Edwin Starr: War (1970)

War (What is it good for?) was an anti-Vietnam War protest song, written by Norman Whitfield and recorded by Whitfield and the Temptations in 1969. It was re-recorded by Motown soul singer Edwin Starr and released as a single in 1970. War became one of the most successful protest songs of the 20th century, holding the number one chart position for three weeks. In the wake of this success Starr used his growing profile to criticise American foreign policy in general and the Vietnam War in particular. Whitfield’s lyrics speak of the dishonest futility of war, calling it “the enemy of all mankind” and a “friend only to the undertaker”. War was later covered and re-released by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984) and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1985).

War… Huh… Yeah! What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
War… Huh… Yeah! What it is good for?
Absolutely nothing! Say it again y’all
War… Huh… Look out! What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing! Listen to me now…

War is something that I despise
‘Cause it means the destruction of innocent lives
War means tears in thousands of mothers’ eyes
When their sons go out to fight and lose their lives

I said War… Huh… Good God y’all! What it is good for?
Absolutely nothing! Say it again
War… Huh! Lord, Lord, Lord…
What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Listen to me:

War! It ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War! Friend only to the undertaker
War is the enemy of all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest within the younger generations
Induction then destruction … who wants to die?

AAH! War… Huh… Good God y’all!
What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!
Say it, say it, say it!
War… Huh…! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

War! It ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War! Got one friend, thats the undertaker
War has shattered many young men’s dreams
Made them disabled, bitter and mean
Life is too precious to spend fighting wars each day
War can’t give life, it can only take it away.

War… Huh… Good God y’all!
What it is a good for? Absolutely nothing!
Say it again
War… Huh… Lord, Lord, Lord…
What it is a good for? Absolutely nothing!
Listen to me

War! It ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War! Friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding.
Tell me, is there a place for these today?
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there’s got to be a better way

War… Huh… Good God y’all!
What is it good for? You tell me!
Say it, say it, say it, say it!
War… Good God now… Huh! What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it … Nothing!


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