Ramble Tamble

"Ramble Tamble" is a song written by John Fogerty and recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was released as the opening track on the band's fifth studio album, Cosmo's Factory, in 1970.^[4][5][6] It is known for its lengthy instrumental section and tempo changes.

"Ramble Tamble"
Song by Creedence Clearwater Revival
from the album Cosmo's Factory
Released	July 16, 1970
Genre	Southern rock[1] psychedelic rock[1] space rock[2] rockabilly[3]
Length	7:09
Label	Fantasy
Songwriter(s)	John Fogerty
Producer(s)	John Fogerty

Background

A Southern rock song, "Ramble Tamble" begins and ends with rockabilly elements, and contains a psychedelic rock breakdown lasting four minutes.^[1] In 1970, John Fogerty said that "Ramble Tamble" developed from "a lot of things," including elements of the original version of "Commotion" from Green River.^[7]

John Fogerty explained the song's genesis in his autobiography, Fortunate Son: My Life, My Music:

"Ramble Tamble" just came to me one night when I was lying in bed. The melody, the guitar, the whole vibe of it, from stem to stern. I had no idea what it was about, but I could hear the sound of the guitar and the way the record would sound. That was a true gift—"Here, my son. You might need this. Pay attention." Every once in a rare while, it works that way.^[8]

Reception

"Ramble Tamble" has been singled out for critical praise,^[9] with music journalist Steven Hyden calling it "the most rockin' song of all time."^[10] AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as a "claustrophobic, paranoid rocker" whose lengthy instrumental section "was dramatic and had a direction," unlike that of the band's rendition of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".^[5] Brett Milano of udiscovermusic.com rated Fogerty's guitar solo as one of the 100 all-time greatest, stating that Fogerty "poured on the tension and the distortion, delivering a monster sound from the deep swamps."^[11] On the other hand, Rolling Stone critic John Grissim considered "Ramble Tamble" to be the only "unsatisfying" song on Cosmo's Factory.^[6]