Ten Favorite Touring Musician Songs: Lodi (#9)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (67726)
United States
December 19, 2017 10:42am CST
Most of the musicians are off the road now for the holidays, but I'm just warming up with a countdown of songs that deal with what life is like on the road. Here's the next song on the list; and, what's this, another "classic rock" song? Yep. Imagine that!
#9: Lodi - Creedence Clearwater Revival
How bad can touring life be? This actually happened to musicians back in the 1930s, when they didn't make enough money on their show to cover their expenses.
There's part of this song that sadly happens today, as I've been unfortunate witness to on way too many occasions:
If I only had a dollar for every song I've sung
And every time I've had to play while people sat there, drunk
I've mentioned a number of times that I do not, for the life of me, understand why people spend money, time, and effort to go to a club to "hear someone," then sit and talk over them. It happened earlier this year with the Flat Five here in Louisville. (When I saw Nora O'Connor after that show I said to her, "NOW you know why I road trip!" She nodded.)
No, life on the road isn't all glamour and fun, and this song shows it about as ugly as it gets.
Lodi
Written by John C. Fogerty
Recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival
From Green River, 1969
Here's a version from Fogerty's recent years. Looks like my plans fell through:
John Fogerty, ex-integrante do Conjunto Creedence. Música Lodi, Glastonbury, ao vivo.
6 people like this
7 responses
this is a cool one.Thanks for sharing.
@dgobucks226 (35565)
•
20 Dec 17
Young musicians trying to establish themselves vs aging musicians no longer under record contract in their twilight performing years suffer the same indignation. Playing terrible clubs with extremely small crowds who could care less about the music their playing. 
P.S. Nice selection 
P.S. Nice selection 2 people like this
@FourWalls (67726)
• United States
20 Dec 17
So true. It's not universally true, which really boggles my mind. I've seen concerts at a venue in Columbus, Ohio that sells food (great baked mac & cheese!) and booze, and when the artist gets on stage you can hear a pin drop. And then here in Louisville, people think they're the Coasters: all they do is yakety yak!
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35565)
•
20 Dec 17
@FourWalls As a OSU grad I agree with your Columbus crowd comment. I've been to downtown concerts there during Friday happy hour with local bands playing and the crowd is great and appreciative of the music. Atmosphere and crowds wanting to hear talented musicians is a major factor in the response.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67726)
• United States
19 Dec 17
Do they have a sign, “Welcome to Lodi, where John Fogerty is stuck”? 
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Dec 17
You know you get a thumbs up from this corner.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67726)
• United States
19 Dec 17
So sorry you have a marginal interest in this song.....
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
20 Dec 17
I thought this was from the late 70's. It's almost 50 years old, and still a good classic.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Dec 17
You picked this over "Faithfully?"
Just kidding. Classic tune.
Just kidding. Classic tune.1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67726)
• United States
20 Dec 17
When I previewed this series I said "Faithfully" was three of the four songs that wouldn't be here. I know, what was I thinking.....
1 person likes this
