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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down On The Corner - 1969




"Down on the Corner" is a song by the American band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It appeared on their fourth studio album, Willy and the Poor Boys (1969).


The song chronicles the tale of the fictional band Willy and the Poor Boys, and how they play on street corners to cheer people up and ask for nickels (equivalent to $0.35 in 2019).


The song makes reference to a washboard, a kazoo, a Kalamazoo guitar, and a gut bass. In a 1969 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the band performed the song as Willy and the Poor Boys. Stu Cook played a gut bass, Doug Clifford the washboard, and Tom Fogerty the Kalamazoo, which mimicked the appearance of the band as they appear on the album cover.




Lyrics


Early in the evenin' just about supper time

Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind

Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up

Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile

Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while

Poor Boy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo

And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


You don't need a penny just to hang around

But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?

Over on the corner there's a happy noise

People come from all around to watch the magic boy


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet


Down on the corner

Out in the street

Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'

Bring a nickel, tap your feet



Songwriters: John Cameron Fogerty

Down on the Corner lyrics © The Bicycle Music Company




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