THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

752-Ike & Tina Turner-Proud Mary.

1969-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit- At 2.19.A song of two halves.Tina warns us,’were gonna start it off nice and easy,’ but also says,’we never do anything nice and easy,’and tells us they would finish it ‘nice and rough.’

‘Proud Mary’ was written by John Fogerty, and originally recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival, it reached Number 2 on Billboard in 1969, one of five ‘CCR’ singles to peak in that position.’Proud Mary’ has been covered by many artists over the years, including two further hit versions in 1969 on Billboard from Solomon Burke (Number 45,) and Checkmates Ltd featuring Sonny Charles (Number 69,) this cover version by Ike & Tina Turner (see also best songs 485 and 192) reached Number 4 on Billboard in 1971.Solomon Burke (1936? or 1940-2010) has said that it was he who first brought the song to the attention of Ike Turner (1931-2007,) but it is the version by Checkmates Ltd which his arrangement is based on. Alongside Ike Turner, it was the American Rhythm & Blues drummer Soko Richardson (1939-2004) who also played live with the ‘Ike & Tina Turner Revue,’ who is credited with the radical rearrangement of the song.

The narrator of Proud Mary is a low wage earner, who leaves what they consider to be a ‘good job’ to embark on a new life, starting out by hitching a ride on a riverboat queen, bidding farewell to the city. As the boat pulls away the narrator sees the ‘good side of the city,’ from a distance, far removed from the experiences of their own life.Down the river the narrator is pleased to find that the people are generous and friendly, even so they have very little money themselves.

‘If you come down to the river, bet you gonna find some people who live. You don’t have to worry ’cause you have no money, people on the river are happy to give.’