Australian singles charts:
War entered the Australian singles chart* on 5 October 1970 and peaked at #37. The song re-entered the charts on 21 February 1977 and peaked at #56.
Songwriters:
Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Producer:
Norman Whitfield
Record label of Australian release:
Tamla Motown
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Songfacts:
Motown hitmakers Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote War. This is a protest song about the Vietnam War, although it makes a broader statement of the need for harmony in our everyday lives.
War was one of the first Motown songs to make a political statement. The label had always been focused on making hit songs, but around this time Motown artists like The Temptations and Marvin Gaye started releasing songs with social commentary, many of which were written by Whitfield.
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/edwin-starr/war
Lyrics:
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
Click for full lyrics
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