Creedence Clearwater Revival – Run Through the Jungle

Whoa, thought it was a nightmare
Lord it was so true

They told me don't go walking slow
The devil's on the loose

Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa, don't look back to see

Thought I heard a rumblin'
Calling to my name

Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries, "Take aim"

Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa, don't look back to see

Over on the mountain, thunder magic spoke
Let the people know my wisdom
Fill the land with smoke

Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa, don't look back to see


Lyrics submitted by shauncreaney

"Run Through the Jungle" as written by John Cameron Fogerty

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY

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Run Through the Jungle song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentJohn Fogerty was clearly against the Vietnam War. I believe this song was actually written as a dig against the American Government, which is the Satan, he making reference to. The devil, Presidents Nixon & Johnson, set out to crush and exterminate this "enemy" in a pure act of brutal belligerence.

    The line "Let the people know my wisdom" was the classic point that protesters constantly asked why, why are we there, who invited us to convert this tiny nation into the western thinking. All of the information and responses from the Government could not begin to explain or justify this act of war. The line could be translated as - Let those people know that we (Nixon, Johnson et al) can & will murder & destroy indiscriminately.

    The "thunder magic & smoke" represent the U.S. air strikes that pummeled the land. One of the most publicized battles of the Vietnam War was the siege of Khe Sanh in early 1968, known as "Operation Niagra." More than 24,000 tactical and 2700 B-52 strike dropped 110,000 tons of ordnance in attacks that averaged over 300 sorties per day. Also, there was an airborne weapon called “puff the magic dragon” which fired up to 6,000 rounds per minute and the aircraft carried 54,000 rounds – when this let loose, it literally leveled everything in its path – you better run through the jungle!

    This war was the biggest farce perpetrated upon the American people and John Forgerty had the courage to stand up and fully use his 1st Amendment right to challenge our leaders.

    That’s my take on it.
    jeffllynchon July 08, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentShaun I don't see that. If anything it's anti vietnam. If you know CCR you know they were very much against the war in Vietnam.

    I dunno if the last line is an actual quote. "Let the people know my wisdom, fill the land with smoke" But it could maybe be interpreted as the US Government saying they 'are going to show this country how to do things right by bombing and killing everyone'. And obviously alot of Americans(CCR Included) saw things this way, and felt it was wrong.

    Sorry if that doesn't make sense. Read it a couple times you may get it.
    Muzzyon March 05, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General CommentSound interpretation "Aqualung" (who's a Jethro Tull fan?).
    Definitely anti-war, and particularly the Vietnam war.
    chrisb1on September 23, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI'm pretty young for it too. 15.

    But I still think CCR rocks my socks.
    SilenzXEon October 22, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My OpinionWow, just reading The Man in The Black Suit by Stephen King and noticed right away how much one part of the book reminds me of this song.

    Must read if you guys are interested.

    readanybooks.net/horror/The_Man_in_the_Black_Suit/…
    YossarianTon June 03, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis song has nothing to do with Vietnam. Nor is it about the end days. Its about gun crime in general. And Ophelia 52, "Who'll Stop The Rain" was about their experiences at Woodstock.
    Gregonisky13on June 23, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI forgot the lead singers name, and I'll be damned if that ever happens again, but I like that accent he has cause in the song it sounds like "thought I hoid a rumblin'" and boy does that make me smile on the worst day of my life. I always thought that a lot of songs from CCR were somehow related to Vietnam.
    Yakuza Warlordon June 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMuzzy has it right, I feel.
    bawanderron April 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commentyea shaun, u must be somewhere filled w/ smoke b/c john fogerty (the lead singer's name) would NEVER have written a song promoting the war in Vietnam...i sure the devil is not a reference to a specific person, like the US president, but is simply a representation of the attitudes that lead people to war, like the devil and the angel telling u wat to do, the devil cries "take aim" ...but he is criticizing presidents kennedy through nixon for listening
    ZinbobDanon June 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is better than Fortunate Son...the introduction sounds a like a jet going overhead. That's a sweet piece of music.
    OpinionHeadon December 15, 2004   Link

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