1970 Feel-Good Classic Became One of Rock's Most Beloved Road Trip Anthems
It's been just over 56 years since Creedence Clearwater Revival released one of their fan-favorite, feel-good classics.
CCR's 1970 hit "Up Around the Bend" is one of the most beloved songs from the band's catalog, and even all these years later, it still makes the perfect soundtrack for any summer road trip.
Written and performed by CCR frontman John Fogerty, "Up Around the Bend" paints a picture of an idyllic highway ride on an adventure to a better place, and it's high-energy sound and recognizable guitar riff make it an enduring go-to for summertime travel.
"Up Around the Bend" in April 1970 as a double A-side single with "Run Through The Jungle." It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 later the same month, before reaching its peak position at No. 4 in June of that year. The song was later featured on their fifth studio album, Cosmo's Factory, which also features other notable CCR tracks, like "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop the Rain," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and "Lookin' Out My Back Door."
Here are all of Creedence Clearwater Revival's songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and their peak placements:
- "Proud Mary," No. 2
- "Bad Moon Rising," No. 2
- "Lookin' Out My Back Door/Long As I Can See The Light," No. 2
- "Green River," No. 2
- "Travelin' Band/Who'll Stop The Rain," No. 2
- "Down On The Corner/Fortunate Son," No. 3
- "Up Around The Bend/Run Through The Jungle," No. 4
- "Sweet Hitch-Hiker," No. 6
- "Have You Ever Seen The Rain/Hey Tonight," No. 8
- "Suzie Q. (Part One)," No. 11
- "Fortunate Son," No. 14
- "Someday Never Comes," No. 25
- "Commotion," No. 30
- "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," No. 43
- "Lodi," No. 52
- "I Put A Spell On You," No. 58
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:59 PM.