Wrote a Song for Everyone Lyrics
Met myself a coming county welfare line
I was feeling strung out, Hung out on the line
Saw myself a going down to war in June
All I want, all I want is to write myself a tune
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
[Verse 2]
Got myself arrested, Wound me up in jail
Richmond 'bout to blow up, communication failed
If you see the answer, now's the time to say
All I want, all I want, is to get you down to pray
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
Saw the people standing thousand years in chains
Somebody said it's different now, look, it's just the same
Pharaohs spin the message, round and round the truth
They could have saved a million people, how can I tell you?
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
[Chorus]
Wrote a song for everyone
Wrote a song for truth
Wrote a song for everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you
About
John Fogerty said he wrote this song about his (now) ex-wife about 2 years after they had a child together. Quote from John Fogerty: “Inspired by my young wife at the time. It was early ‘69, and I was 23 years old. We had our first child, who, at the time, was two and a half. I was sitting in my room, writing the songs, pushing my career. Without the songs, the career ends. You might be a great band, but without the songs, you’re not going anywhere. At one point, my wife and I had a mild misunderstanding, I wouldn’t even call it a fight, She was miffed, taking our young son out, wishing I would be more involved. But there I was, the musician manic and possessed the only guy holding things up. Without me, it all collapses, so I’m feeling quite put upon. As she walks out the door, I say to my self, "I wrote a song for everyone, and I couldn’t even talk to you.” I looked at my piece of paper and changed gears. How many great leaders can’t even manage their own families? So I went with that. “Pharaohs spin the message/Round and round and true/Richmond’s about to blow up” referring to nearby Richmond, California. It was actually a true emotion that took on a larger meaning. It’s still a special song in the sense that it keeps my feet on the ground. You sit and write these songs, yet you try to talk to your own son and daughter and maybe you’re totally inadequate, trying to explain life to child. We used to record our album very quickly and I remember finishing five different songs in one afternoon. The fifth one didn’t work, and that was “Wrote A Song For Everyone.” I had to start over on that one.“ (Also to note John and his first wife split in 1989)
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
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