CENTERFIELD^©

Live 02 Oct 2004 version

Well beat the drum, hold the phone, the sun came out today
We're born again, there's new grass on the field
I'm still roundin' third, headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man
Anyone can understand the way I feel

Oh put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Look at me, I can be Centerfield

Well I spent some time in the Mudville Nine, I'm watchin' it from the bench
You know I took my lumps when the Mighty Casey struck out
So say "hey" Willie, tell Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio
Don't say "it ain't so", you know the time is now

Oh put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Look at me, I can be Centerfield

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand new pair of shoes
You know I think it's time to give this game a ride
Just to hit the ball and touch 'em all, a moment in the sun
It's a-gone and you can tell that one goodbye

Oh put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Look at me, I can be

Oh put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Well put me in Coach, I'm ready to play, today
Look at me, gotta be Centerfield
Yeah!

Written by John Fogerty, from his 1985 album Centerfield.

Rehearsed for the Vote For Change tour on 28 and 29 September 2004 at the Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ, and performed with John Fogerty during each show of the tour (except on 11 Oct 2005 in Washington, DC):

• 01 Oct 2004 at Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
• 02 Oct 2004 at Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
• 03 Oct 2004 at Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
• 05 Oct 2004 at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
• 08 Oct 2004 at TD Waterhouse, Orlando, FL
• 13 Oct 2004 at the Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

John Fogerty is on lead vocals, playing a baseball bat shaped guitar, backed by the E Street Band, with the fake handclaps triggered by Max Weinberg in the background, and Bruce sharing vocals on the chorus.

The above lyrics refer to the live 02 Oct 2004 performance at Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH. Check also John Fogerty's original version.

Spoken intro on 02 Oct 2004 at San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy

??? It's my pleasure to bring now somebody who's music has given me such pleasure for so long... Gave me something great to play all those nights when we were played at the bars (chuckles), one of the great American songwriters Mr. John Fogerty.