic humping is how the Wheel keeps on turning. So now we see clearly how "Proud Mary" is indeed her pussy which she is quite proud of and it's "burning" from so much sex. "Rolling" has long been slang for sexual intercourse. B. At the end she is trying to recruit more girls without money to become hookers. They will not have to worry, plenty of people on the river will give them money for sex.
Hitching a ride on the river queen is interesting. Fit in with everything else here it just seems to be saying that her lot really improved when she set up shop as a whore on a river showboat instead of just drifting around as a street hooker. But there is a way this could have been kind of a dig, with wild foreshadowing. *C.
*A: It's not 'pane and you don't pump propane anyway. Kudos to osubuckeye420 for thinking this could have been about pumping iron but he didn't tie it all together.
*B: Think "roll in the hay" among other things.
*C: If you know this band you know several things are true. They were from San Francisco, but pretended they weren't from San Francisco. Among themselves they were about the bitchiest band ever. The songwriter's brother, and also a bandmate, died of AIDS. So .... was he trying to take a little jab at someone by saying he hooked up to a River Queen? I don't know if the writer took it up the a.., I don't know if the guys in the band did. In the 60s and 70s you couldn't have had a career if the public knew. But in a song about prostitution maybe he was working in a message to the underground that yeah, some of the band went both ways or maybe they were just pure gay.
Dammit. Hawaiijack, you've got to be right! That's so obvious. How the hell were all so stupid as to think it was about a riverboat!!
ok, indulge me for a minute... Bit of a geek alert going your way.
Try this at home. For those of you who think with the left hand side of the brain (do a test online if you aren't sure - generally you are quite good at maths, taking words literally and being a bit of a bore, no offense intended) listen to this song and then do things associated with the right hand side of the mind (e.g. watch a film, a play or chat up a chick).
The results are pretty amazing!!
Oh and the song is pretty good too! Took me ages to figure out what it was called, until a drunken karoake night somewhere in Toronto!!
It doesn't even sound like "pain", I only ever heard "tane" on the recording. Maybe you were listening to a really bad mp3?
You could I suppose interepret "tane" in your meaning as a slightly coloquialised version of "tang" or "poontang".
It was a highly entertaining interpretation, thanks for the laughs, but sheesh!! It reminded me of "Don Juan D'Marco" with Johnny Depp where he's doing the psych test telling the shrink what he sees in those big ink smudges on flash cards.
I more or less agree with Jack from Hawaii. I thought it was about prostitution as well. With one correction.
I always thought the line Tina Turner sings is slang: "I pumped a lot of 'tang down in New Orleans" ...as in poontang. Does it take a woman to spell this out...? Oh well, Google it.
@HawaiiJack WOW how did you come accross that meaning? I hope this link i provide will help clarify the true meaning for you Jack.... http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=500 hope this helps lol. The song is about a slave woman and a riverboat.
@HawaiiJack WOW how did you come accross that meaning? I hope this link i provide will help clarify the true meaning for you Jack...Hope this helps lol. The song is about a slave woman and a riverboat. http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=500 if the link doesnt work google proud mary song wiki and its like the 2nd or 3rd link down the list.
@HawaiiJack sorry Jack you might need to copy paste the link because clicking the link doesnt work got no idea why that happens?
@HawaiiJack What BS "pane" is propane. If you worked for the propane company you "pumped a lot of pane"
has anyone ever heard the butchering that Tina Turner did to this song? It's horrible. Tina, stick to your own stuff.
thats lies she sounds brilliant singing it sgt are you white or black if you dont kind answering im white and i love tina turner singing it she is my idol so please keep you comments to your self
@SgtPepperLHCB I cant believe she ruinded that song either it is terrible i agree.
proud mary was a boat
@jamesdean3155 You don't say!
Drugs? Please. CCR was probably the least drug-induced band of the time. All though they did there, experimenting they never performed high and Fogerty never wrote hi. He felt that the belief that drugs made people more creative was not only wrong but also sad. This song is simply a beautifully told story about live on the river. Don’t over think it.
I think it's hilarious that chris4420 found a quote about CCR (and John Fogerty specifically) being ANTI-DRUGS, and claims it's proof that this specific song is about smoking dope.
That's along the same line as interpreting the song from one or two words... taking a quote entirely out of context because it mentions Fogerty "dabbling with marijuana," completely ignoring the immediate follow-up, "but that was as far as it ever went."
The Real Story Behind “Proud Mary”
via Alex Gallardo / Youtube
Some songs have a way of transcending time and resonating with multiple generations, captivating listeners with their catchy melodies. One such song is “Proud Mary,” originally written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. However, it was the late and legendary Tina Turner who took this song to new heights with her iconic cover. While many people may sing along to “Proud Mary” without fully understanding its meaning, Turner, in particular, knew exactly what the song represented. Her interpretation of the track not only showcased her boundless energy but also propelled her career to unparalleled stardom.
Although we can’t be certain of Tina Turner’s exact thoughts when she decided to cover “Proud Mary,” we can gain insight from the song itself. Essentially, “Proud Mary” tells a story of leaving behind the stresses of urban life to pursue a quieter, happier existence. As described by Extra Chill, the song’s riverboat imagery symbolizes the continuous flow of life, encouraging listeners to keep rolling down the river without worrying about the challenges encountered along the way. Refinery29 adds another layer to the narrative, noting that Fogerty envisioned “Proud Mary” as a portrayal of a female domestic servant for the wealthy. According to Fogerty, she would dutifully go to work every morning, upholding the lives of her employers, only to return home at the end of the day.
In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, John Fogerty shed light on the song’s purpose. He explained that he wrote “Proud Mary” as a metaphorical depiction of a riverboat sailing along a fictional river during an imaginary time. The setting he envisioned was reminiscent of the past, perhaps on the Mississippi River. The song conveyed his desire to leave behind painful and stressful experiences in exchange for a more tranquil and meaningful life. Fogerty had recently left the National Guard at the time he wrote the song, and his sense of newfound freedom permeated the lyrics.
Freedom, lightness, and tranquility were likely the very qualities Tina Turner sought when she covered “Proud Mary” in 1971. As Biography recounts, in 1978, Turner courageously divorced her husband and former performance partner, Ike Turner, revealing his abusive behavior, infidelity, and drug abuse. It was during this tumultuous period that Turner took to the stage, belting out a song about liberation from woes. She continued to champion “Proud Mary” throughout her career, even during her final tour in 2009, which can still be viewed in part on her YouTube channel. It is undeniable that Turner personified the lyrics, “Big wheel keep on turnin’ / Proud Mary keep on burnin’,” infusing every performance with her indomitable spirit.
The timeless appeal of “Proud Mary” lies not only in its infectious rhythm but also in its profound message. John Fogerty’s creation speaks to the universal desire to leave behind hardship and seek a more peaceful existence. Tina Turner, through her electrifying performances of the song, embodied the essence of liberation and resilience. “Proud Mary” stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire, uplift, and connect with audiences across generations. So the next time you find yourself singing along to this iconic tune, remember the meaning behind the lyrics and let the river of life carry you toward a brighter tomorrow.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Though a real riverboat called the Proud Mary had yet to exist (one would eventually be built in 1981), Fogerty envisioned the titular "riverboat queen" making its trips up and down the giant ...
The Proud Mary, more formally known as the Mary Elizabeth, was a real ship and was based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Proud Mary traveled along the Mississippi River from 1928 to 1978. [12] "Proud Mary's" singer, a low-wage earner, leaves what he considers a "good job," which he might define as steady work, even though for long hours under a ...
This part reminded him of the paddle wheel that impels a riverboat. "'Proud Mary' is not a side-wheeler, it's a stern-wheeler," he explained. ... Australia Just saw Fogerty two nights ago in Melbourne and when he did this song the crowd was jumping around and acting real crazy which is a surprise cause the crowd was made up of people from 15 to ...
The song's riverboat imagery is symbolic of continuing to roll, roll down the river of life and not worry along the way. Refinery29 adds another layer to the story by telling us that Fogerty imaged "Proud Mary" as a female domestic servant for the well-to-do. "She gets off the bus every morning and goes to work and holds their lives together.
The Lyrics. At its core, "Proud Mary" is a song about freedom and the desire for a better life. The opening lines—"Left a good job in the city / Workin' for the man every night and day"—set the stage for a story about a person who has grown tired of the monotonous grind of everyday life. They long for something more, a chance to ...
Leaving a steady but low-earning job behind, the subject of "Proud Mary" bids farewell to the city and hitches a ride on a "riverboat queen" where the people "are happy to give" even ...
From its humble origins as a song-title idea to its unforgettable melodies and powerful lyrics, "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival remains a testament to John Fogerty's songwriting genius. Its depiction of a riverboat's journey serves as a metaphor for life's twists and turns, ultimately reminding us of the importance of ...
MEMPHIS (UPI)—Proud Mary, a tugboat with a 73-year-old history that inspired a 1971 hit record, is no longer "roltin' down the river.". The tug, now called the Mary Elizabeth, has been ...
The words "Proud Mary" refer to a riverboat, ... suggesting that real fulfillment comes from stepping into the unknown and embracing a simpler, yet richer experience. Finally, the song extends an invitation to the listener, suggesting that happiness and a sense of community can be found on the river, where the pressures of money and status ...
Proud Mary keep on burnin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river. Chorus to "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The chorus is the reason why people assume that this is a song about weed, however "Proud Mary" is actually the name of a riverboat, which was powered by steam created by burning wood and/or coal.
Left a good job in the city Workin' for the man every night and day And I never lost one minute of sleepin'. Worryin' 'bout the way things might have been. Big wheel keep on turnin' Proud Mary keep on burnin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis Pumped a lot of pane down in New Orleans But I never saw the good side of the city 'Til I ...
Creedence Clearwater Revisited's "Proud Mary" is a classic rock song released in 1969 as part of their album "Bayou Country.". Written by John Fogerty, the song has a deep and meaningful message that resonates with listeners even to this day. "Proud Mary" tells the story of an individual who leaves a comfortable life and a stable ...
Proud Mary Lyrics & Meanings: Left a good job in the city, / Working for The Man every night and day, / And I never lost one minute of sleeping, / Worrying 'bout the way things might have been. / / REFRAIN : / Big wheel keep on turning, / Proud Mary keep on burning, / Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river. / / Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis, / Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans ...
Essentially, "Proud Mary" tells a story of leaving behind the stresses of urban life to pursue a quieter, happier existence. As described by Extra Chill, the song's riverboat imagery symbolizes the continuous flow of life, encouraging listeners to keep rolling down the river without worrying about the challenges encountered along the way.
Fogerty then agreed that the boat imagery seemed fitting for the version of 'Proud Mary' that had been simmering in his mind. When he composed the music, he crafted the first few chords to emulate the sound of a riverboat paddlewheel in motion. Thus, 'Proud Mary' transformed from being about a clean-up lady to a song centred around a boat.
Today, the only remembrance of the PROUD MARY in Memphis is a beautiful color portrait in the main dining room of The Butcher Shop restaurant at 101 South Front Street in Downtown Memphis on Historic Cotton Row. The setting of the portrait is a calm day on the water of the Wolf River Harbor with the MARY ELIZABETH and the G.H. TAMBLE tied off ...
"Proud Mary" from the highly anticipated release of Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall! Order the album today: https://found.ee/ccr-rah-al...
It Stood The Test of Time. It was in the summer of 1967, two days after he was released from active duty in the Army Reserve, when John Fogerty started working on "Proud Mary". It was in the middle of the Summer of Love. And when he got home in San Francisco, he went to a local drugstore and bought a cheap little vinyl notebook with a ...
If you come down to the river. Bet you gonna find some people who live. You don't have to worry 'cause you have no money. People on the river are happy to give. [Refrain] Big wheel keep on turnin ...
Through the repetitive chorus, "Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river," Proud Mary evokes a sense of movement and progress. The river represents the passage of time and the continuous flow of life. It symbolizes the opportunity for change and the possibility of new beginnings. As Mary rolls on the river, she embraces the uncertainty ...
Taken from Creedence Clearwater Revival's greatest hits collection, Chronicle.BUY/STREAM: https://found.ee/chronicle-ccr-rThe original recordings from Americ...
Pumped a lot of pane down in New Orleans. But I never saw the good side of the city. 'Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen. Big wheel keep on turnin'. Proud Mary keep on burnin'. Rollin', rollin' (rollin'), rollin' on the river. Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river. If you come down to the river.
Creedence Clearwater Revival Proud MaryBayou CountryLyrics:Left a good job in the city,Workin' for The Man ev'ry night and day,And I never lost one minute of...