(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 freedom
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'!)
About This Song
"War" is a powerful anti-war protest anthem that delivers an uncompromising condemnation of armed conflict through its iconic repeated question "What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" Starr's passionate, gospel-influenced vocal delivery transforms the song into a soul-stirring plea for peace, emphasizing war's devastating impact on families and innocent lives. The track features a driving Motown-style arrangement with prominent horns and a relentless rhythm that mirrors the urgency of its message, while Starr's raw, emotional performance conveys both anger and heartbreak. Released during the height of the Vietnam War in 1970, it became one of the most influential protest songs of its era, reaching #1 on the charts and serving as a rallying cry for the anti-war movement. The song's enduring power lies in its direct, unflinching approach to addressing the human cost of conflict, making it a timeless statement against violence and war.
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