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About This Track
“War” is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label in 1969. Whitfield first produced the song — a blatant anti-Vietnam War protest — with The Temptations as the original vocalists. After Motown began receiving repeated requests to release “War” as a single, Whitfield re-recorded the song with Edwin Starr as the vocalist, deciding to withhold the Temptations’ version so as not to alienate their more conservative fans.
Starr’s version of “War” was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970, and is not only the most successful and well-known record of his career, but is also one of the most popular protest songs ever recorded.
Edwin Starr, who had become a Motown artist in 1968 after his former label, Ric-Tic, was purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr., became “War’s” new vocalist. Considered among Motown’s “second-string” acts, Starr had only one major hit, 1968’s number-six hit “Twenty-Five Miles”, to his name by this time.
He heard about the conflict surrounding the debate of whether or not to release “War,” and volunteered to re-record it. Whitfield re-created the song to match Starr’s James Brown-influenced soul shout: the single version of “War” was dramatic and intense, depicting the general anger and distaste the antiwar movement felt towards the war in Vietnam. Unlike the Temptations’ original, Starr’s “War” was a full-scale Whitfield production, with prominent electric guitar lines, clavinets, a heavily syncopated rhythm accented by a horn section, and with Whitfield’s new act The Undisputed Truth on backing vocals.
Edwin Starr, who had become a Motown artist in 1968 after his former label, Ric-Tic, was purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr., became “War’s” new vocalist. Considered among Motown’s “second-string” acts, Starr had only one major hit, 1968’s number-six hit “Twenty-Five Miles”, to his name by this time.
He heard about the conflict surrounding the debate of whether or not to release “War,” and volunteered to re-record it. Whitfield re-created the song to match Starr’s James Brown-influenced soul shout: the single version of “War” was dramatic and intense, depicting the general anger and distaste the antiwar movement felt towards the war in Vietnam. Unlike the Temptations’ original, Starr’s “War” was a full-scale Whitfield production, with prominent electric guitar lines, clavinets, a heavily syncopated rhythm accented by a horn section, and with Whitfield’s new act The Undisputed Truth on backing vocals.
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Albums featuring this track
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War & Peace
Edwin Starr
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Motown 50
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The Very Best Of Edwin Starr
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Shouts
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happy2befree wrote:
FRIEND ONLY TO THE UNDERTAKER
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maccadoo13 wrote:
Blind Soul comes out and joins the unguided fools to be cool. Can you dig it?
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BJHaire wrote:
Gotcha sucka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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abdul-wali wrote:
THE BEST OF THING ARE NEVER OUT DATED
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malyfyx wrote:
ABSOLUTELY NOTHIN
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bojay wrote:
Stands the test of time....
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Kriztone wrote:
Rush hour
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tnn221 wrote:
If you like this song and other songs from the 60's and 70's check out my play list called "60's and 70's" or my radio station called "vietnam era radio'
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guilherme1498 wrote:
lol memories of bfvietnam..
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Ariues2 wrote:
especially when we go to war based on public opinion!
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meTheeElizabeth wrote:
One kick a-- classic!
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DomoGod93 wrote:
This Song is Awesome but there is no need for war people should just be peacful the world would get on fine-war what is it good for -absoulety nothing
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FR4TRICIDE wrote:
WAR what is good for? nothing
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noiresque wrote:
War! What is it good for ? America's "defense" industry. [3]
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CynthiaRene wrote:
telling the truth!
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granpubah wrote:
I saw Edwin. Good God, This sucker put on a show. RIP, ES
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ravenpryde wrote:
man that cat can really scream :)
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Noddy-of-the-A5 wrote:
lets have some ! Edwin at his best !
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msboss920 wrote:
:)
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Novobranec wrote:
This song should be UN hymn. Maybe then they won't forget.=)
Track Stats
715,514 Scrobbles
193,260 Listeners
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Recent Activity
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MikesDmusic added War to MikesDmusic’s library. 57 minutes ago
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alyg55, RAYDA1, ENZO_- and 4 other people loved Edwin Starr – War. yesterday evening
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AlvinShort added War to AlvinShort’s library. yesterday morning
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flammeimwind333 and martinNaniRonal loved Edwin Starr – War. Friday evening
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alexbecht, blugeco, hbalck and 2 other people loved Edwin Starr – War. Friday afternoon
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SprittyG added War to SprittyG’s library. Thursday evening
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SprittyG added War to the playlist Soul & Funk. Thursday evening
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maybeae, suiteprincess, crossface77 and 13 other people loved Edwin Starr – War. Thursday afternoon
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fancykatya tagged Edwin Starr – War with 70s, motown, funk and one other tag. Monday afternoon
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