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There's a whole lot of "WTF" behind today's Great Song of 1985: "The Old Man Down the Road" by John Fogerty.
Get this: Early in his career with Creedence Clearwater Revival, John signed a contract that eventually forced him to give up the rights to his CCR songs, while requiring him to keep recording new material.
He called it a deal with the Devil...and after CCR broke up, he released two solo albums...but refused to perform any of CCR's hits in concert. He became so disillusioned and disgusted, he walked away from the music business for 10 years.
When he finally decided to return in 1985, he released his comeback album, "Centerfield," featuring "The Old Man Down the Road." It became his first and only #1 hit...reaching the top of Billboard's Top Rock Tracks Chart as well as #10 on The Hot 100.
John was exceedingly happy about all the airplay...and felt refreshed and vindicated...
But then--believe it or not--he was sued by the company that bought CCR's rights...for sounding too much like the 1970 CCR hit "Run Through the Jungle!"
In effect, John had to prove 2 things in court: #1: It's hard to NOT sound like yourself. #2: There are only so many notes and chords in a song and just because some of the same ones were used doesn't mean it's the same song.
The whole thing was ridiculous, and the court agreed--especially after John asked if anyone had ever sued Elvis Presley for sounding like Elvis Presley...or Bob Dylan for sounding like Bob Dylan.
John won the case, of course, and FINALLY got his rights back...but not until 2023--LAST YEAR!
"The Old Man Down the Road:" A Great Song of 1985, and eventual vindication at the end of a long, hard road for John Fogerty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cwS_db9DtY
"Run Through the Jungle:"
Tomorrow: Sweet Baked goods.
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