Ten Favorite Soldier Songs: Fortunate Son (#8)

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Thanks to @TRBRocks420 and his list of favorite "patriotic songs" for the 4th of July, I'm counting down my favorite "soldier" songs. Here's the next song on the list, and one that takes a little different approach than the first two. #8: Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival This song looks more at the people who were drafted -- and weren't drafted -- during the Vietnam War. Told from the perspective of a man in the Army (John Fogerty did indeed serve in the U.S. Army), this blistering, great rock anthem points the accusatory finger at the politicians who are so quick to put someone else's son in harm's way but are happy to ensure their own family members get deferments. And, although this song came out before the bashlash against the soldiers coming home happened, the chorus's cry of, "It ain't me, it ain't me" can also be said of the troops. As I said yesterday, a lot of these veterans got treated horribly when they came back from Vietnam because the protestors blamed them and not the politicians for the start, escalation, and perpetuation of the war. No soldier ever started a war on his own. That's what politicians do. And, as Fogerty pointed out in this song, they make sure their sons are in some cushy job at the Pentagon, not having Agent Orange sprayed all over them. But that's for another song. Fortunate Son Written by John C. Fogerty Recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival From Willy and the Poor Boys, 1969 They only answer more, more, more!