About the song
“Fortunate Son” is an iconic track by Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in October 1969 as part of their fourth studio album, *Willy and the Poor Boys*. Originally released as a single alongside “Down on the Corner” in September 1969, the song quickly became a defining anthem of the Vietnam War era. Its release coincided with a period of intense national debate over U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and “Fortunate Son” emerged as a powerful symbol of countercultural resistance and critique of the socio-political elite.
The song’s sharp lyrics and rebellious tone struck a chord with audiences, achieving notable commercial success. It climbed to number 14 on the U.S. charts in late 1969, eventually peaking at number 3 by December of the same year. It won the RIAA Gold Disc award in December 1970, and its significance was further cemented when it was included in Pitchfork Media’s list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s” and Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” (though it saw a drop to number 227 in the 2020 edition). The Library of Congress added the song to the National Recording Registry in 2013 for its cultural and historical significance.
John Fogerty, the song’s writer and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s lead singer, crafted “Fortunate Son” as a critique of class privilege and inequality. While the song’s roots are in the anti-war sentiment of the era, its focus is more on the unfair advantages of the wealthy who could avoid the draft, highlighting the disparity between the privileged and those forced into military service. Fogerty has explained that the song’s creation was driven by his frustration with the systemic inequities of the draft system, and the lines “It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son” reflect this sentiment.
The song’s powerful message has ensured its enduring relevance, being featured prominently in various forms of media related to the Vietnam War and anti-war protests. It has appeared in films, TV shows, and video games, often used to underscore themes of protest and social justice. Its inclusion in the soundtrack of video games such as *Battlefield Vietnam* and *Call of Duty: Black Ops* further demonstrates its cultural impact.
Despite its broad popularity, the song has also encountered some controversy. For instance, John Fogerty was unsettled when “Fortunate Son” was used in a Wrangler commercial, leading him to publicly criticize the use of his song for commercial purposes. Fogerty’s stance on the matter eventually led to the discontinuation of the song’s use in the advertisement.
Overall, “Fortunate Son” remains a quintessential piece of American rock music, known not only for its catchy melody and memorable lyrics but also for its enduring social and political commentary. Its influence extends beyond music into broader cultural and political discussions, making it a powerful statement against inequality and a symbol of resistance against unjust systems.
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Lyrics
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Hoo, 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 furtunate one, no
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don’t they help themselves, Lord?
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-yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes
Hoo, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask ’em, “How much should we give?”
Hoo, they only answer, “More, more, more, more”
It ain’t me, it ain’t me
I ain’t no military son, son, Lord
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…