Music to Game to – Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

If you've ever said to yourself, "Man, I wish I could play that song on Rock Band!" you're in the right place.  This is a regular article dedicated to putting the spotlight on musicians, specific songs, or even genres so far absent from the music game industry (notably Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and their many-numbered sequels.)  I'm absolutely open to suggestions either in comments or messages as well.

If you've ever turned on a radio, it's quite likely that you've heard their songs.  Everyone's familiar with their hits; from their commentary on the Vietnam War to songs about watching rainfall and meeting by a road, their subject matter often seems mundane, until you really listen.  I also think it's safe to say that they originally popularized being on a boat, too.  I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing to play along with Creedence Clearwater Revival in Rock Band!

The group's got a few songs in music games so far, but it's sparse.  A cover of "Fortunate Son" in Rock Band DLC and "Up Around the Bend" and "Commotion" (DLC) in GH:WT is all.  CCR has much more to supply in term of great music to imitate in games, though.  They were only around for about 5 years, 1967-1972, but produced more hits than other groups that have been around for much longer.  You might find it interesting to know that they're from around San Francisco, when their musical style might incline you to think otherwise.

Creedence Clearwater Revival doesn't specialize in especially long songs; most of their music caps at around three minutes.  Most notable is, of course, the driving "Fortunate Son", but much of CCR's music is full of motion for all instruments and listeners.  "Lookin' Out my Back Door" is bouncy, "Proud Mary" is steadily chugging along, and "Up Around the Bend" is literally about rockin' on a highway.  I don't think I need to explain "Travelin' Band", either.  Percussion and guitar are equally energetic in their music and would both be great to play in Rock Band.  Finally, Fogarty's voice is certainly iconic, and if the choruses of "Down on the Corner" and the like don't catch you, I don't know what will.  It might also be fun to double up on lead guitar and vocals for an extra challenge, like Fogarty does.

In my dreams: Cosmo's Factory

A good start: "Fortunate Son", "Proud Mary", "Down on the Corner"

Playing songs in Rock Band or Guitar Hero is one of the most immersive ways to experience music, second to playing it for real, of course.  Let me know if you'd like to see this in a game, too.  Would you pick something else?  I'd like to hear your thoughts.