Creedence Clearwater Revival – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Released in 1970 on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s album Cosmo’s Factory, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is a captivating 11-minute rendition of the Motown classic originally made famous by Marvin Gaye. While the song was initially written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records, CCR brought their distinct swamp-rock energy to the track, giving it a grittier, more brooding feel compared to Gaye’s soulful original.
The band’s interpretation transforms the song from an uptempo R&B hit into a haunting, jam-heavy epic. The slower tempo, punctuated by John Fogerty’s raspy vocals, gives the song a darker emotional depth, resonating with themes of betrayal, suspicion, and heartbreak. In CCR’s hands, “Grapevine” feels less like a gossip-fueled heartbreak anthem and more like a personal lament, filled with tension and yearning.
Chart Performance and Cultural Impact
Despite its unconventional length for radio, the song found commercial success. Though never released as a single in the U.S. by the band themselves, it became a radio favorite and was released as a single in the UK in 1973, where it reached #43 on the UK Singles Chart. In the U.S., this extended version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” found a lasting home on FM radio, especially among rock and classic rock stations.
The song showcases CCR’s talent for blending blues, rock, and swampy undertones. The long instrumental sections allow each member to shine, particularly with Fogerty’s signature guitar riffs, Doug Clifford’s steady drumming, and Stu Cook’s pulsating bass lines. The groove builds gradually, drawing the listener into a trance-like state, as the music shifts and morphs throughout the track without ever losing its intensity.
CCR’s version has become emblematic of the band’s ability to reinterpret existing songs through their unique lens. Unlike the polished, danceable Motown original, this rendition drips with rawness, reflecting the emotional undercurrents of the counterculture in the late ’60s and early ’70s.
Today, CCR’s version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” remains one of their most celebrated deep cuts, regularly featured on classic rock radio and best-of compilations. The extended jam session style of the song also influenced later rock musicians who embraced longer, more experimental tracks. It’s a testament to CCR’s ability to take something familiar and transform it into a distinct piece of art that still resonates with audiences more than five decades later.