Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son (1969)

Fortunate Son (1969) is one of the Vietnam era’s best-known protest songs. Written by John Fogerty and performed by Fogerty’s band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son takes aim at the United States’ political and military elite, the men who push for war but are seldom personally affected by it. According to Fogerty, Fortunate Son was inspired by the marriage of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s grandson to Richard Nixon’s daughter. In simple but angry tones, Fogerty’s lyrics suggest that the children of the working classes – not “senator’s sons” or “millionaire’s sons” – are drafted and sent to into the teeth of war. Fortunate Son peaked at number three on American singles charts and has been played widely ever since.

Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they’re red, white and blue.
And when the band plays “Hail to the chief”
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord.

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no.

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks-a like a rummage sale, yeah sir

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no, no.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no.

Some folks inherit star-spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord.
And when you ask them, “How much should we give?”
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more!

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no military son, son, oh no.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, one.

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son, no no no.


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