ROCK MOMENT – John Fogerty ‘The Old Man Down The Road’
When John Fogerty released ‘The Old Man Down the Road‘ in January 1985, it was more than just a new single—it was his reintroduction to the music world after years of silence. Fogerty, once the driving force behind Creedence Clearwater Revival, had stepped away from the industry for nearly a decade following bitter disputes with Fantasy Records and its head, Saul Zaentz. His return album, Centerfield, was a statement of independence, with Fogerty writing, producing, and playing nearly every instrument himself.
‘The Old Man Down the Road‘ became the lead single and carried a swamp-rock groove that echoed the CCR sound fans loved. Its dark, cautionary lyrics describe a menacing figure whose “hand is on your shoulder,” fitting Fogerty’s knack for Southern Gothic storytelling. The song was a hit, climbing to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making it his biggest solo single. Its MTV video, shot in a continuous tracking sequence, also boosted its popularity during the rise of music television.
But success came with controversy. Fantasy Records sued Fogerty, claiming ‘The Old Man Down the Road‘ plagiarized CCR’s ‘Run Through the Jungle‘—a song Fogerty himself had written and recorded in 1970. In a bizarre twist, Fogerty was essentially accused of copying himself. The case became a landmark in copyright law. Fogerty took the unusual step of performing both songs in court with his guitar to demonstrate their musical differences. The jury sided with him in 1988, ruling that an artist cannot be guilty of self-plagiarism.
The victory was more than personal—it reshaped how copyright claims were viewed in the music industry. Fogerty later recovered his legal fees in a Supreme Court ruling, solidifying the case’s historic impact.
Today, ‘The Old Man Down the Road‘ is remembered not only as a driving rock anthem but also as a symbol of Fogerty’s resilience, creativity, and determination to stand up for his artistic freedom.
