This song, written by Edwin Starr during years of the Vietnam War, is a blatant anti-war protest song. In the lyrics, there are many references to why war is bad. This song is indicative of the sentiment felt in respect to the war in Vietnam.
WAR! Sung by Edwin Starr
Words by Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield
War!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
War!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
War is something that I despise
For it means destruction of innocent lives
For it means tears in thousands of mothers' eyes
When their sons go out to fight to give their lives chorus
War It's nothing but a heartbreaker
War Friend only to the undertaker
War is the enemy of all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
Handed down from generation to generation
Induction destruction
Who wants to die
Chorus
War has shattered many young men's dreams
Made them disabled bitter and mean
Life is too precious to be fighting wars each day
War can't give life it can only take it away
War - It's nothing but a heartbreaker
War - Friend only to the undertaker
Peace love and understanding
There must be some place for these things today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord there's gotta be a better way
That's better than War