"WAR" by Edwin STARR: the best protest song!

PROTEST SONG: « WAR »

singing by Edwin Starr

       

      Edwin Starr becomes a great artist soul which transcends all generations thanks to the greatest hit of his career: « War ». This song was written in 1970, by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown label. Whitfield first produced this song with the Temptations as the original vocalists. Whitfield re-recorded the song with Edwin Starr as the vocalist, with the label deciding to preserve the Temptations' version from single release so as not to alienate their more conservative fans... Starr's version of « war » isn't only the most successful and well-known record of his career, but it is also one of the most popular protest songs ever recorded !

        This song denounces the war, in particular the one of Viêt Nam war, summarized by its chorus: "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!"  "War" delivers a pro-peace message over a repeated rythm, like "hup, two, three, four' . It highlights at the same time the destructive side of the war and the barbarism and brutality which it reflects. Indeed, we can see on the lyrics, the war kills “innocent lives “, overcomes by grief the “thousands of mothers eyes when their sons go to fight and lose their life” and crushes « many a young man’s dreams »… Indeed, this song denounces also the false promises given by the government to encourage the young men to fight in Vietnam. “They say we must fight to keep your freedom”, but… “The war has shattered many a young man dreams” . It makes also a broader statement of the need for harmony in our everyday lives: “Peace Love and Understanding, Tell me, is there no place for them today?” This version of “War” was dramatic and intense, depicting the general anger and distaste the anti-war movement towards the Vietnam War. This message has very deeply permeated the heart of American people, in agreement with growing opposition to the Vietnam’s war.

   “War” has been realized during the conflicts of the cold war, and in particular, during the Viêt Nam War. At first, this conflict begins in 1955, by the opposition between two Viêt Nam: first to North Vietnam, supported materially from the Eastern Bloc and China, and also the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), supported by the military army of United States (the western bloc). Confronted at the communist expansionism in Southeast Asia, in 1965, the United States committed in the conflict. The United States army sends in almost a half-million soldiers who, aided by their modern weaponry, hope to bring peace to Southeast Asia. But despite their technological superiority, the American leads a terrible and murderous war in Vietnam. The American soldiers undergo the guerrilla warfares, the grounds are unknown, the fights are rough and the civilians are also massacred… The American population receives the war’s images. The public opinion disapproves of the United States intervention and denounces the brutality of the war. These protests movements are supported by several artists and singers like “War” singing by Edwin Starr, to fight for the peace. From 1969, Nixon reduces the soldiers’ strength and replaces them by the material. At last, the Vietnam’s War ends with the signature of the agreements of the peace, in January 1973.

"A little girl vietnamese goes out of a cloud of flames and black smokes".Phography taken by Nick Ut (American journalist) during the Vietnam War (June, 8th 1972)

                                                                                                                           AUDEGUY M.

                                                                                                                                         XOXO