Music+1


 * __** Protest Music of the Vietnam War Era **__

War- Edwin Starr

War, huh, yeah What is it good for Absolutely nothing Uh-huh War, huh, yeah What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it again, y'all

War, huh, good God What is it good for Absolutely nothing Listen to me

Ohhh, war, I despise Because it means destruction Of innocent lives

War means tears To thousands of mothers eyes When their sons go to fight And lose their lives

I said, war, huh Good God, y'all What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it again

War, whoa, Lord What is it good for Absolutely nothing Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing But a heartbreaker War, friend only to the undertaker Ooooh, war It's an enemy to all mankind The point of war blows my mind War has caused unrest Within the younger generation Induction then destruction Who wants to die Aaaaah, war-huh Good God y'all What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it, say it, say it War, huh What is it good for Absolutely nothing Listen to me

War, huh, yeah What is it good for Absolutely nothing Uh-huh War, huh, yeah What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it again y'all War, huh, good God What is it good for Absolutely nothing Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker War, it's got one friend That's the undertaker Ooooh, war, has shattered Many a young mans dreams Made him disabled, bitter and mean Life is much to short and precious To spend fighting wars these days War can't give life It can only take it away

Ooooh, war, huh Good God y'all What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it again

War, whoa, Lord What is it good for Absolutely nothing Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker War, friend only to the undertaker Peace, love and understanding Tell me, is there no place for them today They say we must fight to keep our freedom But Lord knows there's got to be a better way

Ooooooh, war, huh Good God y'all What is it good for You tell me Say it, say it, say it, say it

War, huh Good God y'all What is it good for Stand up and shout it Nothing

This was one of the first Motown songs to make a political statement.

This won a Grammy for Best R&B Male Vocal.

Starr died of a heart attack in 2003. He was 61.

This was also featured in the 1998 movie //Rush Hour// with martial arts star Jackie Chan and comedian Chris Tucker. (thanks, Regina - Chesapeake, VA)

**Significance of Song**
 * The significance of this song is to show disapproval to the Vietnam war.


 * The first line “War, huh, yeah. What is it good for Absolutely nothing” means that there is no use for war. It just brings out pain rather then peace.


 * Next, "War I despise/'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives/War means tears in thousands of mothers' eyes/When their sons go out to fight and lose their lives." Shows that war kills innocent people who have nothing to do with the problems or views of the government. Many people lose their lives whether they believe in the war or not.


 * The lines "It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker.../War has shattered many young men's dreams/Made him disabled, bitter and mean." This shows that war destroys young men’s lives whether they are disabled or bitter.


 * "War can't give life, it can only take it away." This was the problem with the war.

I'm Fixin to Die by Country Joe Macdonald

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again. He's got himself in a terrible jam Way down yonder in Vietnam So put down your books and pick up a gun, We're gonna have a whole lotta fun. And it's one, two, three, What are we fighting for ? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, Next stop is Vietnam; And it's five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates, Well there ain't no time to wonder why, Whoopee! we're all gonna die. Well, come on generals, let's move fast; Your big chance has come at last. Gotta go out and get those reds — The only good commie is the one who's dead And you know that peace can only be won When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come. And it's one, two, three, What are we fighting for ? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, Next stop is Vietnam; And it's five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates, Well there ain't no time to wonder why Whoopee! we're all gonna die. Huh! Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow, Why man, this is war au-go-go. There's plenty good money to be made By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade, Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb, They drop it on the Viet Cong. And it's one, two, three, What are we fighting for ? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, Next stop is Vietnam. And it's five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates, Well there ain't no time to wonder why Whoopee! we're all gonna die. Well, come on mothers throughout the land, Pack your boys off to Vietnam. Come on fathers, don't hesitate, Send 'em off before it's too late. Be the first one on your block To have your boy come home in a box. And it's one, two, three What are we fighting for ? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, Next stop is Vietnam. And it's five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates, Well there ain't no time to wonder why, Whoopee! we're all gonna die.


 * Significance of Song**
 * Calling out the government for entering the war, mainly to make a profit of the weapons Industry
 * Making fun of Uncle sam asking parents to send there children to fight in a war we have no reason to fight and be in a race to have their son be the first to come home in a box
 * The song told people they should be happy the country was in a war because it was a chance to make money
 * It says the only tiome there can be peace is once we blown them all to kingdom come, but death can never bring life or peace.

http://www.countryjoe.com/feelmus.htm

Works Cited

http://fronteras.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/edwinstarr_war.jpg

http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/344/344p15.gif

code Lyrics Download. "Country Joe McDonald - I FEEL LIKE I'M FIXIN' TO DIE." //Lyrics Download//. N.p., n.d.    Web. 1 Oct. 2009. . code

code Oldie Lyrics. "Edwin Starr lyrics- War." //Oldie Lyrics//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2009. . code

code Song Facts. "War by Edwin Starr." //Song Facts//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2009. . code