Song
Fortunate Son
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album:
Willy and The Poor Boys
Song meaning of Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
According to the song's author, John Fogerty, "speaks more to the unfairness of class than war itself," and how the children of the wealthy are able to avoid the draft.
The song was released during the height of American involvement in the Vietnam War, but it is not specifically critical of that conflict. "It's the old saying about rich men making war and poor men having to fight them."
Fortunate Son lyrics by Creedence Clearwater Revival
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 come to the door
Lord, the house lookin' like a rummage sale, yeah
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
Yeah!
Some folks inherit star-spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer, "More! More! More!" Yo
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
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
It ain't me, it ain't me
Release Date
1969
Songwriter/s
John Fogerty
Producer/s
John Fogerty
Label/s
Fantasy