Fortunate Son

**Fortunate Son** by  Creedence Clearwater Revival

According to billboard, this popular song peaked at #14 on November 2, 1969 finding high acclaims from anti-war protesters. This song was added to National Registr2014 y in and, based on an essay from Hank Bordowitz, he described the song as, "It was more about who went to fight in the days before the
Volunteer Army, when any 18-year-old’s number could come up in the draft."

Social ill/problem being protested -

The problem being protested is the Vietnam War, more specifically the Draft which affected the underprivileged but left the privileged few untouched/unaffected by the draft and by extension the Vietnam War. This song appealed to the young generation revealing a problem that poised a threat to daily life, creating a masterpiece that is relatable to the majority.

Sample of Lyrics

*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*

(Thoughts that most faced when the notice of draft was mailed to them.)

*Some folks are born silver spoon in hand*

*Lord, don't they help themselves, oh*
(Appeal to the majority and taking a forward position on the privileged few.)

Relevance/ Is it convincing in its message?

This song is convincing in its message because it was written in the context of the counterculture Anti-War movement in the late 1960s and addresses issues that were commonly brought up because of the Vietnam War like Draft and its flaws. The first 2 verses listed here take jabs (Muhammad Ali Reference) at the rich specifically those that are exempt from the draft if you take the Vietnam War and the draft that occurred into context.

Event, person, and place at issue

The event being protested is the Vietnam War more specifically the draft in the United States at the time more specifically how underprivileged people expected were expected to serve while the most privileged were not.

Approximate date song was produced/Location Produced

Fortunate Son was recorded in 1969 and released on September 1969. It was recorded and produced at in Fantasy Studios, Berkely, California.

Significance of the song in history

“Soon after its release  became an anti-war movement anthem; an expressive symbol of the counterculture's opposition to U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War and solidarity with the soldiers fighting it. The song even peaked at #3 in United States charts on December 20, 1970. In 2014, the song was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." (Hank Bordowitz 2014)

Contemporary Connections

Featured in the popular movie Forrest Gump and used as a soundtrack in the game Battlefield 2 - Bad Company 2 : Vietnam

Trivia

* Creedence performed this on The Ed Sullivan Show, probably because the show's producers didn't realize it was a protest song. The show tried hard not to offend anyone, and usually had bands perform their least controversial songs or alter the lyrics for the show
* Fogerty does not own the publishing rights to this song. He lost them, along with all the other songs he wrote for CCR, in his contract with Fantasy Records, which the band signed when they were struggling.

Reason

This song has found common reference in memes today referencing previous generations.

Sources

“Fortunate Son.” *Wikipedia*, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortunate\_Son.

Songfacts. “Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival - Songfacts.” *Song Meanings at Songfacts*, https://www.songfacts.com/facts/creedence-clearwater-revival/fortunate-son.

"'Fortunate Son'--Creedece Clearwater Revival (1969)" http://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/Fortunate%20Son.pdf

“Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son.” *Genius*, 2 Nov. 1969, https://genius.com/Creedence-clearwater-revival-fortunate-son-lyrics.