Fortunate Son - John C. Fogerty's Vietnam War Classic

I first heard "Fortunate Son" when it came out in 1969. I was sitting in my bunker north of Cu Chi, writing a letter and listening to Armed Forces Network radio. It was a passionate, angry protest song, and the lyrics were hard to make out. But the phrase, "I ain't no millionaire's son, no," struck a chord. I later learned that back then Julie Nixon was dating David Eisenhower, and Fogerty knew that privileged kids like these would not be the ones sent to fight the war.

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,

Yeah!
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 like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, 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! yoh,

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,

The rock songs of that era are the only ones that move me anymore. It was some pretty powerful stuff. Fogerty also wrote "Born on the Bayou" and "Proud Mary." Creedance Clearwater Revival broke up in 1972, but I understand Fogerty is still going strong, still rocking.

Other favorites...

"Woodstock" - Crosby, Stills and Nash

"Hotel California" - The Eagles

"Imagine" - John Lennon

"Taking Care of Business - Bachmann Turner Overdrive

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2011. Building Personal Strength . (Photo used in accordance with terms of Wikimedia free use)