The Old Man Down the Road

Song infobox
Name = The Old Man Down the Road


Artist = John Fogerty
Album = Centerfield
Released = January 15, 1985
track_no = 1
Recorded = 1984
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:34
Label = Warner Bros.
Writer = John Fogerty
Producer = John Fogerty
prev =
prev_no = -
next = "Rock and Roll Girls"
next_no = 2

"The Old Man Down the Road" is a popular song written and recorded by John Fogerty. It was released in 1985 and became a top 10 hit single, peaking at #10 on the US singles chart. It was lifted from Fogerty's comeback album "Centerfield".

Fogerty v. Zaentz

"See main article Fogerty v. Fantasy"

Saul Zaentz, owner of Fantasy Records claimed that "The Old Man Down The Road" shared the same chorus as "Run Through The Jungle" (a song from Fogerty's days with Creedence Clearwater Revival: years before. Fogerty had relinquished copy and publishing rights of his Creedence songs to Zaentz and Fantasy, in exchange for release from his contractual obligations to same). The defendant Fogerty ultimately prevailed, when he showed that the two songs were whole, separate and distinct compositions. Bringing his guitar to the witness stand, he played excerpts from both songs, demonstrating that many songwriters (himself included) have distinctive styles that can make different compositions sound similar to less discerning ears.

After prevailing as defendant, Fogerty sued Zaentz for the cost of defending himself against the copyright infringement. In such (copyright) cases, prevailing defendants seeking recompense were bound to show that original suit was frivolous or made in bad faith.

Fogerty v. Fantasy, Inc. became precedent when the Supreme Court (1993) overturned lower court rulings and awarded attorneys' fees to Fogerty, without Fogerty having to show that Zaentz's original suit was frivolous.

Dedication

The album is dedicated to, "Gossimer Wump." Fogerty said in an interview, "When I was a young kid, my brothers had a record called "The Adventures of Gossimer Wump." Gossimer Wump is a little kid who saw a big parade comin' down the road and thinks "Hey, this is what I want, I want to be a musician."

Gossimer goes through all the instruments comin' by and does not know how to decide what instrument he wants to play. Then, at the end of the parade he sees the triangle and thinks, "Yes, that's what I want to play." Determined to learn how to play the triangle, Gossimer takes his belongings and 26 peanut butter sandwiches and leaves for the big city. On his way he sings "jingle, jongle, jangle, ah'm goin' to the big city to learn to play the triangle."

In the city, Gossimer starts taking lessons and very soon he plays "tingle." After ten years of courage, determination, and hard work Gossimer plays "tingle." No difference? At first sight, no, but Gossimer, he can hear the difference. This is what I like about this story. After ten years in my garage, I played alone. They maybe don't hear the difference, but I do. Gossimer stuck to his dream, and that's why I dedicated this album to Gossimer Wump."