One of the band’s biggest hits has already been used in a campaign by the president of the United States, but creator alerts to the real meaning of the lyrics
A song is used in campaign and rallies by a president of United States. However, the letter criticizes all that it represents: the policy of the Republican Party, the wars perpetrated by the country and the social and military injustices lived by the American population. It is the great contradiction that leaves John Fogerty Auded to see Donald Trump making use of “Fortunate Son”one of the biggest hits in Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Author of the song, Fogerty says Trump simply understood everything wrong about the message contained in “Fortunate Son”. In an interview with Volture (via Classic Rock), the leader of CCR comments mockingly:
“I can’t imagine using this song as a political campaign theme, especially when you seem to be the person about who I’m screaming in music in every respect. It’s hilarious to me. Is I understand it wrong, who knows?”
Released in 1969, on the album WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS, “Fortunate Son” became a protest anthem against Vietnam War and a music symbol of counterculture in the late 1960s. At the time, it was absorbed by opposition movements to the president Richard Nixon and packed the struggle for civil rights in the US.
Fogerty criticizes Trump and contextualizes the composition:
“He is using my words and voice to convey a message that I do not support. I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was outraged that some people could be excluded from the service to our country because they have access to political and financial privileges. I also wrote about rich people who do not pay their fair part.
John Fogerty says confusion “has happened before”
Instead that he exalts the war, arms and patriotic spirit of the United States Army, Fogerty explains that the letter is precisely an acidic criticism of only young people from lower classes being sent to Vietnam.
“It has happened before, when people thought it was a patriotic song to shake the flag and everything, without really understanding cynicism and the absolute rebellion I had in the music. I mean, even if you don’t hear the rest, you should at least hear, ‘It’s not me, I’m not a fortunate child.” But if you don’t hear, I think you can see music differently. “
He adds:
“This is misunderstood by a small percentage of people – people who seem to be conservative, right -wing and probably republican or some other ‘ism’ in this category. And especially by Mr. Trump.”
One of the best protest songs
Recently, the Rolling Stone USA put “Fortunate Son” in 13th position in your list that elected the 100 best protest songs of all time. The text states:
“The Vietnam War was in full swing when Creedence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty sat on the edge of the bed and wrote this furious hymn about how the elites were perpetuating war while guaranteed that their own families had not to share the sacrifice. David Eisenhower -grandson of the former president Dwight D. Eisenhower and husband of the president’s daughter Richard Nixon, Julie “That never came close to the battlefield, even though they are at the best age for recruitment.” Music gained a renewed meaning in 2003, when the president George W. BushThe ‘fortunate son’ par excellence led the country to a useless war in Iraq. Fogerty actively campaigned for John Kerry on the tour VOTE FOR CHANGE 2004, presenting an inflamed version of music with Bruce Springsteen and the And street band. “
+++ Read more: Creedence’s hit that leaves John Fogerty dissatisfied to this day
+++ Read more: the surprising meaning of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
+++ Read more: from ‘Blowin’ in the Wind ‘to’ Spanish Bombs’: Remember 5 songs marked as opposition to wars
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
