It Came Out Of The Sky

Album: Willy and the Poor Boys (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a satire in which a space object plummets to earth and triggers overreactions of greed and paranoia in both the California governor's mansion and the White House. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brad Wind - Miami, FL
  • This is told from the perspective of the meteorite: "Don't you know I'm flying tonight," "Gonna hear the sun tonight," etc.
  • CCR's song "Hey Tonight" was a sequel to this, told from the perspective of the meteorite: "Don't you know I'm flying tonight," "Gonna hear the sun tonight," etc. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • Pappy from MichiganThis song is about the great UFO flap of 1966.

    "Well, a crowd gathered 'round and a scientist said it was marsh gas" link:

    https://bit.ly/3et8UGb
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI saw a comment on Youtube last year that this song was about someone who lost an amp or something like that out of a plane. never could get the person to comment back to hear the whole story. It has become my very FAV CCR tune they ever recorded.
  • Brian from Los Angeles, Ca"Walter and Eric said they'd put him on in their TV show." Refers to legendary newsmen of the time Walter Cronkite and Eric Sevareid. If you've not heard of them, it's because you watch TMZ.
  • Jason from Thousand Oaks, CaThere's a reference in the song to Nixon VP Spiro T. Agnew, "Spiro came and made a speach about raising the Mars tax". Nixon appointed Agnew head of the National Aeronautics and Space Council. After Agnew publicly advocated a space shot to Mars, it was explained to him that there was no money for a project of that magnitude. There's also a reference to Ronald Reagan, "Ronnie the popular say's it was a communist plot". Reagan was the Governer of California at the time, and his transition from acting to politics is where the "popular" sentiment comes from.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.