About The Song
Edwin Starr was a Tennessee singer who gained popularity with a series of garage rock hits on the UK’s Northern Soul circuit. In 1969, Motown signed Starr and found he had a powerful and versatile vocalist at his disposal. One of his songs, “War”, was a major success, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks in August 1970. It’s a protest song that speaks out against the Vietnam War, one of the most controversial and divisive conflicts of the time. Starr admitted that “War” was a challenging song to release, given the politics of the time. However, its initial success can be attributed to its strong message and powerful performance.
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Lyrics
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, uh-huh, uh-huh
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 off 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, huh, whoa-oh-whoa-oh, Lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
War, it ain’t nothing but a heartbreak
War, friend only to the undertaker
Oh, war, is an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest within the younger generation
Induction then destruction, who wants to die?
Oh, war, huh, good god, y’all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it, say it, say it
War, huh, uh-huh, yeah, uh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
War, it ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it got one friend, that’s the undertaker
Oh, war has shattered many a young man’s dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much too 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, huh, whoa-oh-whoa-oh, 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
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, (nothing) say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh, good god, yeah, huh
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it (nothing)