Getty Images / Getty Images for Capitol Concert; Mendel NGN / AFP by Getty Images
John Fogarty, author of “Fortune Son,” reacted to a video of President Trump’s recent use of the song at a campaign rally. Getty Images / Getty Images for Capital Concert; Mendel NGN / AFP by Getty Images
- On Thursday, President Trump walked out of Air Force One for the song “Lucky Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival, arriving at a campaign rally in Freeland, Michigan.
- Songwriter John Fogarty reacted to Trump’s use of his song via a Facebook video on Friday.
- “It’s a song I can write right now, so I find it confusing. I would say the president chose to use my song for his political rallies, when in fact, it looks like he’s probably the lucky son,” Fogarty said.
- Other musicians – such as Neil Young, and finally Tom Patty’s family – have criticized the use of his music in Trump-sponsored programs.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump led a campaign rally in Freeland, Michigan, and drew from the 1969 song “Air Force One” for the song “Lucky Son” by Credence Clear Water Revival.
The song refers to wealthy and influential families who were able to get their sons out of the draft of the Vietnam War.
Rock musician John Fogarty, who was a member of the Creedons Clear Water Revival and wrote “Son of Destiny,” shared a video on Facebook on Friday addressing the use of Trump campaign songs.
“Recently the president has been using my song ‘Fortune Son’ for his political rallies, which I find confusing, to say the least,” Fogarty said in the video.
In his video, Fogarty also sheds light on the meaning behind the songs, including:
“Some people give birth to a silver spoon in the hand / God, they don’t help themselves, no” and “It’s not me, it’s not mine / I’m not a millionaire son.”
“I wrote the song back in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War,” Fogarty said. “By the time I wrote the song, I was already drafted and had served in the military.” And I’ve been a lifelong supporter of our guys and gals in the military, probably because of that experience. “
Fogarty went on to say in his video, “In the past, we still had a draft, and what I was very upset about was the fact that privileged people, in other words, rich people or people with positions could use it.” To avoid drafts and not to be taken into the army. I thought it was very sad that such a thing could happen, and that’s why I wrote ‘Lucky son.’
Getty Images / Getty Images for Capitol Concert
Washington D.C. On July 04, 2020 in PBS. But John Fogarty performed “A Capitol IV” for the 40th anniversary. Getty Images / Getty Images for Capitol Concert
He then took note of the opening verses of the song: “Some people are born, making flags / oh to fly, their red, white and blue / and when the band plays ‘Hail to Chief’ / oh, they show you the cannon.”
In his video, Fogarty compared the opening line of “Lucky Son” to Trump and the June demonstration in Washington D.C. with the help of federal forces to remove protesters from Lafayette Square so he could stand in front of St. John’s Church and hold a Bible for the Bible. Photo opportunity.
“It’s a song I can write right now, so I find it confusing. I would say the president chose to use my song for his political rallies, when in fact, it looks like he’s probably the lucky son,” Fogarti concluded the video. Than said.
Other musicians have reacted or criticized the use of their songs in Trump campaign events
In June, the family of late rock musician Tom Patty condemned the explicit use of his iconic song “I Wilt Back Down” at a Trump campaign rally in Tulsa, rock Kalahoma.
Petty’s family tweeted that they were issuing a siege and distist order to the Trump campaign.
Om Tom Petty June 21, 2020
In July, singer-songwriter Neil Young tweeted that he was “not okay” playing his music at Trump’s Independence Day event at Mount Rushmore. Young’s songs “Rockin ‘in the Free World” and “Like a Hurricane” were apparently played at the presidential event.
Since his first presidential campaign, Trump has asked many other musicians to pay attention to the issues with his songs being played in his programs or has issued statements telling the Trump campaign not to use his music.
Gallery: Musicians who banned presidential candidates from using their songs (Entertainment Weekly)
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