What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye came out in 1971, but let’s talk about “War” by Edwin Starr, which came out in 1970. The song was originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for The Temptations. Fun fact: The Temptations were known for hits like “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, but “War” was considered too politically charged for Motown at the time. You might remember that Motown boss Berry Gordy also pushed back on Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album because he wanted him to focus on love and relationships, rather than war, police brutality, and social issues.
Back to “War”: Edwin Starr recorded it instead, and it became one of the most powerful protest anthems against the Vietnam War. But it wasn’t just anti-war—it resonated deeply with the civil rights movement, highlighting the struggles Black communities faced and calling for justice and equality. Its raw energy made it an enduring anthem for both anti-war activism and Black empowerment.
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