I didn’t think too deeply about the lyrics either when I heard it on the radio as a kid. Once we really “tune in”, the message becomes a lot clearer. Thanks for the restack, Reda. x
I love how you’ve broken down "Fortunate Son" and the powerful messages woven into its lyrics. The song captures so much of the disillusionment and injustice felt during the Vietnam War era, and your interpretation really brings that out clearly. The way the song critiques both the system of the draft and the inequality it perpetuated is still so relevant today, and your thoughtful analysis of each line helps illuminate the layers of protest and resistance within it.
I appreciate how you tie in the concept of privilege, with those who could defer military service using their wealth and connections, versus those who had no choice but to answer the call.
That contrast speaks volumes about the way power structures have always worked to protect the fortunate while sacrificing the less privileged. Your analysis not only deepens the understanding of this iconic protest song, but also invites us to reflect on how far we’ve come—and how much work is still left to do.
The connections you make between the lyrics and broader historical and social context, like the burning of draft cards and the ultimate sacrifice of war, make this song even more impactful. Thank you for sharing this insightful commentary and for bringing such an important piece of history to light in such a meaningful way.
Looking forward to the next song analysis you’ll bring to life!
Wow, thanks for that. I turned 18 in 1969 and to this day I have never played the lottery. My draft lottery number was 272 and I figured what are the odds of winning the lottery two times in one’s life? And, my prize, was probably my life. My Dad was a 30 year Navy man, a Senior Chief Medical Corpsman, infectious disease specialist, we got all our vaccines sitting on the couch at home. In 1966 we moved from Virginia to Napa Valley where my Mom’s people are from for her health. In order to do so, my Dad had to take a tour on an aircraft carrier and did two tours off the coast of Vietnam as, among other things , a flight deck medic pulling wounded pilots out of planes. He told me: “Don’t go into the military unless you have to, it’s a hard life.” It was his way out of rural poverty in Alabama. He was a very peaceful man and when he came home from Vietnam they were paid what was known as “Hazarous Duty Pay.” He would throw the check on the table and say: “Here’s the blood money.”
Sorry to be lengthy, but we were young semi-hippie kids, in The City every weekend at the Fillmore, Winterland, Avalon ballrooms and little clubs where I was so close to Van Morrison that he shook my hand. Great music days..
Thank you for this poignant story, James. Your father was a god-send to those pilots. He knew the horror of it all. And you got to experience the IN-crowd in S.F.! Here's a group that played the Avalon back then: https://louisehaynes.substack.com/p/what-about-me
One of my favorites, saw them many times. A good friend moved to Costa Rica a few years ago and gave me a bunch of his rock posters and my den is full of them. I’ll get some pix of them.
For your song collection: Dan Bern, he is on Substack, “It’s My Country Too”. “I pay my taxes, vote on election day, I stop at stop signs just like you.”
I have added it to the queue! It's a good song. I might try to contact him and ask for a short interview. I like to do that from time to time when I can find the songwriters. Thank you for the lead, James.
Here is an obscure “Cult Classic” from 1970, Bad Rice by Ron Nagle. Ry Cooder on a couple of cuts, produced by Jack Nitzsche and Tom Donahue of radio station KSAN. Every song a hit, especially “Marijuana Hell” “Dolores” “That’s what friend are for” (which is about his friendship with Nitzsche) We waited like 40 years for it to be released on CD and my good friend and veteran music industry writer Gene Sculatti (Warner Bros, Creem Magazine) wrote the liner notes for it. I used to roadie for a local band he managed in the 70’s.
Ron is a world renowned abstract ceramic artist, was a professor of it at Mills College. He also ahd a band called The Durocs with Scott Matthews that had a minor FM hit “Savin’ It All Up For Larry.” His other albums like “She Lies” are available at ronnaglemusic.com. I also bought one of his ceramic pieces until I found out it was $22,000
Creedence open the eyes of a lot of people with that simple song. I started in a military college but when it came time for the physical, I had injured my knee playing football and got cut so I went back to Arkansas. Some of my friends went to Nam and like one of them told me a few years ago "I still feel I am still in the rice patty".
Here is one to look up for current events: Graham Parker’s “Dark Days” from “Deep Cut To Nowhere:” “India and Pakistan start talkin’ trash, in these dark days.”
Thanks for this suggestion. I hadn't heard this before. Have added it to the queue. That line, "The earth just tilted on its axis", refers to the earthquake here in Japan on 11 March 2011. I'll never forget that week!
He is one of my favorite artists that few people know. Got me through a lot of bad times. A few to sample: Stick to Me, Don’t Ask Me Questions, I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, Syphilis and Religion (“Two things you could probably do without,”). And…here’s one just for you: “Discovering Japan.”
My friend was a Chef in The City and would trade food for signed posters. Randy Tuten is pretty well known and this is one of his done in the style of Rick Griffin, who did the Murph The Surf cartoons for Surfer magazines. Made me think of the underground comics you like Robert Crumb?
Although not idyllic for so many, there were a lot of good things about that era; people banding together to say "NO", people desiring a cleaner environment, moving toward a more just society. Those values are still with us, Diana, and we have to keep fighting to preserve them. ☮️
This song has so many connections for me Louise, non, sadly, have anything to do with the meaning as you can probably imagine and when I finally took the time to understand the song made me cry... it still does. As do any songs that speak of war and the heartbreaking losses caused them...
There have been huge protests in France this week against Macrons suggested peace keeping force joining with Germany, so many people understand the peace keeping is not what it seems. 😔
Susie, songs from the past have special meanings for a lot of us. I bet you can still recall scenes, sounds, and who you were with when you listened, as do I.
I remember that era through the eyes of a young teenager, not really understanding society yet. Now, I see that folks were fighting back against an unjust system and antiquated concepts and values. As we did in 1968, we're going through this again - worldwide, aren't we.
I loved this song for a long time before I even understood what it meant. I love this explanation and history in the lyrics!
I didn’t think too deeply about the lyrics either when I heard it on the radio as a kid. Once we really “tune in”, the message becomes a lot clearer. Thanks for the restack, Reda. x
Louise,
I love how you’ve broken down "Fortunate Son" and the powerful messages woven into its lyrics. The song captures so much of the disillusionment and injustice felt during the Vietnam War era, and your interpretation really brings that out clearly. The way the song critiques both the system of the draft and the inequality it perpetuated is still so relevant today, and your thoughtful analysis of each line helps illuminate the layers of protest and resistance within it.
I appreciate how you tie in the concept of privilege, with those who could defer military service using their wealth and connections, versus those who had no choice but to answer the call.
That contrast speaks volumes about the way power structures have always worked to protect the fortunate while sacrificing the less privileged. Your analysis not only deepens the understanding of this iconic protest song, but also invites us to reflect on how far we’ve come—and how much work is still left to do.
The connections you make between the lyrics and broader historical and social context, like the burning of draft cards and the ultimate sacrifice of war, make this song even more impactful. Thank you for sharing this insightful commentary and for bringing such an important piece of history to light in such a meaningful way.
Looking forward to the next song analysis you’ll bring to life!
Wow, thanks for that. I turned 18 in 1969 and to this day I have never played the lottery. My draft lottery number was 272 and I figured what are the odds of winning the lottery two times in one’s life? And, my prize, was probably my life. My Dad was a 30 year Navy man, a Senior Chief Medical Corpsman, infectious disease specialist, we got all our vaccines sitting on the couch at home. In 1966 we moved from Virginia to Napa Valley where my Mom’s people are from for her health. In order to do so, my Dad had to take a tour on an aircraft carrier and did two tours off the coast of Vietnam as, among other things , a flight deck medic pulling wounded pilots out of planes. He told me: “Don’t go into the military unless you have to, it’s a hard life.” It was his way out of rural poverty in Alabama. He was a very peaceful man and when he came home from Vietnam they were paid what was known as “Hazarous Duty Pay.” He would throw the check on the table and say: “Here’s the blood money.”
Sorry to be lengthy, but we were young semi-hippie kids, in The City every weekend at the Fillmore, Winterland, Avalon ballrooms and little clubs where I was so close to Van Morrison that he shook my hand. Great music days..
Thank you for this poignant story, James. Your father was a god-send to those pilots. He knew the horror of it all. And you got to experience the IN-crowd in S.F.! Here's a group that played the Avalon back then: https://louisehaynes.substack.com/p/what-about-me
One of my favorites, saw them many times. A good friend moved to Costa Rica a few years ago and gave me a bunch of his rock posters and my den is full of them. I’ll get some pix of them.
For your song collection: Dan Bern, he is on Substack, “It’s My Country Too”. “I pay my taxes, vote on election day, I stop at stop signs just like you.”
I have added it to the queue! It's a good song. I might try to contact him and ask for a short interview. I like to do that from time to time when I can find the songwriters. Thank you for the lead, James.
Look up “President” too
Just had a listen. Good one!
I assume you covered Country Joes “Fish Cheer” at one point.
It’s in the queue!
Here is an obscure “Cult Classic” from 1970, Bad Rice by Ron Nagle. Ry Cooder on a couple of cuts, produced by Jack Nitzsche and Tom Donahue of radio station KSAN. Every song a hit, especially “Marijuana Hell” “Dolores” “That’s what friend are for” (which is about his friendship with Nitzsche) We waited like 40 years for it to be released on CD and my good friend and veteran music industry writer Gene Sculatti (Warner Bros, Creem Magazine) wrote the liner notes for it. I used to roadie for a local band he managed in the 70’s.
Ron is a world renowned abstract ceramic artist, was a professor of it at Mills College. He also ahd a band called The Durocs with Scott Matthews that had a minor FM hit “Savin’ It All Up For Larry.” His other albums like “She Lies” are available at ronnaglemusic.com. I also bought one of his ceramic pieces until I found out it was $22,000
Creedence open the eyes of a lot of people with that simple song. I started in a military college but when it came time for the physical, I had injured my knee playing football and got cut so I went back to Arkansas. Some of my friends went to Nam and like one of them told me a few years ago "I still feel I am still in the rice patty".
Here is one to look up for current events: Graham Parker’s “Dark Days” from “Deep Cut To Nowhere:” “India and Pakistan start talkin’ trash, in these dark days.”
Thanks for this suggestion. I hadn't heard this before. Have added it to the queue. That line, "The earth just tilted on its axis", refers to the earthquake here in Japan on 11 March 2011. I'll never forget that week!
He is one of my favorite artists that few people know. Got me through a lot of bad times. A few to sample: Stick to Me, Don’t Ask Me Questions, I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, Syphilis and Religion (“Two things you could probably do without,”). And…here’s one just for you: “Discovering Japan.”
My friend was a Chef in The City and would trade food for signed posters. Randy Tuten is pretty well known and this is one of his done in the style of Rick Griffin, who did the Murph The Surf cartoons for Surfer magazines. Made me think of the underground comics you like Robert Crumb?
That's so cool. Fritz the Cat!
I saw "Discovering Japan" when I heard the other song this morning. I'll have to give it a listen and look into more of his music when I get a chance.
CCR were great, and what a time, eh? And how did we go from there to this crazy time? It makes no sense, does it?
Thanks for posting, Louise.
Although not idyllic for so many, there were a lot of good things about that era; people banding together to say "NO", people desiring a cleaner environment, moving toward a more just society. Those values are still with us, Diana, and we have to keep fighting to preserve them. ☮️
And I'm sure we both will, Louise.
This song has so many connections for me Louise, non, sadly, have anything to do with the meaning as you can probably imagine and when I finally took the time to understand the song made me cry... it still does. As do any songs that speak of war and the heartbreaking losses caused them...
There have been huge protests in France this week against Macrons suggested peace keeping force joining with Germany, so many people understand the peace keeping is not what it seems. 😔
Susie, songs from the past have special meanings for a lot of us. I bet you can still recall scenes, sounds, and who you were with when you listened, as do I.
I remember that era through the eyes of a young teenager, not really understanding society yet. Now, I see that folks were fighting back against an unjust system and antiquated concepts and values. As we did in 1968, we're going through this again - worldwide, aren't we.