My Baby Left Me

The song My Baby Left Me, originally written by blues singer Arthur Crudup, has a rich history that extends far beyond a single performance. It was first recorded in Chicago on November 8, 1950, with Ransom Knowling on bass and Judge Riley on drums. However, its popularity grew through covers by other artists. Elvis Presley included his version on the B-side of his 1956 single, I Want You, I Need You, I Love You. Later, Creedence Clearwater Revival incorporated it into their 1970 album, Cosmo's Factory. This album, released by Fantasy Records, was a major success for the band, spending nine consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and being certified 4× platinum. The record, which showcased CCR's versatility with a mix of rock and roll and "swamp rock," was considered one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2020.

The Creedence Clearwater Revival version of My Baby Left Me was arranged and produced by John Fogerty, who was also the band's lead singer and guitarist. The band, formed by brothers John and Tom Fogerty, along with bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford, was characterized by its rock and roll and distinctive "swamp rock" sound. Despite the band's dissolution, their music, including this song, remains a fundamental part of American music history and an influence on other musicians. The song was also performed by artists such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Lennon (with a slightly altered title), Elton John in a medley, Loggins and Messina, and Andy Fairweather Low. In 1977, the British band Slade released a version that fused My Baby Left Me with another Crudup track, That's All Right, reaching number 32 on the UK charts. This version was recorded in August at Advision Studios in London.