Five Songs About War

Five on the Fifth

On this, the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, here are five songs about war -- any war, not just this war:

“War.” The classic by Edwin Starr is the definitive version, but Joan Osborne's version from "How Sweet It Is" is slowed down, funky and soulful -- and definitely worth a listen. Springsteen also covered this song, righteously.

”Masters of War,” by Bob Dylan. No explanation needed, although it's worth noting that Pearl Jam did a nice in-concert cover of this song. Read the lyrics.

“Bomb the World,” by Michael Franti and Spearhead, with the lyrics, "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into peace ... Power to the Peaceful."

“The Dogs of War” by Pink Floyd – This eerie video of the dogs run amok with green gleaming eyes – well, just check it out, and listen to the words/read the lyrics.

"War Pigs" by Black Sabbath. Great song. Ominous and powerful, with the sirens wailing. I remember listening to this song, quite by accident, the weekend before the invasion launched, and although I’d heard it before, it was the first time I’d really listened and paid attention. Highly recommended.

Selected Links:

"Lebanon's Dogs of War" (MSNBC article about dogs ... who happen to be caught in a war zone):

http://dailynightly.msnbc.com/2006/08/lebanons_dogs_o.html

Wikipedia entry about the song, "War":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_%28Edwin_Starr_song%29

"Masters of War" lyrics by Bob Dylan:

http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/masters.html

Bomb the World (Michael Franti) video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICL-4Onk0PA

The Dogs of War concert video from Pink Floyd's The Delicate Sound of Thunder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdC74179Wk

War Pigs (Black Sabbath) video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GRR_n_yQGA