When interpreted literally, the chorus of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” hints at an unusual, yet legitimate event that is more common in certain Southern states (via Clean Energy). But if you look a little deeper and consider the increasingly contentious relationship between CCR singer-guitarist (and undisputed band leader) John Fogerty and his bandmates, it can be interpreted as a portent of the group’s eventual breakup. Yes, CCR was basking in the sunshine of chart success and rock stardom circa early 1971, which is when “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” reached its Billboard Hot 100 peak position of No. 8. But rain clouds were brewing in the form of band infighting, and the increasing discontent felt by Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook over their lack of creative control.
John Fogerty admitted as much in an interview with Rolling Stone, where he told Michael Goldberg that he wrote “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” after assessing the band’s unhappiness despite their continued good fortune. “That song is really about the impending breakup of Creedence,” he said. “The imagery is, you can have a bright, beautiful, sunny day and it can be raining at the same time. The band was breaking up. I was reacting: “Geez, this is all getting serious right at the time when we should be having a sunny day.”
