Oh no-there's got to be a better way
Say it again
There's got to be a better way-yeah
What is it good for?
War has caused unrest
Among the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die?
War-huh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War-huh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Yeah
War-I despise
'Cause it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers how
When their sons go off to fight
And lose their lives
I said
War-huh
It's an enemy of all mankind
No point of war
'Cause you're a man
War has caused unrest
Among the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die?
Give it to me one time-now
Give it to me one time-now
War has shattered
Many young men's dreams
We've got no place for it today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord, there's just got to be a better way
It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War
Friend only to the undertaker
War
War
War-good God, now
Now
Give it to me one time now
Now now
What is it good for?



Lyrics submitted by Hype3001

Track duration: 03:23

"War" as written by Barrett Strong, Norman J. Whitfield

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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War song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Who the hell did the lyrics for this? They're a;; screwed up.

    This song is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago...
    Flagged kdryanon January 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song was never about the "vietnam war" he told the brittish newspaper the voice in 2001
    It was just about the neighbourhood wars and the racial wars that were going on inside america at the time>>>>>> he said the true meanign was lost over time.
  • 0
    General Comment:Though war isn't always the answer nor is it just and moral there are times when war is really inevitable, such as WWII. It would be naïve to say that WWII could have been resolved with diplomacy, while some other wars were and still are immoral such as the civil war still raging in Myanmar.

    Nevertheless don't hate the soldiers, they are doing what they believe is right. The point is they DO something.

    These are my views on the matter as my grandfather is a veteran of Winter War, Continuation War and Lapland War.

    Now, great song:)
    Flag laldemaron July 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel like all War is about is greed and taking over other Countries natural resources these day's, while putting the ideology out there that dying for your Country means something and that it's for a cause (Patriotic) when really it's just the elite playing a game with peoples lives.

    This is a protest song about the Vietnam war, although it makes a broader statement of the need for harmony in our everyday lives. This 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.

    Jesse Ventura made a great quote one time, he said that everybody that is pro war in politics should have to nominate somebody from within their family to go to war, and everybody should have to pay a war tax and also bring back the draft.....Then maybe more people will wake up, like they did when this song came out.
    Flag AbsentMindedon July 14, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Oh, war has shattered many 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

    Excellent lyrics, they really just send chills down my spine.
    Flag degree7on September 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song, i remember it from rush hour lol...isn't it 'your, war' what is it good for'? :P love it!
    Flag Freakaknighton September 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Excellently put Timec
    Flag Nox_Nictison April 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:No one has to fight for their freedom. There IS another way. And the more people refuse to go to war, the better off humanity will be. I take my hat off to all of those brave souls who refuse to participate in the conflicts of the nations. Those who realize that there is a better way, that war is not inevitable, and that there is no such thing as a "just war." Violence only perpetuates violence. A nation founded by bloodshed only guarantees the continuation of warfare - until enough brave souls stand up and refuse to participate.

    I'm reminded of a quote: "When you kill a man to defend an idea, you don't defend an idea. You kill a man." Whether that idea is freedom, democracy, or anything else, it's true. You cannot justify the murder of another individual, and there is ALWAYS another way to stop tyranny. The alternative often seems more difficult - but it's worth it. Contrary to popular perception, pacifism is the harder route - but it's also the far more humane, and moral. And just.

    Anyways -

    This is an absolutely fantastic song, and one of my favorite of all protest/anti-war songs. And unlike some of the songs from the Vietnam era, this is absolutely timeless. I also really like the versions by The Temptations and Bruce Springsteen.
    Flagged Timecon March 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:you guys obviously havent seen rush hour....
    Flagged BigBellysKillon August 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause

    while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.
    Flag kairama15on July 07, 2007   Link

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