What Is the Best Anti-War Song?

[Agent Larkin]

Which song that you know of strikes you as the most potent Anti-War song? It can be anything from Oh Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye to Bruce Springsteens Born In The USA or Edwin Starr's War. So please if you have a song you consider to be a good anti-war song post the name of it and why you think it is a good one.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2

Despite the title and the IRA wanting to use it as a song, actually listen to the lyrics. It makes sense to you then

and on that note.... *pumps up Sunday Bloody Sunday on his speakers*

 

[Haydyn]

Anti-war, that might be a tough one. All (or most) of my music tastes involve starting/fighting/ending wars. I guess I could see people lay their guns down dor Stairway to Heaven, but it's not about war. I'll go with American Woman.

 

[Anachronism]

Orange Crush by R.E.M.

Like a lot of their songs, the lyrics don't really make any kind of sense the first time you hear it. But listen to it a few times and you'll begin to get it; the obscurity of the lyrics actually helps make it a better anti-war song. Once you know what it's about, it's genuinely a surprisingly powerful song criticising the Vietnam War.

Plus, it's a great song in its own right, which always helps.

 

[bodyklok]

War... What is it good for? Absolutely nothin.

Can't beat Edwin Starr when it comes to this.

 

[Tehpwnsauce]

War... What is it good for? Absolutely nothin.

Can't beat Edwin Starr when it comes to this.

Ninja'd
Damm you.

 

[Agent Larkin]

My favourite would actually be Paddy's Lamentation it is an American Civil War anti-war song.

 

[Davey Woo]

War! Hurhhhhh! Good God Y'all! What is it good for?

EDIT: Ninja'd =(

Someone had to, I don't actually know who sang it but regardless it's still pretty good.

I also like the Green Day/U2 song that I also can't remember the name of, it's not exactly anti-war but it had a similar message.

 

[Ultress]

I'll go with won't get fooled again because of it's creepy similarities to the Iraq conflict.

 

[Azazcyh]

BYOB is a good one, if not that then war pigs.

 

[Satki]

Run to the Hills?

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

I quite like paint it black. Fantastic song and used in so many shows and movies about vietnam.
Hero of War by rise against isnt bad
As for pro war songs, Ballad of the Green Berets

 

[teisjm]

Hero of War by rise against isnt bad

That was my first thought as well

 

[Arrers]

16 Military Wives by The Decemberists is a good, if oddly happy sounding, anti-war song, but you can't beat War by Edwin Starr. It's very straight to to point with its message.

I'll go with won't get fooled again because of it's creepy similarities to the Iraq conflict.

I always though it was about revolutionary governments.

 

[Zand88]

"Bring on the Lucie (Freeda Peeple)" by John Lennon

Personal favorite is "White People for Peace" by Against Me!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=10297092

And, Goldfinger's cover of "99 Red Balloons". I'm not a big fan of the original, the remake has a nice energy to it.

 

[Ultress]

16 Military Wives by The Decemberists is a good, if oddly happy sounding, anti-war song, but you can't beat War by Edwin Starr. It's very straight to to point with its message.

I'll go with won't get fooled again because of it's creepy similarities to the Iraq conflict.

I always though it was about revolutionary governments.

It is but being the who they don't ever really specify a time peroid for their songs, so they stay relevent no matter what.

 

[Dys]

Run to the Hills?

you seem to be forgetting /thread, gotcha covered though.

I like "now you've got something to die for" by lamb of god as well.

I Was Only 19 - Redgum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urtiyp-G6jY

Also an amazing song.