Lookin' out My Back Door

"Lookin' out My Back Door" is a song recorded by the American band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Written by the band's lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter John Fogerty, it is included on their 1970 album Cosmo's Factory; this was the group's fifth album, and was also their fifth and final number-two Billboard hit, held off the top by Diana Ross's version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". It was their only Cash Box Top 100 number-one hit.

"Lookin' out My Back Door"
Single by Creedence Clearwater Revival
from the album Cosmo's Factory
A-side"Long As I Can See the Light"
ReleasedJuly 25, 1970 (1970-07-25)[1]
GenreCountry rock[2]
Length2:35
LabelFantasy
Songwriter(s)John Fogerty
Producer(s)John Fogerty
Creedence Clearwater Revival singles chronology
"Up Around the Bend"
(1970)		 "Lookin' out My Back Door"
(1970)		 "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
(1971)

Song information

The song's lyrics, filled with colorful, dream-like imagery, lead some to believe that it is about drugs. According to the drug theory, the "flying spoon" was a reference to a cocaine or heroin spoon, and the crazy animal images were an acid trip. Fogerty, however, has stated in interviews that the song was actually written for his then three-year-old son, Josh. Fogerty has also said that the allusion to a parade passing by was inspired by the Dr. Seuss book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.[3]

The song begins and ends with the mention of Illinois, and locking the front door in a vain attempt to prevent his troubles there from following him home. Country singer Buck Owens is also mentioned in the song, and the music reflects some of the Bakersfield sound Owens made famous. Country singer Buddy Alan, the son of Buck Owens, recorded a cover version of the song in 1971.

Reviewing the song, Cash Box stated "emphasing their early-rock gut appeal, CCR plunges into a rough-hewn bit of dance material that should sparkle."[4] Record World called it a "super-smash."[5] Billboard called it a "clever rhythm item."[6]

Covers

The song was covered by the Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom on their album Blooddrunk as a bonus track on the U.K. release.

Personnel

Chart history

The song was featured in The Big Lebowski.

See also

References
  1. Betts, Stephen L. (May 25, 2017). "See Wade Bowen's Playful Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 6, 2020. Wade Bowen's web series Garage Mahal continues with the Texas musician's informal acoustic take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1970 country-rocker "Lookin' Out My Back Door."
  2. Bordowitz, Hank (1998). Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Chicago Review Press. p. 98. ISBN 9781569769843.
  3. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 1, 1970. p. 34. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  4. "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. August 1, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  5. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. August 1, 1970. p. 66. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  6. "Flavour of New Zealand, 7 December 1970". Flavourofnz.bo.nz. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  7. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  8. "Cash Box Top 100 10/03/70". October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  10. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com.
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