The performance of an iconic Vietnam War-era anthem at a Veterans Day concert spawned a considerable reaction, so it’s only fitting to actually get a response from the guy who wrote the song.
In a statement to Rolling Stone magazine on Thursday, Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty said he’s “proud” that “Fortunate Son” still strikes a chord with audiences today, but the song often gets appropriated by “various factions wishing to make their own case.”
Bruce Springsteen and a group of other popular musicians performed the song on Tuesday at the “Concert for Valor,” a musical event organized by HBO to honor veterans.
The performance struck many conservatives as inappropriate for the setting, but Fogerty seemed to push back against the notion that the song is disrespectful to the troops.
“Years ago, an ultraconservative administration tried to paint anyone who questioned its policies as ‘un-American,'” Forgerty, who was drafted for the Vietnam War, said in the statement. “That same administration shamefully ignored and mistreated the soldiers returning from Vietnam. As a man who was drafted and served his country during those times, I have ultimate respect for the men and women who protect us today and demand that they receive the respect that they deserve.”
Bruce should put it out as a single and record Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin-To-Die Rag as the B-Side. These paper tigers need to leave Bruce alone; we don’t tell Charlie Daniels or Toby Keith what to sing.
They didn’t like it because it’s true and it hurt they little fee fees.
The song is actually more relevant today than when it was written, especially the second verse. Tax cheats were prevalent back then but no where near where they are today. GE makes billions off of war but miraculously pays little or no taxes. It ain’t me indeed.
I did my time in Vietnam…and as I remember it anti-war songs were very popular. Do the phony “patriot” draft dodging assholes think folks like being in the arm pit of the world watching their buddies die?
No veteran needs anyone to speak for him. I can do that for myself. Fuck you very much.
I wish I could have told John Ashcroft what not to sing…