Is fortunate son anti war?

Is "Fortunate Son" Anti-War?

Introduction

"Fortunate Son" is a song written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. The song has been widely interpreted as an anti-war anthem, but is it really? In this article, we will delve into the lyrics and historical context of the song to answer this question.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of "Fortunate Son" are often cryptic and open to interpretation. However, they appear to be a commentary on the Vietnam War and the privileged elite who avoided military service. The opening lines, "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’ / They point the cannon at you, Lord", seem to be a criticism of the patriotic fervor that accompanied the war.

The chorus, "It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son / It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one", is often seen as a rejection of the privileged status of those who avoided military service. The lyrics also contain references to the war, such as "Old man took a big fat shotgun / To give those big book learnin’ boys / A good lesson", which seem to be a commentary on the brutality of the war.

Historical Context

"Fortunate Son" was released in 1969, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The Vietnam War was raging, and opposition to the war was growing. The song’s release coincided with the height of the anti-war movement, and it is likely that the song was intended to be a commentary on the war and its impact on American society.

Is the Song Anti-War?

So, is "Fortunate Son" an anti-war song? The answer is not straightforward. While the song does contain lyrics that criticize the war and the privileged elite who avoided military service, it is not a straightforward anti-war anthem. The song’s message is more complex and open to interpretation.

Arguments For an Anti-War Message

• The song’s lyrics contain strong criticisms of the war and the privileged elite who avoided military service.
• The song’s release coincided with the height of the anti-war movement, and it is likely that the song was intended to be a commentary on the war and its impact on American society.
• The song’s message is consistent with the anti-war movement’s message of opposition to the war and its causes.

Arguments Against an Anti-War Message

• The song’s lyrics are not a direct call to action against the war, and they do not contain a clear message of opposition to the war.
• The song’s message is more focused on the privileged elite who avoided military service, rather than the war itself.
• The song’s release coincided with the height of the anti-war movement, but it is not a direct product of the movement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "Fortunate Son" is not a straightforward anti-war anthem, it is likely that the song contains anti-war themes and messages. The song’s lyrics contain strong criticisms of the war and the privileged elite who avoided military service, and its release coincided with the height of the anti-war movement. However, the song’s message is more complex and open to interpretation, and it is not a direct call to action against the war.

Table: Key Lyrics and Their Interpretation

Bullets: Key Points

• The song’s lyrics contain strong criticisms of the war and the privileged elite who avoided military service.
• The song’s release coincided with the height of the anti-war movement.
• The song’s message is more complex and open to interpretation.
• The song is not a direct call to action against the war.
• The song’s message is more focused on the privileged elite who avoided military service, rather than the war itself.