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War - Edwin Starr (Various Artists) (1970) 12/18/22

In the late 1960s, several Motown artists started to release protest songs, something that Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. was initially against.


After all, Motown's nickname was "Hitsville, USA," and Berry wanted to keep it that way by steering away from controversy.


But in certain instances, he relented--which paved the way for acts like Marvin Gaye and The Temptations to record and release socially conscious music...to a point.

For example, in 1970, The Temptations released their "Psychedelic Shack" album, which contained the track "War."


Vietnam protestors pretty much lobbied Motown and The Temptations to release "War" as a single because of its hit potential, but Berry was against it, feeling that it would tarnish the group's career trajectory and legacy. (He may have been right.)


Enter Edwin Starr.


Up to that point, Edwin had been a one-hit wonder (1968's Great Song" "25 Miles"), who had come to Motown when Berry bought a small competing Detroit label called Tic-Toc.


As far as Berry was concerned, Edwin didn't have much of a following to offend, so he allowed him to record a cover version of "War" for single release.


What happened next was pretty amazing.


Edwin went into the studio with Motown's house band (The Funk Brothers), and together, they came up with virtually a NEW Motown sound--featuring the psychedelic guitar of Dennis Coffey.


Edwin poured his soul into it...adding some impressive ad-libs and some righteous anger.


When it was released (from the album "War & Peace"), the song immediately climbed into the Top 10 in 6 countries, including (No surprise) #1 in The US and Canada. It also reached #3 on Billboard's Soul Chart.


In 1984, Frankie Goes to Hollywood came up with a disco version that garnered some success, mostly in Europe, and in 1988, Bruce Springsteen released a live version that charted in 12 countries, reaching #8 in the US.


Over the years, "War" has been featured in more than a dozen films and TV shows, and been covered by the likes of The Jam, Joan Osborn and Maria Muldaur.


"War:" a "Great Song of the '70s" by Edwin Starr and The Temptations, and the '80s by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Bruce Springsteen. Enjoy the links below!






Edwin Starr (1968's "25 Miles"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6fTlPnR4g4


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