Ten Songs You Might Not Know Were Covers (Vol. 5): Susie Q. (#7)

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As I said with "Handy Man," I might have these mixed up. Some people might not know that James Taylor's hit was a cover and would know this WAS. Then again, you never know....which is one of the reasons I like to do this! Here's the next song on the "Hmm, that was a cover?" list. #7: Susie Q. Hey, didn't we just mention Creedence Clearwater Revival yesterday (in the "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" discussion)? And here they are again! Gee, you might think I like that band or something!! And indeed, I do! What's not to like? Another long (over eight minutes) song that showcased John Fogerty's guitar work, "Susie Q." is a classic CCR song. This was one of their first singles, full of that "swamp rock" that CCR made famous (and makes people think they're from Louisiana or southern Alabama instead of from the San Francisco Bay area!). The "swamp rock" part is genuine. In 1957 Dale Hawkins co-wrote this song and recorded it at KWKH's studio in Shreveport. (KWKH was the home of the Louisiana Hayride, where people like Presley and Hank Williams got their starts.) While a moderate hit (the top 30) in pop the song was a huge R&B hit (unusual for a Caucasian in that era....most whites were doing to R&B songs what Pat Boone was doing). It also, according to Rolling Stone, became a song that "shaped rock and roll." It's definitely a legendary song for CCR, for Dale Hawkins, and for rock and roll. Susie Q. Written by Dale Hawkins and Robert Chaisson (with additional songwriter credits to Stan Lewis and Eleanor Broadwater) Originally recorded by Dale Hawkins, 1957 Famously covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1968 I like the way you walk: