Based on sales, Boyz II Men is one of the most successful R&B groups of all time, having recorded five #1 pop hits between 1992 and 1997. They have since topped sales of 25 million records. Three of their #1 hits, "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You", and "One Sweet Day" (a duet with Mariah Carey), set and broke records for the longest period of time a single remained at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Boyz II Men were originally signed to Motown Records from 1990 to 2000, at which point they were moved to parent label Universal Records. After the 2000 album Nathan Shawn Michael Wanya, Boyz II Men moved to Arista Records. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from scoliosis. As of 2005, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.
War
Boyz II Men Lyrics
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What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh,
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Oh, war, I despise
Cause it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
Ooh, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa,
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing
But a heart breaker
Friends only to the undertaker
Ooh, war
It's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Ah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Come on, let me hear ya
War, it ain't nothing but a heart breaker
It's got one friend
That's the undertaker
War has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away
Oh, war, huh
Ooh yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, whoa,
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Come on, sing it
War, whoa,
Come on and shout it, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Come on, come on now
It ain't nothing but a heart breaker
Friends only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
Ooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
The song "War" by Boyz II Men is a powerful anthem against the destructive nature of war. The lyrics begin by asking the question "What is it good for?" and state that the answer is "absolutely nothing." The song's chorus repeats this phrase several times, driving home the message. The verses describe the devastating effects of war, including the destruction of innocent lives, the tears of grieving mothers, and the physical and psychological harm inflicted on soldiers. The song expresses a longing for peace, love, and understanding, and questions the idea that war is necessary to preserve freedom.
The lyrics of "War" are straightforward and direct, using simple language to convey a powerful message. The song's melody is simple and repetitive, emphasizing the importance of its central message. The use of repetition in the chorus makes the song easy to sing along with and gives it a timeless quality. The song's production is also simple but effective, with a heavy drumbeat and soulful vocals that emphasize the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Boyz II Men's version of "War" is a cover of an earlier song by the same name, which was written and originally performed by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. The original version was released in 1969 by the Temptations and was a top 10 hit in the United States. The Boyz II Men version was released in 1998 and was included on their album "Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya." The song was not released as a single, but it received radio airplay and has become a popular cover of the Temptations' classic.
Line by Line Meaning
War, huh, yeah
The word war is being mentioned and acknowledged
What is it good for
Questioning the usefulness of war
Absolutely nothing
Concluding that war has no useful purpose
Uh-huh huh
An exclamation to emphasize the point being made
Say it again, y'all
A request to repeat the statement being made
Oh, war, I despise
Expressing hatred towards war
Cause it means destruction
Explaining the reason for the hatred of war
Of innocent lives
Clarifying the victims of war
War means tears
Associating war with the emotion of tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
Identifying the specific group of people affected by war
When their sons go to fight
Providing the context of why mothers are affected
And lose their lives
Highlighting the tragic outcome of war
Ooh, war, huh
Repeating the acknowledgment of the word war with emphasis
Good God, y'all
A phrase to emphasize the severity of the issue being discussed
War ain't nothing
Stating the insignificance of war
But a heart breaker
Describing the emotional impact of war
Friends only to the undertaker
Personifying death as the only outcome of war
It's an enemy to all mankind
Describing war as an adversary to all humanity
The point of war blows my mind
Expressing confusion about the reasoning behind war
War has caused unrest
Highlighting the negative effects of war
Within the younger generation
Identifying the specific group affected by war
Induction then destruction
Describing the process of being drafted and killed in war
Who wants to die
Questioning the desire for people to die in war
Come on, let me hear ya
Encouraging participation from listeners
It ain't nothing but a heart breaker
Reiterating the emotional impact of war
It's got one friend
Personifying death as a friend of war
War has shattered
Describing the negative effects of war
Many a young mans dreams
Identifying the specific group affected by war
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Describing the physical and emotional damage war causes
Life is much to short and precious
Highlighting the value of life
To spend fighting wars these days
Questioning the necessity of war in modern times
War can't give life
Stating the inability of war to create life
It can only take it away
Highlighting the destructive nature of war
Come on and shout it, y'all
Encouraging listeners to voice their opinions
Peace, love and understanding
Naming desirable alternatives to war
Is there no place for them today
Questioning why there is a lack of peaceful alternatives
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
Acknowledging the argument for war
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
Suggesting that there must be alternate, peaceful solutions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind