In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.
Fortunate Son
Santana Lyrics
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Made to wave the flag
Ooh
They're red
White and blue.
And when the band plays
Hail to the chief
Oh, they point the cannon right at you.
It ain't me
It ain't me
It ain't no senator's son.
It ain't me
It ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate son.
Some folks are born
Silver spoon in hand
Lord
Don't they help themselves.
But when the tax man
Comes to the door
Lord
The house looks like a rummage sale, yeah
I ain't no son of a, son of a,
Military man
I ain't no fortunate's,
And I ain't no military's,
And I ain't no millionare's,
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Some folks in her it
Star spangled eyes
Ooh
They send you down to war.
And when you ask them
How much should you give?
They only answer more, more, more
It ain't me
It ain't me
I ain't no fortunate son.
It ain't me
It ain't me,
I ain't no military son.
It ain't me
It ain't me
I ain't no fortunate son.
The lyrics to Santana's song Fortunate Son speak of social and economic inequality, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War. The opening lines describe some individuals who are born into privilege, with the ability to wave the flag proudly as beneficiaries of the American Dream. These individuals also have significant power and influence, as demonstrated by the reference to pointing cannons at those who do not share their privileged status.
However, the song's narrator distances himself from these fortunate sons, stating that he is not the son of a senator or a military man. He acknowledges that others are born with a silver spoon in hand and help themselves, but notes that when the tax man comes around, their wealth suddenly disappears. The singer emphasizes that he is not a part of this system, stating that he is not a millionaire or a fortunate son.
The latter half of the song focuses on the military, denouncing those who send individuals down to war without acknowledging the true costs. The singer questions their demands for more and more sacrifice, highlighting the fact that he is not a military son or a fortunate son. Through this song, Santana brings attention to the societal inequalities and injustices that existed during the Vietnam War era, and continue to be present in different forms in society today.
Line by Line Meaning
Some folks are born Made to wave the flag Ooh They're red White and blue.
Some people are born to proudly and patriotically represent their country, and they do so with great enthusiasm and zeal.
And when the band plays Hail to the chief Oh, they point the cannon right at you.
When those in power and authority feel threatened or challenged, they use their brutal and deadly force to suppress any dissent and opposition.
It ain't me It ain't me It ain't no senator's son. It ain't me It ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son.
I am not privileged or entitled, nor do I come from a wealthy or influential family, and I do not benefit from my family's connections and status.
Some folks are born Silver spoon in hand Lord Don't they help themselves. But when the tax man Comes to the door Lord The house looks like a rummage sale, yeah
Some people are born into wealth and luxury, and they take advantage of their position and resources, but when they have to pay their fair share of taxes, they act like they are broke and destitute.
I ain't no son of a, son of a, Military man I ain't no fortunate's, And I ain't no military's, And I ain't no millionare's, Oh yeah yeah yeah
I am not a product of a military family or tradition, nor do I owe my success and status to any fortunate circumstances or external factors, and I am not a member of the privileged elite who dominate and control the world.
Some folks in her it Star spangled eyes Ooh They send you down to war. And when you ask them How much should you give? They only answer more, more, more
Some people fervently believe in their country's greatness and righteousness, and they are willing to fight and die for it, but when you question the morality and validity of the war, they demand even more sacrifice and commitment.
It ain't me It ain't me I ain't no fortunate son. It ain't me It ain't me, I ain't no military son. It ain't me It ain't me I ain't no fortunate son.
I refuse to be associated with the privileged and powerful, nor do I endorse or support their unjust and oppressive policies and actions, and I will not be coerced or manipulated into taking part in their wars and conflicts.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: John C Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind