Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Fortunate Son
by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Some folks are born, made to wave the flag
Ooo, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the Chief"
Ooo, 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, y'all
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks 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
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!", y'all

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

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: John C Fogerty

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Watch artist interviews here.

"Fortunate Son" was released as a single in late 1969. Songwriter John Fogerty intended the song as a protest against the Vietnam War. The song is critical of the fortunate sons of those in high places e.g. the political elite and/or the wealthy who are able to avoid the horrors of war for themselves or their relatives by benefiting from their privileged backgrounds.

Fogerty says that the song was indirectly inspired by David Eisenhower, the grandson of President Dwight David Eisenhower who married Julie Nixon Read Full Bio"Fortunate Son" was released as a single in late 1969. Songwriter John Fogerty intended the song as a protest against the Vietnam War. The song is critical of the fortunate sons of those in high places e.g. the political elite and/or the wealthy who are able to avoid the horrors of war for themselves or their relatives by benefiting from their privileged backgrounds.

Fogerty says that the song was indirectly inspired by David Eisenhower, the grandson of President Dwight David Eisenhower who married Julie Nixon, the daughter of President Richard Nixon in 1968. Eisenhower did later enlist in the Navy Reserve and served three years on active duty in the early 70s as an officer aboard a US Navy cruiser in the Mediterranean Sea.

Fogerty himself was drafted and served six months in various military bases in the United States.