The song "Proud Mary" was written by John Fogerty, the vocalist and lead guitarist of the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. He wrote the song in 1968 shortly after he was discharged from the National Guard. It was released as a single in January 1969 and was part of Creedence Clearwater Revival's second studio album, Bayou Country.
John Fogerty has described that "Proud Mary" was arranged from parts of different songs and was inspired by a real riverboat of the same name that traveled along the Mississippi River. The lyrics reflect the story of someone leaving a "good job in the city" for a new life on the river, symbolically seeking freedom and rebirth.
Thus, John Fogerty is credited as the original writer of "Proud Mary."
