War
Edwin Starr
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Oh no-there's got to be a better way Say it again There's got to be a better way-yeah What is it good for? (war) Man has a sense for the discovery of beauty How rich is the world for one who makes you for us to show Beauty must have power over man, war After the end of the war I want to devote myself To my thoughts for five to ten years and to writing them down War has caused unrest among the younger generation Induction then destruction, who wants to die? Wars come and go what remains are only the values of culture Then of course there is revolutionary love Love of comrades fighting for the people and love of people Not an abstract people but people one meets and works with When Che Guevara taught of love being At the center of revolutionary endeavor, he meant both For people like Che or George Jackson or Malcolm X Love was the prime mover of their struggle That love cost them their lives, love coupled with a man's pride Love coupled with a man's pride Give it to you on top, now War, I despise 'cause it means destruction of innocent lives War, means tears to thousands of mothers how When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives I said, war, good god, now, what is it good for? Absolutely, nothing Say it again, war, what is it good for? Absolutely, nothing, listen to me War, it ain't nothing but a heart breaker War, friend only to the undertaker, war (War, war, war, war) War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing Say it, war, good god now, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it, (war) Oh no, there's got to be a better way Say it again, there's got to be a better way Yeah, what is it good for? War, what is it good for?
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Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Song Origin"War" is a song produced by the Motown label, originally written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield for The Temptations.
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Initial ReleaseThe first version of "War" was recorded by The Temptations in 1970 as part of their "Psychedelic Shack" album.
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Second VersionEdwin Starr later recorded the song in that same year, and it became one of his most successful singles.
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Original LyricsThe song's lyrics, penned by Strong and Whitfield, speak directly about the Vietnam war – protesting against it and highlighting its senselessness.
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Chart PositionEdwin Starr's version hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1970, providing a soundtrack to the anti-Vietnam war sentiment of the era.
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Sociopolitical Impact"War" is widely noted for its overt sociopolitical commentary, something that was not common for Motown records. It's one of the few songs from the Motown catalog known for political activism.
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Edwin Starr's VersionStarr's rendition of "War" was more intense than the original Temptations' version. The emotional performance made the song a standout during protests and demonstrations against the Vietnam war.
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Grammy NominationThe song was nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971.
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Notable CoversBruce Springsteen has often covered "War" during his live performances, which further helped popularize the song.
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Song Legacy"War" is widely recognized as one of the most powerful protest songs ever recorded, and remains relevant in popular culture today.
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InfluenceThis song has been sampled by various artists throughout the years, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and The Fall Out Bo
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Addressing ControversyThe controversial subject matter of "War" made some Motown executives reluctant to release it as a single initially.
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Impact on Starr's Career"War" was a turning point in Edwin Starr's career, as it moved his repertoire away from romantic ballads towards more politically-charged material.
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Enduring AppealEven half a century after its initial release, "War" continues to be played on radio and used in movies, testifying to its enduring appeal and timeless message.
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Legacy of WritersThe writing team of Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield produced many other iconic songs for the Motown label, but "War" remains one of their most incendiary and enduring contributions.
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"War Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33687118/Edwin+Starr/War>.
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