WAR

War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
War is something that I despise
For it means destruction of innocent lives
For it means tears in thousands of mothers' eyes
When their sons go out to fight to give their lives

War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing

War
It's nothing but a heartbreaker
War
Friend only to the undertaker
War is the enemy of all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
Handed down from generation to generation
Induction destruction
Who wants to die

War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing

War has shattered many young men's dreams
Made them disabled bitter and mean
Life is too precious to be fighting wars each day
War can't give life it can only take it away

War
It's nothing but a heartbreaker
War
Friend only to the undertaker
Peace love and understanding
There must be some place for these things today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord there's gotta be a better way
That's better than
War

War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing

(Barret Strong / Norman Whitfield / Edwin Star). This anti-war chant was written by Edwin Starr. Performed in the Born In The USA, Tunnel Of Love Express, and Human Rights Now! tours, and once during the Reunion tour on 16 May 1999 in Birmingham with Edwin Starr.

Edwin Starr is the man who originally took that song to the top of the charts: number one single in 1970. Starr lived in England in his later years, where he joined Bruce Springsteen onstage on 16 May 1999 in Birmingham, for the only performance of WAR on the E Street Band's Reunion tour. He died in his home on Wednesday, 02 Apr 2003 at the age of 61.

Bruce's version that was released on Live 1975-85 is the one that was played on 30 Sep 1985 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. It was also released on singles in 1986 with MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY (28 Dec 1980), MY HOMETOWN, SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN (12 Dec 1975), INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (29 Dec 1980), and some others on a 12" promo single in 1987.