For over fifty years, millions have tapped their feet and sung along to the cheerful, catchy rhythm of “Bad Moon Rising.” It’s a staple of classic rock radio, a song that evokes images of summer nights and carefree drives. But a SHOCKING truth lies hidden beneath its upbeat facade, a chilling prophecy that has gone unnoticed by generations of listeners. Today, we unravel the HAUNTING story behind the beloved 1969 hit by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).
Released during a period of immense social and political turmoil, the song was not a celebration, but a dire warning. John Fogerty, the band’s legendary frontman and songwriter, has since revealed the song’s terrifying origins. In a stunning admission, Fogerty explained the inspiration came from an old film. “I was inspired by a scene from The Devil and Daniel Webster, in which a storm devastates a small town,” he stated, his words painting a grim picture. “I wanted to capture that feeling of impending doom, the sense that something terrible is approaching.”
The lyrics, once examined, are nothing short of apocalyptic. “I see a bad moon rising / I see trouble on the way,” Fogerty wails, continuing with harrowing images of hurricanes, lightning, and overflowing rivers. He directly implores the listener, “Don’t go around tonight / Well, it’s bound to take your life / There’s a bad moon on the rise.” This was not just songwriting; it was a message of unavoidable catastrophe, a reflection of the anxieties surrounding the Vietnam War and widespread civil unrest. The “bad moon” was a direct symbol of the darkness engulfing the era.
How did such an ominous prophecy become a feel-good anthem? The song’s brilliant, yet terrifying, genius lies in its stark contrast. The jolly, sing-along melody masterfully masks the lyrical content, creating a sense of unease that listeners feel but often can’t explain. Many even misheard the chorus as the comical “There’s a bathroom on the right,” a mistake Fogerty himself sometimes played into during live shows, perhaps to lighten the song’s heavy burden.
The song’s frightening legacy is cemented in popular culture, most notably its use in the horror classic An American Werewolf in London, where it serves as a literal omen of the violent transformation to come. It has been used time and again to signal that chaos is about to erupt. For over half a century, the song has served as a cultural touchstone, a haunting reminder that even in our most joyful moments, a sense of dread can be lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
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Lyrics: Bad Moon Rising
I see the bad moon a-rising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightning
I see bad times todayDon’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the riseI hear hurricanes a-blowing
I know the end is coming soon
I fear rivers overflowing
I hear the voice of rage and ruinDon’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the riseAll right
Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eyeWell, don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the riseDon’t come around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise