About the song
“Proud Mary”, originally written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, became a standout hit in Tina Turner’s career, transforming the song into a powerful showcase of her remarkable vocal ability and stage presence. Released as part of her 1971 album “Workin’ Together”, the song quickly became one of her signature tracks and one of the most iconic covers in rock and soul music.
The song, originally released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969, tells the story of a journey down the river aboard a boat called “Proud Mary” and the contrasting life experiences of the narrator, from the peaceful, carefree days to the harsh realities of hard work and struggle. The original version of the song has a laid-back, swampy rock feel, but Tina Turner brought her own energy and passion to it, turning it into a bold and vibrant anthem.
In Tina Turner‘s rendition, “Proud Mary” takes on a new life. Released as a single in 1971, her version combines rock with rhythm and blues, infusing the song with her distinctive high-energy delivery and dynamic vocal performance. From the very beginning, Turner’s interpretation grabs attention. The song’s opening is familiar—“Left a good job in the city”—but it’s her electrifying voice that gives it a new edge. As the song builds, Tina’s rendition accelerates from the calm, reflective verses into a full-on, soulful crescendo. This reimagining is now regarded as one of the defining moments in her career, showing the world her ability to reinvent a classic with raw emotion and incredible vocal prowess.
“Proud Mary” became a massive hit for Tina Turner, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marking a significant step forward in her solo career after she and her then-husband, Ike Turner, parted ways. This version of the song would not only be one of her biggest solo hits but would also cement her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock and soul music. The song’s success helped her regain prominence in the music industry, ultimately leading to her resurgence as one of the greatest live performers of her generation.
Beyond its commercial success, “Proud Mary” also had a significant cultural impact. The song is a perfect example of how a classic can be reinterpreted and given new life through a powerful performer. Tina Turner’s performance of “Proud Mary” became a symbol of resilience and empowerment. Her high-energy live performances of the song, particularly her rendition at the 1971 Grammy Awards and subsequent concerts, became legendary. The track symbolized her personal transformation, as she rose from the difficulties of her marriage to Ike Turner to become a globally celebrated artist in her own right. It served as both a personal and professional declaration of independence and strength, themes that would define much of her later work.
“Proud Mary” also holds an important place in the context of the 1970s music scene, when artists began to blend genres more freely. Tina Turner‘s interpretation brought soulful rock into the mainstream, and it influenced a new generation of performers who sought to fuse different styles of music. The track is now a beloved staple of her live performances, and its catchy rhythm and stirring vocals continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
In conclusion, “Proud Mary” is more than just a cover—it’s a redefinition of a classic. Tina Turner took a well-known song and turned it into her own, delivering a performance that was as electrifying as it was emotive. Released in 1971, the song marked a pivotal moment in her solo career, highlighting her incredible vocal talent and her ability to connect deeply with listeners. The lasting influence of her version of “Proud Mary” on music and popular culture cannot be overstated; it continues to be a testament to her unparalleled power as a performer and her ability to reinvent and elevate any song she touches.
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Lyrics
You knowEvery now and then I think you might like to hear something from us(Left a good job down in the city)Nice and easyBut there’s just one thing, you see (workin’ for the man every night and day)We never ever do nothin’(But I never lost one minute of sleepin’) nice and easyWe always do it nice and rough(Worryin’ ’bout the way that things might’ve been)And we’re gonna take the beginning of this song and do it easy(Big wheel keep on turnin’)But then we’re gonna do the finish rough(Proud Mary keep on burnin’) this is the way we do “Proud Mary”And we rollin’, rollin’Rollin’ on the riverListen to the story nowLeft a good job down in the cityWorkin’ for the man every night and dayAnd I never lost one minute of sleepin’I was worryin’ ’bout the way that things might’ve beenBig wheel keep on turnin’Ooh, the Proud Mary keep on burnin’And we’re rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’, yeah (rollin’)Rollin’ on the river (rollin’ on the river)Cleaned a lot of plates in MemphisAnd I pumped a lot of ‘tane down in New OrleansBut I never saw the good side of the cityUntil I hitched a ride on the riverboat queenYou know the big wheel keep on turnin’Proud Mary keep on burnin’And we’re rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’, yeah (rollin’)Rollin’ on the river (rollin’ on the river)Say we’re rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’ (rollin’)Rollin’ on the river (rollin’ on the river)Oh, I left a good job in the cityWorkin’ for the man every night and dayAnd I never lost one minute of sleepin’Worryin’ ’bout the way things might have beenBig wheel keep on turnin’ (turnin’)Proud Mary keep on burnin’ (burnin’)Rollin’ (yeah), rollin’ (alright)Rollin’ on the river (go ‘head now)Rollin’ (oh), say we’re rollin’ (yeah)Rollin’ on the riverWe’re up, do do do do do do do do do do doAlrightCleaned a lot of plates in Memphis, y’allPumped a lot of ‘tane down in New OrleansBut I never saw the good side of the city‘Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queenBig wheel keep on turnin’ (turnin’)Proud Mary keep on burnin’ (burnin’)Rollin’ (oh), rollin’ (yeah)Rollin’ on the river (go ‘head now)Say we’re rollin’, rollin’Rollin’ on the riverWe’re up, do do do do do do do do do do doAlrightYeahOoh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahAlright, yeah, yeah, yeahOoh yeah, yeahIf you come down to the riverNow, I bet you gonna find some people who liveYou don’t have to worry if you got no moneyThe people on the river are happy to giveBig wheel keep on turnin’ (turnin’)Proud Mary keep on burnin’ (burnin’)Rollin’ (yeah), say we rollin’ (yeah)Rollin’ on the river (alright now)Rollin’, rollin’Rollin’ on the riverWe’re up, do do do do do do do do do do doWooAlrightWoo, alright, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahRollin’, alrightAlright now, yeahRollin’ (yeah), rollin’ (uh-huh)Rollin’ on the river (give me one more time)Rollin’ (yeah), rollin’ (woo-wee)Rollin’ on the riverRollin’ (ow), rollin’ (yeah)Rollin’ on the riverRollin’ (yeah), rollin’