War - Edwin Starr | The Midnight Special

January 18, 1974
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[@josephroman8568]

There has never been a truer song than this one!

[@lostinmusic5431]

Incredible version. I love it 🌟🎵🎶👍🏾 ❤👍🏼🎶🎵🌟

[@HellOnWheel]

Holy crap that was amazing

[@toygeek84]

I had never heard of this version of the song before! It's so crazy good!

[@johndelconte9915]

Wow. Very theatrical. Brought tears to my eyes. I was 19 years old in 1974 and prime age for the military. Kids being drafted that many never spent a night away from home. Very scared.

[@robwarren6729]

Man he’s got the pipes. Very cool funky live version. They’re all killing it.

[@radish6691]

Holy s* I got chills when he started singing, love this version, always loved the message…and I’m retired military. ☮️

[@jimtringali3486]

Wow! I’ve never heard this version! AMAZING🎵🎶❤

[@MrSheymie]

What a singer! Flippin heck.

[@Diogenes1360]

Such a simple message, beautifully executed by a Master Soul Brother . . .

[@barrygyles2211]

I have seen him live 7 times and his performances were 5 Starr every time.RIP legend.

[@BigSCTVfan]

Thank You James Brown for providing the template Edwin Starr used for the music on this song. Though it definitely turned more into a rock song versus a funk song at the end there.

[@tobydrums1]

James Brown’s musical approach heavily influenced the whole world , especially the way musicians play.

[@tobydrums1]

The style of music does not change in this performance. The dynamics, intensity, spirit and groove changes and builds.It’s a show arrangement. A good show arrangement. Moving in various ways. All these elements have been the way Americans of African descent have presented music. The church is only one example. Missing in too much of current popular music performing. Computers can’t really get funky.

[@teagiagiteakarotu7027]

And jackie Wilson

[@markgigiel2722]

Wow, Nothing like the record. This was an experience. Thanks again Burt and Mary. We all appreciate it, especially Boomers like me.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Thank you very much Mark, Burt Sugarman

[@markgigiel2722]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow Thank you for the reply. Peace

[@mindriot69]

That was awesome. Yes it wasnt the original arrangement but it took it to a whole nother groovy place. I’m a 60 year old guy. When I was 7 (late 1970 thru 1971) (I would see Edwin Starr around the Leimert Park area of L.A. because my family owned a beauty supply on 43rd St… There was a bar near there where Edwin would hang at and I would always scream “WAR” at him where ever we’d see him around the area. He was always very friendly to the semi annoying chubby kid that I was back then (and maybe still am today.. except for the kid part… now I’m an old man). Edwin Starr had such a presence & voice. Him and his band killed in this Midnight Special clip. ✌🏽

[@wdaisygirl]

God Bless ! Thank you for sharing your story ! We lived in the best of times ! 🎉🎉🎉

[@chloeconniecarlton]

I never knew that Edwin lived around or hanged around the Leimert Park area! That's were I'm from! Thanks for the post!

[@mindriot69]

@@chloeconniecarlton My Aunt used to own a huge beauty supply on 43rd called Robinson Beautilities. There was also a store in the Mar Vista area on Venice Blvd. She bought both in the late 1960s. The 43rd Place store was bought somewhere in the late 1980s and they started to become more of a wig store. I used to frequent the store and that area from 1969 through the late 1970s. One of the first times I was there with my mom in 1969… She took me about a mile away to where the Black Dahlia’s body was found in 1947 over on Norton north of 39th. I cant think of my aunt’s old store & Leimert Park without ever thinking of the Black Dahlia murder. I was only 6 but I already was a lover of local L.A. history…. Sorry for my ramblings. I LOVED that area and time. I love playing in the little park across the street from the store. Going back to Edwin Starr… I dont know if he lived in Leimert Park but he definitely was around here and there for a few years (I’d see him or his car parked around the neighborhood a couple times a year for about 2 to 3 years). ✌🏽

[@Oklahoma-Dreaming]

I like the horn section and their dance moves at around 1:40. Pretty nifty. My favorite dancers are probably Amy Winehouse’s. They were hilarious.

[@CHICAGOWIND1981]

That Norman Whitfield Sound!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@SabiArtStory777]

War I am tired, I am weary I could sleep for a thousand years & have a thousand dreams like 'Sleeping Beauty' A thousand kisses would not awake me Different colors made of tears Reunion behind the scenes...

[@standaman1963]

I just realized something, the band playing for Edwin is Rose Royce.

[@calvinlincoln1896]

Yep! Out of Washington High School in Los Angeles. They also did the studio session for The Temptations 1990 album that had Heavenly on it.

[@deselby3421]

Well, this is art.

[@darrylherman916]

took'em to church!

[@GratefulHead1969]

That was f'n awesome!

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

OMG. What a true theatrical presentation.

[@Ablelom1990]

wow just wow, what a masterpiece this is!

[@vincestupidface9046]

Wow. Just wow.

[@Moparguy511]

Still a powerfully tune !!!

[@Rockzilla404]

Brilliant!! Helluva band!

[@phillydogmahon1]

If it's the same band I saw in 74, they became Rose Royce. They were called Total Conception Unlimited. I'm just so pleased that this footage has emerged. Back then and until now it remains as probably the most powerful performance I've ever seen.

[@Rockzilla404]

@@phillydogmahon1 It's the same band . It was Edwin Starr who introduced them to Norman Whitfield ( who was just nominated for the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. I saw Edwin Starr as a kid in Detroit with Freda Payne, Jimmy Smith, The Moments, Carl Carlton and a local group made up of kids called Mad Dog and The pups. Cobo Hall!

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

When I was in the Army this song was banned from many stations. Truest song ever.

[@Oklahoma-Dreaming]

This must be Elaine Benis’ favorite song. That Seinfeld episode where they were talking about “War and Peace” and how the original title was going to be, “War, What is It Good For?” was pretty funny.

[@vec875]

Absolutely nuthin’

[@user-ux9bx8kc5y]

The saxophonist was giving it his all!

[@rosskstar]

Gaza footage as a backdrop would fit right in. "When the wicked spring up as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; It is that they may be destroyed for ever." ~Ps 92;7

[@ROLtheWolf]

The shofar really completes the horn section.

[@unique74muzik]

Band: Rose Royce

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Edwin Starr who produced & sang the 1970 No. 1 Motown hit “War”, which was his biggest success & happened to coincide with a time of unrest in America over the Vietnam war, is NOT singing about the Vietnam war here; “Over the years, however, Starr said the real meaning of the song had been lost.” “The song was never about the Vietnam War,” he told the weekly British newspaper the Voice in 2001. “It was about the neighborhood wars and the racial wars that were going on inside America at the time. It just happened to coincide with the war in Vietnam.” -Los Angeles Times article April 3, 2003 The article also mentioned Edwin’s death at the age of 61 from an apparent heart attack, at his home near Nottingham, England. This cool song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong.

[@johndelconte9915]

That’s an interesting story but I think I would rather hear the “ real meaning of a song from the writer / lyricist, rather than the producer / singer. We called the “civil unrest” here in America, riots, not war. When David Gates wrote “every thing I own”, it was written for his father, but he said he wanted it to seem like a love song about loosing a lover. Could have been by death, or breakup. That’s up to the listener . Many songs mean different things to different people sometimes intentionally or sometimes just because of a personal experience that it connects them to and those are the songs that usually do well because they touch more people, which is the primary goal of most lyricists. So the writer of War probably or maybe had more than one meaning in mind when he wrote it. Maybe, but When a song titled “War” is written and released during a conflict like the Viet Nam war, I don’t see how anyone could have taken it any other way, so if the writer had another meaning he was trying to convey, he missed the mark. And I don’t think so. I don’t believe the meaning was “lost”. It’s very well written and very explicit. Nuff said.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@johndelconte9915Personally, I can’t stand the term “nuff”. I believe the meaning can apply to the Vietnam war and the wars going on in the neighborhoods and streets back then. It was a time of much unrest due to civil/women’s rights too. I saw the marches in the streets & the little girl being escorted to a racially segregated school by the national Guard. Peace to you.

[@johndelconte9915]

@@KittyGrizGriz enough said. Points made.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@johndelconte9915 Whatever, I’m not “counting points ” here. ✌️

[@johndelconte9915]

@@KittyGrizGriz I knew you were going to take it that way because you seem very cynical for some reason. I meant point of view. Not scoring points. We each stated our point of view and since art in any form is subjective, there’s just no point (reason) to continue these pointless (no purpose) comments. I’m not even trying to change your opinion. That belongs to you to keep. That’s what art is about. You made my point (intended argument) for me already anyway. Obviously this song conjured up a memory for you. You stated that yourself in a previous comment. It conjures up a different memory for me, which was the fear waiting for that letter from the United States Selective Services when I was 19 years old or hearing that a good friend wasn’t coming home. That’s usually the point (intention) of the lyricist.

[@newfiecanuck1960]

Powerful song, shame it falls on a lot deaf ears!

[@johndelconte9915]

They’re not deaf ears, they’re evil ears.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

It’s not “about” the Vietnam War nor any wars of combat made by the military industrial complex. It’s about the racial & neighborhood wars going on in America at the same time aka 1970. Peace.

[@alsmithsr4296]

White audience.

[@donjohn2695]

Mankind will NEVER learn

[@johndelconte9915]

@@alsmithsr4296not all white. You didn’t look very well. Why even make it racial? Trolling Spoiler

[@bpooboi]

Best version

[@canalcksofficial1745]

How Elvis influenced the clothing, stage clothes of singers and bands from the 70s, don't you think?

[@alsmithsr4296]

Elvis didn't influence a damn thing,he stole everything he did and knew.Elvis was one of the first culture vultures.

[@photoguy3d]

Elvis' 1970s look was inspired by Wayne Cochran kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWbCeKaqobV_bJYsi=JtFV-DAm3w_bqlMj

[@user-fb6lf3vl7p]

The Elvis suit creator must gotten wealthy.

[@teagiagiteakarotu7027]

He s not the Elvis thing but influence 😅❤

[@stevejones6247]

amen brother

[@Anna-w2u]

Tack!

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Thanks so much for the support, it is greatly appreciated.

[@robmatlock7675]

Loved this version, though it was different, it still is powerful!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

🙏❤️☝️ shared , war is good for nothing

[@MindTrickedX24]

They are GOING!

[@antoniousai1989]

Duke Jobe is an insanely talent bassist, holy moly.

[@user-lg8pn5hl6c]

Uau!!!!!!

[@teagiagiteakarotu7027]

War!!!!😂❤

[@russellzauner]

DROP SOME DICKEY BETTS/ALLMAN BROS! RIP Dickey Betts

[@quicolic]

Inspetor Lee and Detetive James Carter, we miss you guys..

[@BrendaJackson-gm4ib]

😳!! Did Elvis copy that suit!! 😮!!!

[@Najain]

😅😅

[@ronm6585]

Right On! ✌🏻✌🏻

[@miquelangelsantandreugomez2350]

Este directo es antológico.

[@user-fb6lf3vl7p]

Rose Royce has to be the backing band.

[@ejmallari6395]

That’s Band Rose Royce before there deal with Norman Witfeld playing behind him

[@gaylasmith5279]

What is good for? Absolutely nothing!

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Man, what happened to Black music? It used to be so good!

[@yancyjenkinssr1824]

What happened to black people period? They were so cool in the 70's😅😅

[@user-zi8ux6fy2n]

Hey y'all I was jus' a kid during the Vietnam war and I used to sneak at night to watch THIS GREAT variety show... Friday Night Videos were good but NUTHIN' compared to the EXPRESS 😎🎸🎷 music 🎶🎹🎺🪕🥁🎙️🎶

[@LuisAguila-dg6gq]

Si bien no me gusto lla versión, el mensaje final fue épico, excelente

[@user-fb6lf3vl7p]

Whitfield saw brilliance in RR.

[@CHICAGOWIND1981]

Yes he did

[@davidflewelling5043]

Great performance. I can't help but compare this version to Jackie Chan trying to sing it with Chris Tucker in rush hour.

[@luceatlux]

Play this in 0.75 speed. Thank me later

[@teagiagiteakarotu7027]

❤

[@jamesgerrardbrown5169]

Rush hour.... uno y dos..... ain't got nothing on Señor Edwin Starr doing it really...... doing it

[@ronrice1931]

The breakneck tempo ruins this song.

[@ryanfox7529]

Kinda Elvis jump suit?

[@ElTigreEsq]

My man has that good cocaine sweat going on haha

[@michaelwiley5130]

Terrible version. Way too fast. Loses its impact from the original version.

[@alsmithsr4296]

That's because you was born without rhythm

[@CHICAGOWIND1981]

​​@@alsmithsr4296🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 dat part

[@donjohn2695]

The original version was amazing brilliant absolutely badass while this arrangement of the song is dreadful

[@SuperBeachbum74]

Another Wlvis wannabe costume

[@notinmyUSMC]

When you only have one hit song, I guess you gotta stretch that sucka out. They did that alright!

[@spyderlogan4992]

Would you believe I think Springsteen's live version from way back in the day, is so, so much better?...This arrangement is a musical mess, at best.

[@alsmithsr4296]

Smoking,that's the best version.

[@musterionsurly]

that's what i'm talking about

[@gittahfiend]

That band is actually Rose Royce without the girl.

[@funkpill]

damn 😳