Bootleg (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)

"Bootleg" was written by John Fogerty and is about the belief that things that are bad for you are great.^[3] As Ray Rezos puts the song's subject; "“Bootleg” is a good, short number which explains how something often becomes more attractive when it is illegal."^[4] "Bootleg" was recorded with Tom Fogerty on a tuned down Fender King, though Tom's hand would cramp when learning how to play it.^[5] An alternate take of the song is included on the 40th anniversary edition of the album, and is almost twice as long as the final version.^[2] "Bootleg" is very similar to the album's closer "Keep On Chooglin'", specifically with its lead guitar riff.^[4]

Uncut magazine wrote in their May 14, 2014 special Creedence Clearwater Revival issue that "it’s a moonshine groove of the first order, its propulsive energy derived from the twin acoustic guitars (played by Tom and John) and John’s call-and-response vocal."^[6] In a ranking of every Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969 song from worst to best, Michael Gallucci placed it as number 13, calling it a "companion piece" to "Born on the Bayou", the opening track of Bayou Country.^[7] Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote in an AllMusic review that it "is a minor masterpiece, thanks to its tough acoustic foundation, sterling guitar work, and clever story."^[8] The song is included on compilations such as More Creedence Gold,^[9] Ultimate Creedence Clearwater Revival: Greatest Hits & All-Time Classics,^[10] their 2001 self-titled box set,^[11] and a live version on The Long Road Home.^[12] The band filmed a music video for "Bootleg", which shows the band performing the song on a riverboat named "Princess". The song was released as a France only single, b-sided with their cover of "Good Golly, Miss Molly". The song's lyrics were involved in a lawsuit under the title of "Stoner vs. eBay Inc.", specificaly quoting the lines "Take you a glass of water, make it against the law/See how good the water tastes, when you can't have any at all".^[13]