John Fogerty recently released a newly recorded version of his 1970 Creedence Clearwater Revival hit “Long as I Can See the Light” as an advanced track from his upcoming studio album, Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years. Now, the 80-year-old rock legend has debuted an official music video for the tune on his YouTube channel.
Videos by American Songwriter
The video centers around a mysterious wandering young man who, as he passes various people, appears to magically leave them items that have emotional connections with loved ones from their pasts.
A young skateboarder finds a red bandana in his back pocket. A female schoolteacher discovers a spinning top on her desk. An old truck driver finds a homemade cassette tape with CCR songs on it on his dashboard. And an elderly woman turns up a pair of glasses with a cracked lens while gardening.
As the video proceeds, we are shown in flashbacks why each item is significant to the four people. The skater was given the bandana by an older brother or mentor who taught him skating moves. The teacher played with the top as a child with a man who was her father or grandfather. The trucker was given the cassette as a gift by an old girlfriend or wife. The glasses belonged the gardening woman’s husband.
As a nod to Fogerty’s album, the aforementioned cassette had the title Legacy written on it.
The video was directed and edited by Shane Drake.
More About “Long as I Can See the Light”
“Long as I Can See the Light” was featured on CCR’s chart-topping fifth studio album, Cosmo’s Factory. The album was released in July 1970.
The song was released as a double-sided single with “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a recent behind-the-scenes video posted on his social media pages, Fogerty talked about what “Long as I Can See the Light” means to him now. He explained that he now associates the tune with his deep love for his wife, Julie, whom he met in 1986 and married in 1991.
“For a long time in the middle of my life, I couldn’t see the light, as a matter of fact,” John said in the clip. “When Julie came into my life, everything lit up. She’s my best friend, and we are anchors for each other. She’s certainly my beacon. So when I sing that song, I think of Julie, just being by her side and the comfort of being with her soul. I do believe she’s my soulmate, and I do believe we were destined to meet and that we’ll be together forever.”
He added, “What ‘Long as I Can See the Light’ really means is that I always carry that in my heart, I always know the way to you, and everything’s gonna be OK.”
More About Fogerty’s Legacy Album
As previously reported, Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years will be released on August 22. The album features updated versions of 20 classic CCR tunes written by Fogerty.
Fogerty recorded Legacy with his sons Shane and Tyler, who also are longtime members of his touring band. A variety of respected session musicians also contributed to the project, including drummer Matt Chamberlain, keyboardist Bob Malone, bassist Bob Glaub, and sax player Rob Stone.
The album was co-produced by John and his son Shane, and was mixed by legendary engineer Bob Clearmountain.
“Long as I Can See the Light” was one of seven songs released as advance tracks from the album. The others were “Travelin’ Band,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Lodi,” “Up Around the Bend,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” and “Porterville.”
You can pre-order Legacy now.
(Photo by David McClister)
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