BEST Anti-War Song EVER?! | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Sadly, this song never seems to become irrelevant. 😢

Probably one of the most un-adulterated and guttural anti-war songs of the Vietnam Era! It really hits you in your core. Great selection A&A.

War can't give life, it can only take it away... That's one of the most badass lines ever in music history. For me, that's the climax of the song and the reason the rest of the song is there for. Just for that line. It incredible

So intense. Edwin Starr was one of the first Motown artists to emote disdain for the Vietnam war. Very relevant.

I’m surprised you haven’t hit this before. When this was released, the war in Vietnam was still raging, American boys drafted against their will, this song was EVERYWHERE. Very important song

This is an example of how music was once made with PASSION, for creativity, a message, a meaning, and pure artistry. So much now is made for commercial success, and celebrity status. Much of the DIGNITY in music has faded away.

The great Edwin Starr! He settled here in the Midlands, UK. One day a local radio station was doing an outside broadcast and Edwin happened to walk past while returning from a shopping trip. He put down his bags, sang a couple of songs, picked up his shopping and went home. 😂 What a top man he was.

I Live in a military town...half the homeless I see are veterans mentally/physically disabled from war....the lyrics are soooo true even today. My pops fought in Vietnam and he loved this song--he was able to recover from what he went through, but many of his freinds were never the same.....

I think “Time Has Come Today” by The Chambers Brothers might hit you in a similar way, even if it’s not an anti-war song, per se.

A lot of anti war songs of this used symbolism and metaphor. Edwin Starr reaches down your throat, grabs hold of your gut and doesn’t let go, amazing

Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire - best anti-war song..1966. Written and sung in the mid 60s but you could swear he was talking about today because its all the same again. Its a timeless song ....for all the wrong reasons.

This song and "Ball of Confusion" by the Temptations, both from 1970, were two of the epic anti war songs. I highly recommend that song too🎼💖 But that song is focused on a lot of society-- and "War" is obviously focused all wars, but primarily Vietnam, which was at its peak. This song is very timely, obviously, especially Russian atrocities in Ukraine.

I've actually met the genius that is Edwin Starr...he was such a down to earth guy..

Your best reaction, ever. Saw this on the black history month show and this will never get old. Best anti war song ever, and need to flood the internet and world with this song right now. Thanks for sharing guys ❤️

My memory of this song goes deep. It was 1970, I remember it blaring through the whole house, my friend and I jumping on the twin beds in my room, to the heavy beat, as my parents sang it at the top of their voices...it was a moment! Had to add that the vibe in that mo ent was exactly how y'all reacted during this song. One of the best Anti-War songs ever written, maybe the best due to the pure passionate performance!

If you want an ultimate anti-war song, particularly Viet Nam era, try the “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag” by Country Joe and the Fish

Edwin Starr came to live in my county of Leicestershire, England. Apparently whenever Motown stars like Diana Ross were over here, they'd visit him and go to his local pub in (I think) Sharnford.

The fact you guys were so emotionally moved by this track makes me appreciate you even more.

For those who like this song, the Temptations' "Ball Of Confusion" is a must. It is also from 1970.

“Good god y’all” - My wrong memory thought this was at the beginning and I wondered if this was a different version, until he finally sang it. Good god y’all! There are so many great anti-war songs. I can’t begin to list them. But, yeah, this one is great.

Excellent song, indeed! Here are two of my fav anti war songs from the 60's: "Sky Pilot" by Eric Burdon and the Animals, and "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire.

"Twenty-Five Miles" was another hit from Edwin!!

The breakdown on the verses are absolutely epic as well as the whole production. Good God y'all this might just be one of the best songs ever recorded not just antiwar. And your reaction just enhanced my love of this. Thanks hot dudes!

This music should be on every radio station and streaming service today.

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Oh I did enjoy watching this one! Husband & I singing to the top of our lungs. We hadn't sung this with so much energy since the 70s. Now you have to do, the best protest song; For Whats Its Worth. Edit- by Buffalo Springfield

For a "War" song, it was also a great dance song truly. S tier all the way for me The best seat dancing you have done yet guys. Entertaining reaction for sure!!! 😊 I'm gonna cry too!!!!

One of Norman Whitfield’s greatest productions. He was a genius.

Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" is my favorite an anti-war song.

One of the groups doing the backing vocals on this track was named The Undisputed Truth, what a badass name and perfect for this tune.

That moment, with Alex's face at about 1:02...Mastercard could NEVER buy an expression that PRICELESS!

"For What It's Worth" - Buffalo Springfield / "All Along the Watchtower" - Jimi Hendrix Experience / "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye / "Masters of War" - Bob Dylan / "Eve of Destruction" - Barry McGuire along with "War"

Remember that part 2 of the Motown themed live stream must include Ball of Confusion - Temptations. Same vibe. Just as much a slapper. Also, not war themed, but mentioned by others, 25 Miles by Edwin Starr is equally good. Bummer we didn't get more from this man. So talented.

We had the best music back then.

Edwin was a hero of mine total legend he was in the marines before becoming a singer he walked the walk and talked the talk a man of wisdom kindness and integrity a idol in northern soul circles in the uk sadly passed in 2003 miss him so much

Another anti-war song : Hendrix's live "Machine Gun" from New Year's Eve [1969/70] - with what is considered by many to be his best guitar solo. (On the Band Of Gypsys album).

Good God y'all - what a great song! Thanks, gents! I enjoyed you groovin' to it!

I was getting close to the age where one registered for the draft... Thoughts of Vietnam and the disproportionate sacrifice of Black, Latino and Poor White communities filled my thoughts. This song was one of MANY that gave voice to our concerns... Music meant something... Thanks A&A!

This song spoke to the anti-war sentiment of the Viet Nam era. We (my hippie generation) Loved this song and the message it had to tell us.

You didn’t officially rate the song- but clearly you both knew it to be S tier without needing to say so out loud! This is the song that changed my little girl pacifist being to a strong big girl pacifist. It gave me strength to stand up to my war-mongering, ranting uncle (I was grounded for two weeks, but it was worth it!).

I can't help thinking of Jackie Chan singing this song on Rush hour!!

Watching you both as you heard this for the first time was epic. I don't think I've ever seen y'all react so enthusiastically to a song before. "Twenty-Five Miles" is another sauce-filled song by Edwin Starr that you'll absolutely love! More of this, please!!! 🤩

Completely memorized every syllable and grunt, horn lick and wahwah stab, just from hearing on the radio hundreds of times in junior high/high school. Our older brothers and fathers were in the jungle, and this screamed 'do something'

I know it's a folk song, but One Tin Soldier is my favorite anti-war song.

This came out in 1970 when I was in Jr High (middle school) I appreciate it more now back then you just listened to it and you like it but as you get older you appreciate the music more. I oe the music I grew up with and so glad this came out when I was growing up.

This song still goes to "11." This is righteously indignant at its best; I'd love for you to check out the most _sarcastic_ anti-war song now: Country Joe and the Fish, "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag." The studio version has the kazoo solo but the Woodstock version is more NSFW.

Other great war songs...."Give Peace A Chance" John Lennon..."Fortunate Son" Creedence Clearwater Revival...."Tin Man" Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young..."For What It's Worth" Buffalo Springfield

Another classic I haven’t seen mentioned yet is “Masters of War” by Dylan and couple of personal favs: “Still In Saigon” by Charlie Daniels and “Lyndon Johnson” by Tom Paxton.

I was watching the Live Stream as it was happening and I was SO happy that you all threw this in.. and was happy to see your reactions to it because this track is absolute fire!

Saw this on the livestream, but had to watch it again, because I was one of those people waiting so long to see your reactions. It's a song that sticks with you: great vocals, great performances all around. And when I finally listened to it through headphones, I noticed how amazing the tambourine is in this.

Tribal anti war song! If a soul doesn’t feel this there’s no hope. It was everywhere,none of our boys were safe and too many 50,000. never came home. God knows how many Southeast Asian souls were lost

You need to check out “Eve of Destruction”, I like that one better

As a little kid, I remember my older sisters putting this song on the stereo as my parents reversed down the driveway. Then all five of us would dance in the living room to all the hits of that time until they returned.

Undoubtedly the BEST anti-war song ever written, an anthem really ♥️

Love to revisit this from time to time.

I love these Live Stream reactions. Yes, this is one of the best anti-war songs E-VAR! ❤❤❤❤❤

The backing band on this song (and most of Edwin Starr's stuff) would become the band known as Rose Royce later in the 1970s. They had the hit song "Car Wash."

The best Anti-war song to play and read the Lyrics at the same time is KUIAMA from Electric Light Orchestra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gBz4VDow3Io.html... The best progressive Rock and a heartbreaking song from 1972. My-my Kuiama, she came in the morning She smiled but the tears on her little face Showed the pain that had been in that far-off place So sad, treated so bad My-my Kuiama, don't break your heart tryin' To say how your ma and your pa' passed away And they left you to wander the ruin and decay Real mean, that bullet machine See here Kuiama, now ten thousand miles Is a long, long way and you're here today And you won't go back so you might say Hello, how do you do? (do) Kuia, stop your cryin', there's no bombs a-fallin' No horsemen in the night a-ridin' through your dreams And tearing at your life (life) Baby goodnight (night) No more silver rain will hit your ground And no more guns will sound And no more life be drowned No more trenches where the soldiers lie And no more people die Beneath that big black sky (sky) Wake up Kuiama, I got somethin' to tell you It's just that I mean, well, that is to say That I'm trying to explain but I'll start again For you, I must be true Kuia, in this country, they got rules with no reason They teach you to kill and they send you away With your gun in your hand, you pick up your pay So cool, that no mercy tool Kuia, please believe me? I just couldn't help myself I wanted to run but they gave me a gun And they told me the duty I owed to my Fatherland I made my stand Kuia, I just shot them, I just blew their heads open And I heard them scream in their agony Kuiama, she waits there for me True blue, you saw it through

Love your reaction ! I felt this song in my SOUL when I first heard it in 1970 when I was 14 years old! The way you reacted to it is the same way I still react to it, 51 years later!

This was a banger back in the day and continues to be. Never gets old

I think this is your best reaction yet! I absolutely enjoyed watching you both just loving this so much. This was the music I listened to in high school. How lucky were we?!?. Thanks for keeping it alive for future generations 👍🥰

Pure Banger, the music is phenomenal in itself.

I too was in High School in 1970 when this came out & it was during the height of Vietnam & I was eligible for the draft. It was the Anti war Anthem.

IMHO, the most impactful Anti-War song is “The Grave”, by Don McClean. It’s not a “banger”, but it is deeply emotional. Thanks for the reaction!

I believe this is the most excited I've seen you both about one song

Three great anti-war songs off the top of my head are 'Eve of Destruction' - Barry McGuire, 'Masters of War' - The Staple Singers and 'Mickey' by Spear of Destiny.

An anthem for the times when body counts were broadcasted every night on the news. My older brothers were very close to getting drafted. This song speaks of my generation's heart.

This was soooo good. Can't get enough of that heavy beat. I grew up in the 70's. This song was everywhere. Someone suggested Time Has Come, by the Chambers Brothers.Thanks for this memory.

“Good God!!!” I’ve loved this song since I was a little kid in the 70’s, years later my son fell in love with this from the movie Small Soldiers.🔥👍

So hard to imagine that you haven't heard this song before. One of the most iconic songs ever.

I knew you guys would like this song and just had to watch. It was such a powerful song back in its day and it obviously hasn't lost any of its power. Great reaction!

I was in the U.S.Army during the Vietnam war. Whenever/wherever this song played, it got silent.

"Good God Y'all!!" I pressed for it when you were streaming, had a blast watching your reaction to it then and just as much fun watching you react to it this time. Glad you uploaded it as a stand alone so I can come back every now and then and watch you having an eargasm. 🙂

Right after Chris Rock got slapped he presented Questlove an Oscar for "Summer of Soul". Chambers Brothers, Stevie Wonder, BB King,,Gladys Knight, 5th Dimension, Nina Simone, Sly Stone and many many more. If anything should be viewed on Patreon it is this!!!!!

This song was released in 1970. I remember it playing on the radio as a kid, about a year before my brother went in to the Air Force. His draft number was 13, so he enlisted so he could choose which branch he went into.

"War" was released in 1970 while the Vietnam War was still raging on because Nixon wouldn't yet give up. Yes, a POWERFUL antiwar song that the current generation couldn't (and wouldn't) touch for fear of being labeled "un-American." I was 10 and was very familiar with the war because it had been broadcast on national television for YEARS. I don't know how people feel about war now. I am an old school hippie chick 🐣 and have been against unnecessary "police actions" that the United States has engaged in for over a century. Before anyone slams me for my comment, I DID serve in the US Navy for 8 years, post-Vietnam and pre Gulf War. I was 18 when I enlisted and only realized later on how imperialistic US policy has been, and truthfully, still is. Oh, and I did Intel work, so I'm very much aware and knowledgeable about which I speak/write, so please keep your hateful comments to yourself. Ty. Peace and love! ✌❤

REAL MUSIC. We had that back in the day!

This is pure funk!

In these times, brings tears to my eyes

Came out during the heart of the Vietnam war. As defining an element of the boomer generation as the fashion music and drug scene. This was one of many musical responses to the cause célèbre of a generation.

He was big in the UK Northern Soul scene in the 80s. He loved the UK and lived in the UK near me until he died aged 61. He is buried in Wilford Hill cemetery about 3 miles from my home. Absolute legend

Great,great reaction guys. Now you know how the rest of us felt when this first came out.

So many great anti-war songs. One of my favorites, from many years ago, is Tom Paxton singing "Jimmy Newman." Still gets me choked up.

check "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding" by Elvis C.

Mercy. I have this song a 45 - which I bought when it came out!

The early '70s were buzzing with anti-war/message songs. They started in the late '60s and became bolder by 1970 & 71.

Would have loved to see them live. I love horns and percussion. These guys nailed it!

Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire is another anti-war banger, trust me

Excellent reaction! War is one of those songs when it comes on, it gets cranked and you listen to the entire song.

Boys, I had this one on a 45 single. I don't know that I ever heard anything else by Edwin Starr, but this one was too powerful to ignore

I was watching your reaction during the live stream and it's a pleasure to watch you hit it again on replay. I agree that this is probably the best anti-war song out there. Awesome reactions!

Had this on 45! Still packs a 👊 ❤ Steppenwolf- Monster has some hard hitting lyrics too.

I got to see Edwin Starr perform live in the early 2000s in Chester UK. He was amazing and such a kind person. He had hand shake for everyone who spoke to him.

It's a powerhouse!! As a song as well as an anti war song. I was so glad to hear it on the live stream. It hits, period.

My favourite anti war song was by Country Joe & the Fish at Woodstock “ I feel like I’m fixed to die “. It got a half million people to their feet, and still resonates with me

A&A Bruce & the E Street Band do an incredible version on their live album! Powerful song!

Not sure its an anti war song but Zombie by the Cranberries is amazing its about the troubles in Northern Ireland Lead singer Dolores had an amazing voice 😊😊😊

You might like to give 'Universal Soldier' by Buffy St Marie, and covered by Donovan. So moving. Hope you are both well.

I-feel-like-I’m-fixin-to-die Rag by Country Joe McDonald. The clip from Woodstock. When I think of anti-war songs, this one always comes to mind.

Actually a great anti war song is Child in Time by Deep Purple. It has like 10 words in the whole lyric. Deep example of the "less is more" philosophy.

First day in college meeting my roommates, we put our (huge) speakers in the open window and blasted this song into the quad. The campus security showed up to our foggy room to tell us to turn it down of course, but we got four or five plays in first. Great start to those salad days.