The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Some folks are born
Made to wave the flag,
Oh, they're red, whit and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
They point the cannon right at you.
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.
Some folks are born
Silver spoon in hand,
Lord don't they help themselves.
But when the tax man comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no millionaire's son.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
Some folks inherit
Star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war.
And when you ask them,
"How much should we give?"
They only answer "More! More! More!"
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no military son.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no Fortunate Son.
Made to wave the flag,
Oh, they're red, whit and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
They point the cannon right at you.
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.
Some folks are born
Silver spoon in hand,
Lord don't they help themselves.
But when the tax man comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no millionaire's son.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
Some folks inherit
Star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war.
And when you ask them,
"How much should we give?"
They only answer "More! More! More!"
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no military son.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
It ain't me,
It ain't me.
I ain't no Fortunate Son.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Fortunate Son Lyrics as written by John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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