CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN

Released: January 1970

Charts: US: #2   UK: #8 

"Who'll Stop the Rain" is a song written by John Fogerty released as a double-sided single with "Travelin' Band". Included on the album “Cosmo's Factory” it became one of three singles from the LP to reach the top five on the Billboard Pop Singles chart peaking at #2.

"Who'll Stop the Rain" is often interpreted as a Vietnam War protest song, similar to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son”, but during a 2012 performance at the Arizona State Fair, John Fogerty explained that the song was actually inspired by his experience at Woodstock. Fogerty recalled watching the rain come down on the festival-goers, who danced in the mud, huddled together, and braved the cold. Upon returning home from the event, he wrote "Who'll Stop the Rain," making it more about his reflections on the relentless rain and the atmosphere at Woodstock rather than a direct commentary on the Vietnam War.

When asked by Rolling Stone about the specific meaning of "Who'll Stop the Rain" beyond its symbolic nature, John Fogerty acknowledged that he was indeed referring to Washington, D.C., and its political environment when he wrote the song. However, he shared a personal anecdote about his son, Josh, who was four years old at the time. After hearing the song, Josh innocently said, "Daddy stop the rain." This moment highlighted the contrast between the song's deeper political commentary and the simple, literal interpretation of its lyrics by a child.

In 1978 the song was used in a film of the same name, starring Nick Nolte as a Vietnam veteran. The movie was originally titled “Dog Soldiers” after the source novel, but the title was changed when the producers secured the rights to use the song. Creedence Clearwater Revival songs, including "Who'll Stop the Rain," have been featured in numerous films and commercials, largely because John Fogerty had signed away legal control of his old recordings to Fantasy Records. In an NPR interview, Fogerty expressed frustration with how Fantasy Records misused CCR's music, placing it in car and tire commercials.