The invasion of Ukraine has left many of us asking how we got to this point, what we can do, and some of the questions John Fogerty raised in the song “Deja Vu (All Over Again)”
As we watch events unfold in Ukraine, there is a feeling of helplessness around the world. Those who hope for a better world and wish for more to be done to stop the senseless killing, may understand the logistics of the world standing by. But it is a sad reminder of the state of affairs of humanity throughout history.
In 2004, John Fogerty released a song comparing the U.S. invasion of Iraq with the Vietnam War. He explained that the song, “Deja Vu (All Over Again),” was not meant to be political but about the sadness of the destruction caused by war. Not surprisingly, considering the name of the song, as well as the flow of history, the song unfortunately remains relevant today.
So tonight as I watch the humanitarian crisis unfolding, like many others I feel helpless in that I only am offering up a small prayer, finding a small bit of solace knowing that other humans around the world have the same feelings of despair and the same unanswered prayers.
Day after day another Momma’s crying; She’s lost her precious child, To a war that has no end.
Did you hear ’em talkin’ ’bout it on the radio? Did you stop to read the writing at The Wall? Did that voice inside you say, I’ve seen this all before; It’s like Deja Vu all over again.
As people are locked down at home during the coronavirus pandemic, John Fogerty has joined other artists sending us gifts through video. Most recently, he gave us a video of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Green River.”
The video features Fogerty with his children Shane, Tyler and Kelsey around the campfire, apparently from Fogerty’s Ventura, California home. With Fogerty’s great voice, one cannot get much better than this one. In addition to the campfire, there are marshmallows and a stuffed Winnie the Pooh.
Fogerty begins the video with an explanation of how he got the title “Green River.” A drink inspired the song. Check out the pandemic video of the day.
This week, John Fogerty pulled out several of his classic Creedence Clearwater Revival tunes in a medley on The Late Show with David Letterman. At a thunderous pace, Fogerty played excerpts from “Travelin’ Band,” “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son.”
Having seen Fogerty live during the era where he did not play CCR songs because of legal battles, I am always happy to see him bust out these great songs even though I also love his post-CCR songs. Note where Fogerty points when he gets to the “Proud Mary” lines about leaving a good job in the city. Check it out.
If you wish to catch Fogerty live singing some of his CCR songs, check out his tour this summer. As for Letterman, watch for this final show on May 20, 2015.
What CCR song would you like to hear Fogerty perform? Leave your two cents in the comments.
Day after day another Momma’s crying, She’s lost her precious child
And there are the heartbreaking stories about all the kids and adults killed in the shooting as the funerals begin. I keep thinking how many of those families go home every night to a Christmas tree with wrapped presents that no longer have a recipient. And then I cannot take any more and I turn off the TV for awhile.
But we also realize that we have been here before, and not only do I not have any answers, nobody else does either.
Did that voice inside you say I’ve seen this all before? It’s like Deja Vu all over again.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty released “DeJa Vu (All Over Again)” as a title track on his album of the same name in 2004, apparently taking the title from the great baseball philosopher Yogi Berra. The song was written to point out similarities between the Iraq war and the Vietnam war, and it stands as one of Fogerty’s best songs in recent years.
Unfortunately, the song’s lyrics fit more than just the war, including the recent tragedy.
Maybe fake Morgan Freeman was right that we should just turn off the news for a little while, perhaps while we crank up the music.
A conversation with Texas legendary troubadour Billy Joe Shaver.
Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift will perform at Grammy Awards on Feb. 12.
A proposed Indiana law sets performance standards (w/ fines) for the national anthem at public schools and colleges.
Turnstyled Junkpiled has a “tribute show” collection of videos of artists covering Townes Van Zandt songs.
John Fogerty made a guest appearance on the new Fox TV show The Finder, also singing the theme song. Van Halen just released its first David Lee Roth video since 1996.
