Junior Rasmussen
Proud Mary is a popular song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released in January 1969 and became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been covered by several artists, including Solomon Burke and Ike & Tina Turner, and has appeared in various films and TV shows. With its catchy tune and lyrics, Proud Mary has become a well-known and beloved song. But is it a popular choice for weddings?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is "Proud Mary" a popular wedding song? | "Proud Mary" is a popular song that has been used in weddings. It is not a traditional wedding song, but it has been covered by many artists and is considered a classic rock and roll song. |
| Genre | Blues, rock, and country with R&B influences |
| Artist(s) | Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solomon Burke, Ike and Tina Turner, Checkmates Ltd. featuring Sonny Charles, and others |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Peak Position in Billboard Charts | No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
| Awards | Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group (Ike and Tina Turner's version) |
| Other Notable Appearances | "Proud Mary" inspired a 2018 film of the same name and was featured in the deleted scenes of the 2005 film "King Kong." |
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What You'll Learn
Proud Mary is a popular wedding song
"Proud Mary" is a popular song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), released in January 1969. The song, written by the band's vocalist and lead guitarist, John Fogerty, became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969. The song's popularity is evident from the numerous covers and versions that followed, with over 40 versions recorded between the original and the Ike and Tina Turner cover alone.
The song's popularity extended to wedding bands, where it became a go-to choice for rock and roll performances. When wedding bands were requested to play a rock and roll song, "Proud Mary" was often their first choice. This popularity among wedding bands can be attributed to the song's catchy and soulful intro, phenomenal fills, and its ability to get people up and dancing.
The Ike and Tina Turner Revue, which included Tina Turner and her then-husband, Ike Turner, recorded a cover of "Proud Mary" in 1971, venturing into rock and roll. Their version, released on Liberty Records, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. The duo won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group in 1972 for their rendition.
"Proud Mary" has also been covered by other notable artists, including Solomon Burke, who released his version in 1969, and Checkmates, Ltd., who recorded their version featuring Sonny Charles in the same year. The song has been described as having a "strong beat" and a "steady-moving mid-speed chunk of funk and rhythm", making it well-suited for weddings and other celebratory occasions.
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Proud Mary was written by John Fogerty
"Proud Mary" is a song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released as a single in January 1969 by Fantasy Records and later appeared on the band's second studio album, Bayou Country. The song became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969. It was the first of five singles to peak at No. 2 for the group. Fogerty himself performed the lead guitar, with bandmates Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar, Stu Cook on bass, and Doug Clifford on drums. Fogerty also overdubbed instruments and vocals later.
In the liner notes for the 2008 expanded reissue of the album Bayou Country, Joel Selvin explains that the songs for the album started when Fogerty was in the National Guard. The riffs for "Proud Mary" were conceived by Fogerty at a concert in the Avalon Ballroom, and the song was arranged from parts of different songs, including one about a washerwoman named Mary. The line "Left a good job in the city" was written following Fogerty's discharge from the National Guard, and the line ""rollin' on the river" was inspired by a movie by Will Rogers. The ship Proud Mary, formally known as the Mary Elizabeth, was a real vessel based in Memphis, Tennessee, that travelled along the Mississippi River from 1928 to 1978.
Fogerty has expressed his intention to evoke male gospel harmonies in the song, particularly on the line "Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river" and in the guitar solo, where he did his "best [imitation of] Steve Cropper." Billboard described "Proud Mary" as a "driving blues item with a strong beat," while Cash Box called it a "steady moving mid-speed chunk of funk and rhythm that will make itself felt in both pop and underground spots."
"Proud Mary" has been covered by several artists, including R&B singer Solomon Burke, who released his version on Bell Records in April 1969. Burke mixed gospel and country music to celebrate black consciousness. Another notable cover is by the R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner, released on Liberty Records in 1971. Their version reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group in 1972. The song has also been referenced in popular culture, such as in the 2018 film Proud Mary, which took its title from the song and altered its lyrics for the promotional poster.
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The song was released in January 1969
"Proud Mary" is a song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song was released as a single in January 1969 by Fantasy Records. It was also included on the band's second studio album, Bayou Country. "Proud Mary" was written by the band's vocalist and lead guitarist, John Fogerty. The song became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969. It was the first of five singles to peak at No. 2 for the group.
The song's composer, John Fogerty, was inspired by the theme song of the TV series "Rawhide," which aired from 1959 to 1966. Fogerty wanted to evoke male gospel harmonies in his song, as exemplified by groups like the Swan Silvertones, the Sensational Nightingales, and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. The basic track for "Proud Mary" was recorded by John Fogerty on lead guitar, Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar, Stu Cook on bass, and Doug Clifford on drums at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California. Fogerty overdubbed the instruments and vocals later.
The release of "Proud Mary" in January 1969 marked the beginning of a successful year for the song and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song's popularity continued to grow, and it became a favourite among wedding bands. By the end of 1969, "Proud Mary" had established itself as one of the most popular songs of that year. The song's catchy rhythm and strong beat made it a perfect fit for weddings, where guests of all ages could enjoy and dance to its upbeat tempo.
The song's impact extended beyond its initial success, as evidenced by its inclusion in weddings and other significant events. "Proud Mary" has stood the test of time and continues to be performed and covered by various artists even decades after its initial release. The song's longevity and enduring appeal are testaments to its iconic status in popular music.
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Tina Turner's version is well-known
"Proud Mary" is a song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released in January 1969 and became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and one of the most notable covers is by the duo Ike & Tina Turner.
The Turner version stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it was a departure from their usual R&B style, as they ventured into rock and roll. Secondly, they made the song their own by starting with a slow, relaxed pace and gentle singing, before breaking into a funk-rock style at a faster tempo when the song repeats. This unexpected shift in pace and style added a dynamic and captivating element to their performance.
Additionally, the Ike & Tina Turner version contributed to the song's overall popularity and longevity. With their powerful vocals and unique interpretation, they brought new life and soul to the song, making it a staple in their repertoire and a favourite among fans. The success of their cover also helped to showcase the versatility and talent of the duo, further solidifying their place in the music industry.
The popularity of Tina Turner's version is evident in its cultural impact and lasting legacy. It has become a well-known and beloved rendition, with many fans considering it a definitive version. The cover has also appeared in various forms of media, such as movies and television shows, further exposing it to a wider audience and ensuring its place in popular culture.
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The song has been covered over 40 times
"Proud Mary", a song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, has been covered over 40 times. The song was written by the band's vocalist and lead guitarist, John Fogerty, and was released in January 1969. It became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969.
The same year, R&B singer Solomon Burke released a rendition on Bell Records, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. Burke's version impressed Fogerty, who said, "Two thousand miles away this man had crawled right up inside my head to learn what 'Proud Mary' was all about." Checkmates, Ltd. also recorded a version of "Proud Mary" featuring Sonny Charles, produced by Phil Spector, which reached No. 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1971, Ike & Tina Turner released "Proud Mary" on Liberty Records, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. Their version won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group in 1972. Tina Turner also re-recorded the song for the 1993 biopic "What's Love Got to Do with It" soundtrack album of the same name.
Other notable covers of "Proud Mary" include versions by Anthony Armstrong Jones, Leonard Nimoy, Elvis Presley, George Jones and Johnny Paycheck, Those Darn Accordions, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Sedaka, and contestants on American Idol and The X Factor. The song has also been referenced in popular culture, such as in the 1992 episode of The Simpsons, "Lisa the Beauty Queen", and in the 2018 film "Proud Mary", starring Taraji P. Henson as a hitwoman.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Proud Mary is a popular wedding song. It is a song by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released in January 1969 and became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969.
Yes, there are currently 381 versions of Proud Mary. Some notable covers include those by Solomon Burke, Ike and Tina Turner, and Checkmates, Ltd. featuring Sonny Charles.
Yes, Proud Mary has been referenced in various forms of media. In 1969, Burke performed his version of the song on American Bandstand. In 2018, an action movie titled Proud Mary was released, which took its name from the song. Additionally, the song appears in the deleted scenes of the 2005 film King Kong.
Some other popular wedding songs include "Mairi's Wedding" (a Scottish folk song), "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," "9 to 5," and "Changes."
