About the song
Originally written by John Fogerty and first recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969, “Proud Mary” tells the story of a riverboat named Mary and the transformative journey of its passengers. The song’s lyrics evoke a sense of travel and transformation, with the riverboat symbolizing a passage through life’s various experiences. In the hands of Tina Turner, the song takes on a new dimension of soul and vitality, reflecting her unique style and powerful stage presence.
Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” is particularly renowned for its dramatic flair and high-energy performance. The song begins with a soulful and subdued introduction, which then builds into a frenetic and exhilarating crescendo. Turner’s interpretation adds a layer of gospel-inspired fervor and raw emotional intensity, making it one of her signature performances. Her rendition features a lively arrangement, driven by a strong rhythm section and dynamic horn lines, which perfectly complements her commanding vocals.
The impact of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” extends far beyond its initial release. The song became a major hit, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it remains one of Turner’s most iconic tracks. Her performance of “Proud Mary” was celebrated for its energetic choreography and dramatic stage presence, which helped solidify her reputation as one of the greatest performers of her era.
Socially, “Proud Mary” has had a lasting influence, contributing to Tina Turner’s emergence as a powerful solo artist and a cultural icon. The song’s success not only showcased Turner’s incredible talent but also highlighted her ability to transform and reinterpret existing material in a way that resonates with audiences across different generations. The track continues to be a staple in her live performances, often eliciting enthusiastic reactions from audiences and reinforcing her status as a trailblazing artist.
In summary, “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner, released on January 1, 1971, from the album “Workin’ Together”, is a remarkable example of a song that has been given new life through a powerful and distinctive performance. Tina Turner’s rendition of this classic track showcases her exceptional talent and has left a lasting legacy in the world of music, cementing her place as an iconic performer with a profound impact on both the genre and her audience.
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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’