Why Can't We Be Friends

War

About Why Can't We Be Friends

"Why Can't We Be Friends?" is a song by the funk band War for their 1975 studio album of the same name. The song has a simple structure, with the phrase "Why can't we be friends?" being sung four times after each two-line verse amounting to over forty times in under four minutes. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1975. The song is unique as various members of the band exchange vocal duties from verse to verse. It was played in outer space when NASA beamed it to the linking of Soviet cosmonauts and U. S. astronauts for the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Billboard ranked it as the No. 23 song of that year. 


Year:
2008
0:48
100 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

I seen ya around for a long long time
I really remember you when you drank my wine

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

I'd seen ya walking down in Chinatown
I called ya but you could not look around

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

I pay my money to the welfare line
I see ya standing in it every time

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

I'd kinda' like to be the president
So I could show you how your money's spent

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

Sometimes I don't speak right
But yet I know what I'm talking about

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

I know you're working for the CIA
They wouldn't have you in the mafia

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


War

War (originally called Eric Burdon and War) is an American funk/rock/soul band from Long Beach, California, known for several hit songs (including "Spill the Wine", "The World Is a Ghetto", "The Cisco Kid", "Why Can't We Be Friends?", "Low Rider", and "Summer"). Formed in 1969, War is a musical crossover band that fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, psychedelia, and reggae. According to music writer Colin Larkin, their "potent fusion of funk, R&B, rock and Latin styles produced a progressive soul sound", while Martin C. Strong calls them "one of the fiercest progressive soul combos of the '70s". Their album The World Is a Ghetto was Billboard… more »

1 fan

Written by: CHARLES MILLER, GERALD GOLDSTEIN, HAROLD BROWN, HOWARD SCOTT, LEE LEVITIN, LONNIE JORDAN, MORRIS DICKERSON, THOMAS ALLEN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Why Can't We Be Friends?" was released in 1975 as a title track of the album with the same name by War.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1975.
Influence on Pop Culture
The song has been covered by numerous artists, and it appeared in numerous films, such as "Lethal Weapon 4" and "Bridge to Terabithia", TV shows, and commercials.
Television Appearances
The song was performed live on the first season of Saturday Night Live in 1975.
Song Duration
Unlike other popular songs, "Why Can't We Be Friends?" has a lengthy run time of over four minutes.
Song Message
The song is known for its simple, direct message advocating peace, love, and understanding among people of all races and backgrounds.
Band Line-Up
At the time this song was released, the band consisted of Lonnie Jordan, Howard Scott, B.B. Dickerson, Harold Brown, Lee Oskar, Charles Miller, and Papa Dee Allen.
Instrumentation
The song features a catchy piano line, harmonica, vast array of percussion instruments, and multiple vocal parts.
Song's Popularity
Despite being released over four decades ago, "Why Can't We Be Friends?" remains one of War's most popular and frequently played songs.
Song Genre
"Why Can't We Be Friends?" is classified as a fusion of Funk, Jazz, Rock, and Soul music, reflecting the band's diverse musical approach.

Discuss the Why Can't We Be Friends Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Why Can't We Be Friends Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/15018690/War/Why+Can%27t+We+Be+Friends>.

    Missing lyrics by War?

    Know any other songs by War? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Why Can't We Be Friends

    628.4K
    16,372     182

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    In most of its career Metallica was based in?
    A San Francisco
    B Los Angeles
    C New York
    D Florida

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    War tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!