What 1970 hit by Edwin Starr is an anti-war anthem? “War.”
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, “War” was first recorded by the Temptations for their 1970 album Psychedelic Shack. Motown then had Edwin Starr rerecord it as a single, giving the song a more forceful, shouted performance suited to its anti-Vietnam War message.
Released in June 1970, Starr’s version became his signature song and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It was also one of the most commercially successful protest songs of its era. A common mix-up is crediting the Temptations because they recorded the original album version; the famous chart hit is Starr’s recording.