You guys should know that "Screaming Jay" Hawkens, who wrote this song, said that Creedence "owned this song" when he heard their version. Personally, due to that killer guitar work, this is my favorite CCR song.
This was the way they meant the song to feel like a spooky, mystical, voodoo kind of feel. Perfect! Also, John Fogerty's voice was a force of nature in his prime.
That Guitar Jam was the SPELL being executed and you feel it, you can’t escape it’s power, then the last 1 minute + was the letting the recipient know the curse or spell has been executed and you have the spell on you …so you better stop those things you do or I am warning you I’ll bring you down. They did not write but they took this Song to be considered a true Masterpiece. Legendary !!!
Screaming Jay Hawkins was the first who recorded this song. I think CCR took it to the next level! Nina Simone version is top notch. I will have to say CCR is the best version. Great reaction
That debut CCR album was just one big jam session, with versions of "Suzy Q" and "Heard it Through the Grapevine" that went on for over 10 minutes each.
Only Suzy Q on their first album was an eight minute 'jam.' The rest of the tracks were standard length rock songs. Porterville possibly being the stand out radio friendly track. The second album was a bit more of a jam-fest but contained the song 'Proud Mary' that would finally bring them the international recognition they deserved.
The guitar work is amazing, its aciditc WOW and John Fogarty's voice is the best he is also the one playing lead guitar. Yes Angelina Jordan's version at 9 years old is mind-blowing, Annie Lennox also did an amazing version.
This is the first version of the song that I ever heard, back in the late 1960s. I had no idea that it wasn't the original, until I heard Angelina Jordan's version in April of 2021, and so learned of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins original. Musically, I still prefer this version. But Angelina's version is undeniably the most stunning, given the age at which she performed the song.
John said he developed his unique voice from playing in small clubs and bars which had completely inadequate sound systems. He had to scream to be heard, and it became his style.
CCR has always been one of my favorite groups. They don't have a bad song! John Fogerty has one of the most unique & recognizable voices around. All their songs are great. You guys have done a few of there songs already but lots left such as "Proud Mary", "Lodi", "Green River", "Commotion", "Cotton Fields", "Midnight Special", "Travelin' Band", "Who'll Stop The Rain", "Up Around the Bend", "Run Through The Jungle", "Long As I Can See the Light", "Suzie Q", "Sweet Hitch-Hiker" etc.
I love their cover of Lead Belly's (Hovie Ledbetter) prison song Midnight Special. You should have a listen to Voodoo Hand by Lightning Hopkins. It's one man and one guitar playing the blues.
I was born 1956 ! Grew up with great music! I loved it all , rock , blues , jazz , soul , country , disco , all instrumental, classic and don't forget the crooner's! Thanks again for letting this ole 66 yrs old gal remember great 👍 times!
They did this live at Woodstock in the wee hours of the morning. Because the bands before them played over long and kept them from starting. The best song at the festival. In my opinion. The video is available...surprise!'--John Fogarty played lead guitar 🎸 on the tune as well as the vocals! Thank you young ones!
I have listened to this since hearing it in the 70s. Every time I hear it, it can still give me goosebumps. I love John Fogarty and all of his music. What an amazing catalog.....He still plays at age 75+ and the last time I saw him on TV he still looks very good and sounds very good too. CCR was just a fun band to listen to with good musicians and good songs. Your reaction is what I thought it would be because y'all like good music!! Thanks.
My mother in law ,who passed away last year, was a huge CCR fan. When I first met my wife, the first thing her mom asked me was,What is your favorite Credence song? Without hesitation I replied "I put a Spell on You ". She and I became fast friends because of our shared love for her daughter and CCR.
From the first time hearing them live at Woodstock till today CCR was and is my favorite band I dont think they ever did a average song that I can think of.
I love all variations of this song from Bette Midler’s to Angelina Jordan to CCR to the original spell caster Screaming Jay Hawkins. They all put their unique twists on it. Much love and spooky smiles robsquad family 🎃
I was curious to see and hear other performances and I absolutely love Nina Simone’s. Also on a very disturbing note apparently by searching I put a spell on you one of the matching suggestions is a Judy Garland singing Sweet Chariot in blackface and rag curls. Wtf that disgusting crap has to do with I put a spell on you I have no clue and my shame for my ancestors has grown 10 sizes this day!
I was glued to my screen when I saw you react to this song. Loved it! A mesmerizing sound. It can really put a spell on you. CCR has made great covers. "Suzie Q", "Ninety Nine and a Half (Won't Do)", "(Night Time Is) The Right Time", "Midnight Special", "Good Golly Miss Molly". I can even appreciate "Hello Mary Lou". "I Put a Spell On You" is in my top 5 best covers ever. Along with "Heard It Through The Grapevine". I just love the CCR sound.
In 1972 I won a contest through local radio station KMET, L.A. - I received two tickets to the glass-bottom boat ride to and from Catalina Island, 26 miles across the Pacific from Long Beach. The boat was hired for the multiple contest winners by the station. The captain of the boat taped a transistor radio to the small boat's P.A. and KMET dedicated a song to everybody on the boat and the captain cranked the radio. I had taken some excellent LSD as the boat left Long Beach and I was peaking right as I Put a Spell On You came on the radio, full blast (CCR version) and I was so ready for it. It felt like a lifetime of transcendent blues.
That first album is amazing. All the songs on it have the same rawness and bluesy feel. IMHO their best album. Btw, try the less popular songs on that album, same quality, same atmosphere, trust me. And the soloing on this album is extensive!!!
This song charted on Billboard Hot 100 and they charted on November 9, 1968 and it peaked at number 58 and it was there 2nd chart hit out of there 20 hits singles
Don't forget. Another band with the CCR sound is The Band (remember you reviewed The Band and the Staples doing "The Weight"?). "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" or "Up On Cripple Creek" are great songs.
The live version video of this performance didn't show on the screen so I don't know if you've seen it - if you haven't you should because John Fogerty sings it it like it sounds - the passion in his face is really cool to see.
I've always loved this version but there is one note you should check out... it was a live performance by Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics... she did an awesome job too!!
I think you guys would like the live version even better (if that's possible)! Seeing John Fogerty singing it, you can SEE the passion he puts into it.
Coming in on this late, but that was pure Creedence soul and grit. Oh for the days when talent counted for something. Many of today's singers and groups depend on too much electronic enhancement and not enough pure talent.
I have always loved this great version of this great song. My favourite version is by Nina Simone. Her voice suits it so well. Alan Price, keyboard player with The Animals, also did a very good version.
One of my all time favorites---no matter what time of the year!!! I LOVE that now it is yours too!! You both have an amazing love ❤️ and respect for each other...it's totally visible! And you also have a gorgeous family!! 💗
Says a lot about a band, that their three best songs are covers from originals outside their genre. This, Susie Q, and Heard it Through the Grapevine are absolute jams.
Those are three great songs for sure, but I wouldn't say they are the best of CCR. What about Proud Mary, Born on the Bayou, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Fortunate Son, Down on the Corner, Green River, Lookin' Out My Back Door, Up Around The Bend, Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, Ramble Tamble, Cotton Fields, Long As I Can See The Light, Run Through The Jungle, and so many others?
@@loadedorygun have to agree to disagree. Their originals most definitely stand up to their covers. They DO have a way of making others' songs their own.
@@paulkane7771 EVERY single one of those are bangers. In that first 3-4 years they were all 4 together, they cranked out SO MANY killer tracks, it's insane!
Just a suggestion from a 71 year old lover of rock and roll… like you’ve done here please react to the original studio versions (if you can) because that’s how many of us were introduced to this great music. Then you can go back and react to suggested live versions. Thanks, y’all are doing a great job going down the rabbit hole!
This brought back so many special memories of my father, dancing around the living room in his socks and suit from work....typical moves from the 60's with the fancy footwork, snapping fingers and his tongue popping out in concentration. This song was one of his favorites. Thank you for bringing back that memory for me.
CCR is always reliable. Fogarty's voice is perfect for this song. I think he's trying to really do a New Orleans-ish vibe on the version Screamin' Jay Hawkins did (which I think is the original). You guys should check that version out. It's unreal. This one, to me, is the definitive version though!
"Bad Moon Rising" is my favorite from them and a perfect Halloween song. I do like this original. I really like how raw his voice is. This is also a great song for Halloween.
Over 50 years ago we would bring the latest new rock LPs to study hall in the library sharing and listening on big clunky headphones plugged into industrial style phonographs. I describe this imagery directly because the spontaneity of your facial expressions, body gestures, ooohs&ahhhhs are precisely what our collective responses were listening to CCR, Allman Bros Live, Grand Funk, Joe Cocker, on&on&on…
Lawt,,,,I said it a while back and I'ma say it again....Amber would have fit right in with the "Peace, Love, Dove and dangerous drugs" 1966-74ish era !!! All she needs is a flower in her hair! 🙂
This is my absolute number1 favourite version of this song. Only CCR and later John Fogerty solo can do this song the way it was meant to be! If I could I would give you and the song a million Thumbs Up!
That rapid fire rhythm guitar is identical to the guitar work of the brilliant Arthur Lee from the late 60s Californian band called Love. I think that CCR got that from Love, a band well worth checking out.
