Interpretation
"Fortunate Son" by
John Fogerty is a political song that emerged during the Vietnam War era in the United States. The lyrics of the song criticize the political and social system in which the privileged sons and daughters of wealthy and powerful families are spared while the less privileged are sent to war.
The lines "Some folks are born, made to wave the flag, Ooh, that red, white and blue. But when the band plays, 'Hail to the Chief' Ooh, they point the cannon at you" criticize that some people are born into privileged families and live the American dream, while others are sent to war.
In the repeating lines "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" the singer emphasizes that he does not belong to the privileged who are spared from war.
The verses "Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand, Lord, don't they help themselves. But when the taxman comes to the door, Lord, the house look like a rummage sale" criticize the injustice of the tax system that often spares the rich and burdens the poor.
The last verse "Yeah, some folks inherit Star Spangled eyes, Ooh, they'll send you down to war. But when you ask them, 'How much should we give?' Ooh, they only answer, 'More, more, more'" addresses the warmongers who send others to war but never make enough sacrifices themselves.
Overall, "Fortunate Son" is a sharp critique of the injustices of the American system, which favors the rich and powerful and disadvantages the poor and weak.