I just learned that Edwin Starr's "War" was originally recorded by The Temptations. I always thought it was the other way around and that their version was a cover of Starr's hit. As it turns out The Temptations recorded the song first, but it was never released as a single. The song gained popularity with the anti-Vietnam movement, and the public requested that the label release it as a single. Motown feared that it might ruin the reputations of one of their biggest acts, or, at the very least, surround them in what they considered unnecessary controversy so they decided to re-record the tune with a totally different performer, Edwin Starr. Starr's version in June of 1970 became a huge hit and held the #1 position on the Bilboard charts for three weeks. Starr's "War" is probably the most well-known anti-war song ever recorded.
Sadly, the song is as meaningful today, and resonates with the same intensity, as it did forty years ago.
and The Temptations original recording...
Thanks to kingdaka5006 and tuzwol for the uploads to YouTube.
