What are some great anti-war songs in your opinion?

Question

I don't mean all this new crap...I mean real meaningful music from 60's-70's... Which artists do you find moving?

Here is my list so far:
Janis Joplin-She wasn't really an anti-war protestor, but she did sing to people to stand up for what they believe in and dare to be different...
Country Joe & the fish- this group was amazing. Fish cheer is fun and meaningful...a great anti-war song
John Lennon- He truly is my idol. Janis Joplin kicks *** and she is one of my idols, but John Lennon is so inspirational. It was after listening to his "Give peace a chance" that I actually got off my butt and went downtown to protest for peace...of course pot was involved...

well that's all I can think of right now...what other anti-war protest songs are good?

Answer 1

These are few lesser known ones:

Deja Vu All Over Again - John Fogerty (It was released in 2003, but Fogerty was the leader of CCR, an influential 60's band).

Perfection - Badfinger (I don't think many people have heard this song, but it is terrific, probably the best anti-war song I've ever heard).

Some Mother's Son - The Kinks (Great song).

Soldier Of Plenty - Jackson Browne

Billy Don't Be A Hero - Paper Lace

It's A Mistake - Men At Work (It really is a good song, most people only know MAW for "Down Under", or "Who Can It Be Now?").

When The Tigers Broke Free - Pink Floyd (Actually, the entire Final Cut album is a pretty powerful anti-war statement).

Answer 2

Wow,..there are so many..I'll just give you my favorites..
THE Archetypal anti-war song surprisingly, is by Donovan...
I'll just elucidate and quote"

Universal Soldier

He's five foot two,and he's six feet four
He fights with missles and with spears
He's all of 31 and he's only 17
Been a soldier for a thousand years

He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jane
A Buhddist and a Baptist and a Jew
And he knows he shouldn't kill
And he knows he always will
Kill you for me my friend, and me for you.

And he's fighting for Canada, He's fighting for France
He's fighting for the USA
and he's fighting for the Russians and he's fighting for Japan
And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way.

And he's fighting for Democracy,
He's fighting for the Reds
He says it's for the peace of all
He's the one who will decide who's to live and who's to die,
And he never see the writing on the wall

But without him how could Hitler have
condemned them at Dachau
Without him, Caesar would've stood alone
He's the one who gives his body as a weapon of the war
And without him all this killing can't go on

He's the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame
His Orders come from far away no more
They come from here and there and you and me,
and brothers, can't you see
This is NOT the way to put the end to War?


that's the cherry bomb of the anti-war songs. It might make you a fan of Donovan...way better than that "Mellow Yellow"...however there's just one I like even better...

"Is there anybody Here?" by Phil Ochs..Phil made a career
out of asking hard questions that made you uncomfortable.
I think those "found hung from a door" suicides are always questionable. That's how Phil ended up. He had an FBI file thicker than John Lennons.

A little quote from my personal fave by Phil...

"Is there anybody here who thinks that following the orders takes away the blame?
Is there anybody here who wouldn't mind a murder by another name?
Is there anybody with Glory in their eye, loyal to the end,
Whose duty is to die?
I wanna see him
I wanna wish him luck
I wanna shake his hand
Wanna call his name , Put a medal on the man..."

That, and a dozen more sarcastic brilliant upsetters
are found on his album "Phil Ochs in Concert"
His voice won't charm you, but you'll be seduced by the lyrics.
Peace ,Brother!

Answer 3

If any song ever expressed the cruelty and heartbreak of war, this one did.


Till We Meet Again

There's a song in the land of the lily,
Each sweetheart has heard with a sigh.
Over high garden walls this sweet echo falls
As a soldier boy whispers goodbye:

Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu
When the clouds roll by I'll come to you.
Then the skies will seem more blue,
Down in Lover's Lane, my dearie.

Wedding bells will ring so merrily
Ev'ry tear will be a memory.
So wait and pray each night for me
Till we meet again.

Tho' goodbye means the birth of a tear drop,
Hello means the birth of a smile.
And the smile will erase the tear blighting trace,
When we meet in the after awhile.

Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu
When the clouds roll by I'll come to you
Then the skies will seem more blue
Down in Lover's Lane, my dearie,

Wedding bells will ring so merrily
Ev'ry tear will be a memory
So wait and pray each night for me
Till we meet again.

Answer 4

Buffalo Springfield - For What its Worth
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.
CCR - Fortunate Son
Black Sabbath - War Pigs
GnR - Civil War

Answer 5

i know you have john lennon on there already but "imagine" is another great one.

bob dylan -blowing in the wind.
REM - its the end of the world as we know it.
Coven?(i think thats right?)- one tin soldier
Bob Marley- Get up, stand up.
Joe McDonald- I feel like i'm a fixin to die.
the byrds- turn, turn turn
eric bogle, or The Pogues- and the band played waltzing matilda

hope this helps!

Answer 6

WAR! what is it good for?
and
i for got the name but it says what a field day for the heat a thousand people in the street singing songs and their carrying signs mostly say hurray for our side are getting so much resistance from behind. wait is that an anti war song now i question this hhhmmm...

Answer 7

Creedence with "Fortunate Son"
CSN&Y with "Ohio"
Jefferson Airplane with "Volunteers"
Certainly County Joe, but don't sell short "The Bomb Song"
I'll even throw in Eric Burdon with "Sky Pilot"

Answer 8

I like the song "Christmas in the Trenches." I also like "El Salvador" by Peter, Paul and Mary. That's a really powerful song.

Answer 9

Good News Week - Hedgehoppers Anonymous

I suppose it kinda sounds like a silly song, but it's really really good.

Answer 10

"When Ya Get Drafted" by the Dead Kennedys
"Draft Resistor" by Steppenwolf
"Volunteers" by the Jefferson Airplane"
"John Wayne was a Nazi" by M.D.C.
"American Waste" by Black Flag

....many more ~!