The essential Creedence Clearwater Revival playlist

Even if you don't know Creedence Clearwater Revival, you know "Fortunate Son." The song has been featured in dozens of movies, shows, and commercials, and it will continue to be a staple of American music so long as people are against the war. 

As with many Fogerty tunes, the melody of "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" outshines the lyrics. The song is one of the great examinations of life, death, and eternity. It's the chorus we remember.  

"Don't let the man get you" is just the kind of advice you'd expect to hear from Creedence Clearwater Revival. They not only invented swamp rock, but they also taught kids everywhere to be themselves and stick to the man.  

Most songs about music tend to be a little cheesy, but Fogerty makes it personal, drawing up experiences from his own days as a jug player in California. He brings a touch of reflexivity to the story, and the result is every bit as upbeat, catchy and infectious as any tune out there. 

Another autobiographical tune appears on Green River, a song about Fogerty's early days as a musician in California. The lyrics are brutally honest, and the vocals have a sort of cold empathy that makes you root for the character even you know he will never succeed. 

First recorded by Lead Belly in 1940, Creedence recorded their own version of Cotton Fields in 1969. It was a crossover hit, earning its place on the Mount Rushmore of folk remakes. 

The chorus is one of our favorites. Anyone who has seen Remember the Titans knows it by heart, and those who haven't...well, you should probably get on that ASAP.  

No, that's not Little Richard. That's Fogerty tearing through one of the most groovy, energetic doo-wop tracks ever recorded. No one could have predicted the boys from Creedence would have made their own version of Tutti Frutti, but they did, and it freaking rocks. 

This is a classic blues track, with a protagonist who doesn't feel good about anything. Ironic, because you can't listen to it without feeling great about everything. 

Creedence's other blues track appears on their self-titled album Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's further proof that these guys had the range of Steph Curry--they could do it all, from anywhere, in any genre. 

On their second single, Creedence jumped to #20 on the charts and established their iconic sound. Every chord, solo and vocal is perfect, so much so that critics around the country labeled them as the next band to watch. 

Creedence Clearwater Revival is to Vietnam what Mathew McConaughey is to Lincoln. Their voice is synonymous with the product, though instead of promoting the war these guys were doing everything they could to stop it. Run Through the Jungle is one of their great protest songs, with lyrics about death, fear and famine. 

Another protest song, this track is especially timely right now. At a time of war, inflation, murder and political unrest, the question everyone seems to be asking themselves is who can fix it? Who can stop the rain? 

Got daddy issues? This song will hit you like a ton of bricks. Even those who don't have daddy issues will find themselves tearing up during the chorus. You can hear an entire generation of sad boys (Tom Smith, Adam Lambert, Green Day) channeling the very same vocals 50 years later. 

Arguably Creedence's most beloved song, "Bad Moon Rising" is yet another track about the Vietnam War and the storm that would follow. Fogerty said the lyrics were inspired by a hurricane, but the forecast is oddly similar to the one happening outside. 

Showcasing the band at their most hopeful, "Proud Mary" is a song Fogerty wrote the day after he was discharged from the army. His delight seeps into every vocal, riff, and refrain.

Sorry, Marvin Gaye: there's only one version of this song you need to listen to. Creedence takes the track and adds guitar, vocals, and seven minutes of tape. The result is a remake that outdoes the original. 

Two of the most potent voices in folk history come together on "The Midnight Special," a joyous, jubilant cover of the Lead Belly song. 

Even though it's not one of their most famous tracks, "Green River" peaked at No. 2 on the charts. It's still got a lot of kick today, especially when the chorus cuts out so four guitars can play over each other. 

Whether you're going to the beach, a lunch, or a friend's house, there's no better way to start the day than listening to this song. It's got a slide guitar that makes you want to slide on the dance floor, and a chorus that sounds like sunshine on a sunny afternoon.