John Fogerty - Bad Moon Rising Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What inspired John Fogerty to write 'Bad Moon Rising'?

   John Fogerty was inspired to write 'Bad Moon Rising' after watching the 1941 film 'The Devil and Daniel Webster'. A scene where a hurricane devastates most of a town but spares one character gave him the idea for the apocalyptic tone, which he conveyed through weather imagery.

2. How did John Fogerty address the common misheard lyric in 'Bad Moon Rising'?

   The line 'There's a bad moon on the rise' is often misheard as 'There's a bathroom on the right'. John Fogerty embraced this and sometimes sang the misheard lyric during live performances as a fun acknowledgement of the popular mistake.

3. Which movie scenes feature the song 'Bad Moon Rising'?

   'Bad Moon Rising' is notably featured in the 1981 film 'An American Werewolf in London', where it plays as the main character is concerned about transforming into a werewolf. It also appears in 'Twilight Zone: The Movie' from 1982.

4. What is the significance of the song's chart performance?

   'Bad Moon Rising' was a commercial success, reaching the No. 2 spot on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1969. It was one of five Creedence Clearwater Revival songs to peak at No. 2, never reaching No. 1, and was blocked by Henry Mancini's 'Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet'.

5. What are some notable cover versions of 'Bad Moon Rising'?

   The song has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, The Reels, and many others. Each artist brought their own style to the song, highlighting its versatility.

6. Why was 'Bad Moon Rising' significant during the People's Park riots?

   During the People's Park riots in Berkeley, California, in 1969, 'Bad Moon Rising' became a theme song for demonstrators. Its apocalyptic tone resonated with the upheaval of the time, providing a soundtrack for protest and resistance.