Break It Down!
U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War spanned 20 years; from 1955 to 1975.The two decades-long conflict spurred numerous protest songs, none more poignant and in-your-face that the mononymously-titled “War,” a song Norman Whitfield and Barret Strong wrote for the Motown Label in 1969. The song was a clear anti-Vietnam War statement, The Temptations were the original vocalists, But the song, released in 1970, was so popular, the Label received a barrage of requests for it to be released as a single.
Motown deciding to split the baby, opted to have Whitfield produce a version with Charles Edwin Hatcher, commercially known as Edwin Starr, doing the vocals. The Label chose not to release the Temptation’s version as a single because they feared it would alienate the Group’s conservative fan base. Meanwhile, as a single, Starr’s version of War rose to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970. It was not only the most popular song in Starr’s career, but it was also one of the most popular protest songs ever recorded. Over 30 years later, it was one of 161songs on the no-play list issued by Clear Channel following the events of September 11, 2001.
Fast forward another 25 years, and I am offering the song as an anti-ode to the “No New Wars” President. No one could be more deserving.
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, uhh
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 mother’s 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, just say it again
War (whoa), huh (oh Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain’t nothing but a heart-breaker
(War) Friend only to The Undertaker
Oh, war it’s 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 (uh-huh), huh (yeah, huh)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain’t nothing but a heart-breaker
(War) It’s 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 each day
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 (whoa), huh (oh Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain’t nothing but a heart breaker
(War) Friend only to The Undertaker, woo
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 (God y’all)
What is it good for? You tell me (nothing)
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War (good God), huh (now, huh)
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it (nothing)
Not long ago, (June 21, 2025), Donald Trump said the U.S. had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities. Let’s hear it for “Operation Midnight Hammer.” He went on to boast it would take years for them to re-group and make nuclear threats and mischief (and that’s not a quote) again. But wait, merely 8 months later, February 28, 2026, Trump Greenlit “Operation Epic Fury” attacking Iran’s missile infrastructure. The stated objective for this attack was to destroy military capabilities and prevent the development of nuclear weapons. On its face, this would seem odd. But only if you believed the facilities had been “totally obliterated” in June. Just to be clear, I did not believe it for a moment. “War: What Is It Good For?”
I’m done; holla back!
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BREAK IT DOWN! 