About The Song
“Proud Mary” was written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival and released by Ike & Tina Turner in January 1971 as the second single from their album “Workin’ Together”. Ike & Tina Turner’s rendition of “Proud Mary” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1971, and it won them a Grammy Award in 1972. Tina Turner was inspired to record “Proud Mary” after hearing it on the radio in early 1969, despite Ike Turner’s initial dislike for the song.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a person reflecting on leaving their old life behind and seeking a fresh start, using the metaphor of a steamboat on the Mississippi River. Ike & Tina Turner’s rendition of “Proud Mary” differs significantly from the original version by Creedence Clearwater Revival and became one of Tina Turner’s most iconic songs. Tina Turner’s electrifying vocals and the song’s powerful arrangement made it a timeless classic, resonating with individuals from all walks of life.
Lyrics
[Tina:]
You know, every now and then
I think you might like to hear something from us
Nice and easy but there's just one thing
You see, we never ever do nothing nice and easy
We always do it nice and rough
So we're going to take the beginning of this song
And do it easy
Then we're going to do the finish rough
This is the way we do 'Proud Mary'
[Ike:]
Left a good job in the city
Working for the man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleeping
Worrying 'bout the way that things might have been
[Ike and Tina:]
Big wheel keep on turning
Proud Mary keep on burning
And we're rolling, rolling
Rolling on the river
Listen to the story
Left a good job in the city
Working for the man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleeping
Worrying 'bout the way that things might have been
Big wheel keep on turning
Proud Mary keep on burning
And we're rolling, rolling
Rolling yeah
Rolling
Rolling on the river
Rolling on the river
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Ya know I pumped a lot of 'tane down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of the city
Until I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
Ya know the big wheel keep on turning
Proud Mary keep on burning
And we're rolling (Rolling)
Rolling yeah (Rolling)
Rolling on the river (Rolling on the river)
Said we're rolling (Rolling)
Rolling yeah (Rolling)
Rolling on the river (Rolling on the river)
[Tina:]
Oh I left a good job in the city
Working for the man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleeping
Worrying 'bout the way that things might have been
Big wheel keep on turning (Turning)
Proud Mary keep on burning (Burning)
Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river
We're rolling, rolling, rolling on the river
We're up
Do do do do do do do do do do
Alright
Oh I cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
And I pumped a lot of 'tane down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of the city
'Til I hitched a ride on the riverboat queen
Big wheel keep on turning (Turning)
Proud Mary keep on burning (Burning)
We're rolling, said we're rolling, we're rolling on the river
I'll tell ya we're rolling, rolling, rolling on the river
We're up
Do do do do do do do do do do
Alright
Yeah
Ooo yeah yeah yeah yeah
Ooo
If you come down to the river
I bet you going to find some people who live
And you don't have to worry if you got no money
People on the river are happy to give
Big wheel keep on turning (Turning)
Proud Mary keep on burning (Burning)
And we're rolling, and we're rolling, and we're rolling on the river
Tell me one more time rolling, (Yeah)
Rolling, rolling on the river (All right, ooo yeah)
We're up
Do do do do do do do do do do
Yeah
Alright
Uh-huh
Wooo
Ohh
Rolling, rolling, yeah,rolling on the river (All right now)
Rolling, yeah, rolling, rolling on the river
Said we're rolling, oh rolling, yeah rolling on the river
I'll tell ya we're rolling, rolling, rolling on the river
Yeah
Alright
Uh-huh