Edwin Starr was singing about Vietnam, but the sentiment still stands today: “War is an enemy to all mankind.” Still regarded as one of most popular and powerful protest songs ever, “War” hit No. 1 in 1970, forever to be remembered for its emphatic lyric – “War. Huh. Good God, y’all. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”

The song was originally recorded by The Temptations for Motown but recast as a single by soul star Edwin Starr, including lines, equally poignant and angry, like “Oh, war I despise/ ‘Cause it means destruction of innocent lives” and “War, it ain’t nothin’ but a heartbreaker/ War, friend only to the undertaker.”

Even after the conflict in Vietnam ended, Starr, whose performance earned him a Grammy (Best R&B Vocal Performance), sang the song for years – this version performed on British TV in 2001. It has been recorded and performed by many, such as Bruce Springsteen, and notably became a hit for Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1984.

Unfortunately, Starr isn’t around today to aim his verbal bullets at Vladimir Putin, having died of a heart attack in 2003.

Nevertheless, the message sadly remains as valid today as ever. Sing it again, y’all.

Lyrics

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Ah, ha, ha, ha

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Sing it again, y’all

War, huh
(Huh, look out)
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 mothers’ eyes
When their sons go out 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, huh
(Woh, woh woh Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain’t nothin’ but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker

Ah, war is 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?

Ahh, war, huh
(Good God, y’all)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it

War, huh
(Ah ha yeah, huh)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain’t nothin’ but a heartbreaker
War, it got one friend, that’s the undertaker

Ah, 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

Ahh, war, huh
(Good God y’all)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again

War, huh
(Woh woh woh, Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain’t nothin’ but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker, oh

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 gotta be a better way

Ahh, war huh
(Good God y’all)
What is it good for?
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it

War, huh
(Good God y’all)
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it, nothing
War, huh
(It ain’t nothin’ but a heartbreaker)