The Golliwogs - Walking on the Water (1966)

A concise, summarized history of this group can be found on the page “The Blue Velvets – Oh My Love (1961),” as The Blue Velvets was this group’s initial name as early as 1959.

While using the name featured in this post, the band released seven singles for Fantasy Records. One of the co-owners of Fantasy, Max Weiss, had originally renamed them from The Blue Velvets to The Visions, but just before their single was released for Fantasy in November 1964, he had changed it to The Golliwogs, referencing a rather politically incorrect (and popular) doll from the late 19th century. Although none of the singles did well in San Francisco (where they had been released), one of them did rather well in Miami, FL.

In December 1967, the group changed their name yet again, this final time to Creedence Clearwater Revival, which, coincidentally can be read about and heard at our previous post, “Creedence Clearwater Revival – Penthouse Pauper (1969)”.

This song, coming from their Golliwogs era, was recorded in August 1966 and released in September 1966 on the Scorpio label. It was later rerecorded and released on their first album under the CCR name and renamed to “Walk on the Water.” Personally, I prefer this earlier version. Comparatively, this version is roughly a minute and a half shorter.



The Golliwogs - Walking on the Water (1966)

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Lyrics:

Late last night, I went for a walk
Down by the river near my home
Couldn't believe- with my own eyes
And I swear I'll never leave my home again

I saw a man walking on the water
Coming right at me from the other side
Calling out my name, "Do not be afraid"
Feet begin to run, pounding in my brain

I don't want to go, I don't want to go
No, no, no, no, no, I don't want to go

Late last night, I saw a man
Comin’ right at me
Comin’ right at me
I saw him walk, walk, walk
I saw him walk, walk, walk
I saw him walk, walk, walk, walk, walk

The Blue Velvets - Oh My Love (1961)

Formed in 1959 and featuring a young John Fogerty, this band started out as a three-person instrumental group in the San Francisco Bay area. In 1960, John’s older brother, Tom Fogerty, joined the group and took the spot as the front man. In 1964 they changed their name to The Golliwogs and John’s efficiency as a writer, singer, and musician, eventually led him to taking the lead of the group by the end of 1967. By December of that year, they changed their name for the final time, to Creedence Clearwater Revival, where they found immense success.

This song was the only song of the group’s early years to receive much airtime. It was selected by Casey Kasem to be played on Oakland’s Top 40 playlist in the fall of 1961. It was written and sung by Tom Fogerty. John Fogerty played guitar; Stu Cook played piano; and Doug Clifford was on the drums. All of these members went on to play in CCR.



The Blue Velvets - Oh My Love (1961)

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Lyrics:

Oh my love
Oh my love
I swear- I swear by stars above
I'll be true, yes, I'll be true to you
Oh my love
Oh, oh my love

Come on little girl
Come on little girl
Come on baby, back to me
You're my heart’s desire
Set my soul on fire
Come on baby; can't you see?
That you're my love
You're my love
And this is forever

Oh, oh my love
Oh, oh my love
Oh, oh my love

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Penthouse Pauper (1969)

Featuring brothers John and Tom Fogerty, this band was originally known as The Blue Velvets and later The Golliwogs before finally settling on their last, most well-known name (which is often shortened to CCR). Coming out of California at a time when San Francisco was the center of the psychedelic sound explosion, they decided to go in another musical direction and perform southern swamp rock. It paid off; they became one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

This song, a wonderful blend of blues, rock, and country, comes from the first of three albums released by the group in 1969, Bayou Country.



Creedence Clearwater Revival - Penthouse Pauper (1969)

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Lyrics:

Now if I were a bricklayer
I wouldn't build just anything
And if I were a ballplayer
I wouldn't play no second string
And if I were some jewelry, baby
Lord, I'd have to be a diamond ring

And if I were a secret, Lord, I never would be told
And if I were a jug of wine, Lord, my flavor would be old
I could be most anything
But it got to be twenty-four karat solid gold, oh

If I were a gambler, you know I'd never lose
And if I were a guitar player
Lord, I'd have to play the blues

If I were a hacksaw, my blade be razor sharp
And if I were a politician, I could prove that monkey talk
You can find the tallest building
Lord, I'd have me the house on top

Oh, let's go

I'm the penthouse pauper
I got nothin’ to my name
I'm the penthouse pauper, baby
I got nothin’ to my name
I can be most anything
When you got nothin’, it's all the same

Oh
Lord, look at my penthouse