Below are several topical songs, leading with “War.” A classic song that was written as a protest against the prolonged conflict in Vietnam, it was first recorded by The Temptations in 1970 for an album. The more popular version, however, has been the same-year Edwin Starr‘s. Interestingly, this happened in part because Motown Records, for fear of alienating The Temptations’ more conservative listeners, never released it separately from the album. Instead they had Starr record it as a single.
(War, huh) Yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothin’
Uh-huh, uh-huh…
[Verse 1]
War, I despise
‘Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mothers’ eyes
When their sons go out to fight and lose their lives
I said
(War, huh) Good God, y’all
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothin’…
II. “War” by Edwin Starr (1970)
Starr (1942-2003) could still belt it out in this 2001 recording.
III. “War” covered live by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1985)
Springsteen declares, before the group jumps into a rousing cover, that he grew up in the 1960’s, the era of Vietnam, and this song is “for all the young people out there” who are going to need information for “the next time” because there will be decisions to make. “Because in 1985 blind faith in your leaders, or anything, will get you killed.”
IV. “Masters of War” by Bob Dylan (1963) as sung by Ed Sheeran
V. “Hopeless War” (2024) as performed live in 2026 by Pink and daughter Willow
From the Broadway hit musical “The Outsiders,” about gang conflict, the lyrics from this recent duet is relevant to what’s going on in the Middle East—and everywhere else men start wars.
…One by one, we fall in line
The same mistake a thousand times
Doing what we’ve all been raised to do
Now Johnny’s hurt and Bob has died
When will we be satisfied?…
