About the song
“Down on the Corner” is a quintessential track from the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released as a single in 1969 from their fourth studio album, *Willy and the Poor Boys*. This song, with its catchy rhythm and vivid storytelling, achieved considerable success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 20, 1969. It also enjoyed notable chart positions internationally, reaching No. 4 in Canada and No. 5 in New Zealand. In Continental Europe, it performed exceptionally well, climbing to No. 2 in Germany, No. 9 in Austria, No. 8 in the Netherlands, and achieving high placements in both Flemish and French-speaking regions of Belgium. Despite its impressive success across the globe, it only managed to reach No. 31 in the United Kingdom.
The song presents a colorful narrative about a fictional street band, Willy and the Poor Boys, who play on street corners to uplift the spirits of passersby and collect small change. This portrayal is enriched by references to a range of instruments such as the harmonica, washboard, kazoo, Kalamazoo guitar, and gut bass, contributing to the song’s distinct, lively sound.
John Fogerty, the songwriter behind the track, revealed that the inspiration for the song’s whimsical name came from a curious source. He recounted seeing an advertisement for Disney’s *Winnie the Pooh*, which sparked the idea of “Willy and the Poor Boys.” This playful concept evolved into a song that captures the essence of a lively, community-centered musical performance.
The band’s appearance on *The Music Scene* in 1969 further enhanced the song’s charm. Dressed as Willy and the Poor Boys, members of Creedence Clearwater Revival played their parts with authenticity—Stu Cook on gut bass, Doug Clifford on washboard, and Tom Fogerty with a Kalamazoo guitar, mimicking the band’s portrayal on the album cover.
Billboard described the single as having “an infectious calypso beat,” highlighting its irresistibly upbeat nature. “Down on the Corner” remains a memorable and iconic piece of the band’s legacy, celebrated for its catchy rhythm and imaginative narrative.
Video
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 harpDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetRooster 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
Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazooDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetYou 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 boyDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’
Bring a nickel, tap your feetDown on the corner, out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin’