Das Lied "War", geschrieben von Norman Whitfield und Barrett Strong, ist einer der bekanntesten Antikriegssongs.
Das Lied entstand 1969 aus Protest gegen den Vietnamkrieg.
Ursprünglich war das Lied von den beiden Autoren für ihre Stammband, die Temptations, geschrieben worden, die das Lied auch für das Album Psychedelic Shack (1970) aufnahmen.
Obwohl es beim Publikum gut ankam, wollte man mit Rücksicht auf eher konservativ eingestellte Fans den kontroversen Titel nicht als Single veröffentlichen.
Stattdessen machte man sich auf die Suche nach einem anderen Interpreten.
Zum Zuge kam Edwin Starr, der zwei Jahre zuvor bereits einen Top-10-Hit mit Twenty-Five Miles gehabt hatte. Produziert wurde die neue Version von Norman Whitfield.
Nach ihrer Veröffentlichung im Juni 1970 erreichte sie in den USA Platz 1, in Großbritannien Platz 3 und in Deutschland Platz 9.
Lyrics
War, huh, yeah. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing.
War, huh, yeah. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing.
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good god. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing, listen to me.
Oh, war, I despise. Cause it means destruction of innocent lives. War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes. When their sons go to fight. And lose their lives.
I said, war, huh good god, y'all. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing say it again.
War, whoa, lord. 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. Oh, war it's an enemy to all mankind. The point of war blows my mind. War has caused unrest. Within the younger generation. Induction then destruction. Who wants to die, ah, 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 listen to me.
(War) it ain't nothing but a heart breaker. (War) it's got one friend that's the undertaker. Oh, war, has shattered many a young mans dreams. Made him disabled, bitter and mean. Life is much to short and precious. To spend fighting wars these days. War can't give life. It can only take it away.
Oh, war, huh good god y'all. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing say it again.
(War) whoa, lord. 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. Peace, love and understanding. Tell me, is there no place for them today. They say we must fight to keep our freedom. But lord knows there's got to be a better way.
Oh, war, huh good god y'all. What is it good for you tell me. Say it, say it, say it, say it.
(War) huh good god y'all. What is it good for. Stand up and shout it nothing.
