Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in 1969 during the Vietnam War, is a powerful protest song that criticizes the class inequality surrounding military conscription. Written by John Fogerty, it voices the frustration of working-class Americans who were drafted into the war while the wealthy and politically connected often avoided service. With its defiant chorus—”It ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son”—the song became an anthem for the anti-war movement and a symbol of resistance against injustice and privilege. Despite its anti-establishment message, it has sometimes been misused in patriotic contexts, which Fogerty has publicly denounced. Over time, “Fortunate Son” has remained a culturally significant and enduring piece of protest music, frequently featured in films and media to evoke the turmoil of the Vietnam era and broader issues of social inequality.