Natalie Blanch's Piano Studio

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 by Natalie Blanch | Uncategorized

Recorded first in 1968 by John Fogerty's band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, it was covered twice in 1969—by Solomon Burke as well as the Checkmates Ltd. —and in 1970 by Ike and Tina Turner, whose hit version became a frenzied classic. The song peaked at No 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969 in the United States. A cover version by Ike and Tina Turner, released two years later in 1971, did nearly as well, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award. 

Proud Mary's singer, a low-wage earner, leaves what he considers a "good job", or steady work, even though it is long hours under a dictatorial boss. He decides to follow his imagination and hitch a ride on a riverboat queen, farewelling the city. Only when the boat pulls out does he see "the good side of the city" - which for him, is one in the distance, far removed from his life. 

The song is a seamless mix of black and white roots music, with the "Proud Mary" steamboat, and the picture of the singer finding his niche in a community of outsiders, alluding to Mark Twain's story of the rambling man and life along the Mississippi. 

In Tina Tuner's covers, the song starts off with a slow, sultry soulful tone in which she introduces the song and warns the audience that she and the band are going to start it off "nice and easy" but will finish it "rough". After the lyrics are first sung softly by the Turners, the song is then turned into a funk rock vamp with Tina and the Ikettes delivering gospel-influenced vocals. 

(From Wikipedia)