Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: CCR's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

Marvin Gaye's version of this classic song was far more successful, topping the charts for seven weeks in 1968.  When Creedence Clearwater Revival released their classic album Cosmo's Factory, they did not initially release their version as a single.  No matter--it received tons of airplay, and still does to this day (in fact more than Gaye's version).  In 1976, CCR had long since split, but the record company finally released the single.  It peaked at#43, easily making CCR's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*:

 

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

CCR

 

 

Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong

 

 

Oo, Bet you're wond'ring how I knew 'bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy that you knew before?
Between the two of us guys, you know I love you more.
It took me by surprise, I must say, when I found out yesterday. Oo,

[CHORUS:]
I heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine.
Oo, I heard it through the grapevine, and I'm just about to lose my mind.
Honey, honey yeah.

You know that a man ain't supposed to cry, but these tears I can't hold inside.
Losin' you would end my life you see, 'cause you mean that much to me.
You could have told me yourself that you found someone else.
Instead,

[CHORUS]

People say you "Hear from what you see, na na not from what you hear."
I can't help bein' confused; if it's true, won't you tell me dear?
Do you plan to let me go for the other guy that you knew before? Oo,

[CHORUS]

[CHORUS]