War

by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong (1970); performed by Edwin Starr (Charles Edwin Hatcher) with The Funk Brothers band

War h'uh
Yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin uh-huh uh-huh
War h'uh
Yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Say it again y'all
War h'uh
h'uh look out!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Listen to me
Ooh 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 h'uh
Good God y'all!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin' 'gin
Say it again
War whoa h'uh whoa-whoa Lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Listen to me!
War
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker!
War
Friend only to the undertaker
Ooh 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?
Ooh war
Good God h'uh y'all!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Say it, say it, say it
War
Woah-h'uh h'uh yeah uh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Listen to me
War
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
War
It's got one thing
And that's the undertaker
Ooh war
Has shattered many a-young man's dreams
Made him disabled, bitter, and mean
And 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!
H'uh Good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'
Say it again
War
Whoa h'uh whoa-whoa Lord
What is it good for?
A-absolutely nothin'
Listen to me!
War
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
War
Friend only to the undertaker
Woo!
Peace, love, and understanding
Tell me
Is there no place for anything else?
They say we must fight
To keep our freedoms
But Lord knows there's got to be
A better way
Oooh
War
God y'all! uh
What is it good for?
You tell 'em! h'uh
Say it, say it, say it
War
Good God h'uh now h'uh
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it
Nothin'!
War
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
Ooh war