30. "Travelin' Band" was released as a double A side single in 1970 by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Which song, that seems to cry about man's "unending malaise", appeared on the flipside?
From Quiz Making Hits at Cosmo's Factory
Answer:
Who'll Stop the Rain
Interpretations of this song are varied; some will argue that it is a thinly veiled swipe at the war in Vietnam and, as evidence, point to the line "I went down Virginia, seeking shelter from the storm", Virginia being John Fogerty's posting when he'd enlisted in the Army Reserve. Others claim that it rails against politicians rising to power on the back of hollow promises - "five year plans and new deals, wrapped in golden chains". Whilst the meaning is not clear the fact that there is something amiss (this unending malaise) is evident and this is spelled out by the line "good men through the ages, trying to find the sun".
For this author though, the best thoughts on the song come from Fogerty himself when he confirmed that the inspiration for writing the song came when they played the Woodstock festival in 1969 and were greeted by a wet and muddy field;
"Heard the singers playing, how we cheered for more
The crowd had rushed together, trying to keep warm"
Which, in two concise lines, echoes that no matter the situation, together, we can make light of it.