The original War was the brainchild of veteran record producer Jerry Goldstein ("My Boyfriend's Back," "Hang on Sloopy," "I Want Candy") and rock legend Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the top British band The Animals). "I first saw some of the guys who would eventually become War playing at the Rag Doll in North Hollywood, backing Deacon Jones, the pro football player, and knew immediately how potent these kids were," Goldstein said of his first exposure to the group. "I was friends with Eric and he was ready to throw in the towel on the music scene and return to Newcastle. He was tired of the 'rock' thing and desperate for a fresh authentic sound. I called him the morning after I first saw the band and made him return to the club the next night with me. Eric was so blown away by what he had heard that he jumped on stage to jam with them. The guys were so sheltered, that they hadn't even heard of Eric or The Animals. I had them in the studio within a week, and the rest is history!"
The year was 1969, and the band had the nerve to carry the name War at a time when peace was the slogan in an anti-Vietnam America. "Our mission was to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony," states founder and singer/keyboardist Lonnie Jordan. "Our instruments and voices became our weapons of choice and the songs our ammunition. We spoke out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, as we embraced all people with hope and the spirit of brotherhood. It's just as apropos today."
Eric Burdon & War began playing live shows and immediately found themselves in front of sold-out audiences throughout Southern California before entering into the studio to record their debut album Eric Burdon Declares WAR. The album's key track, the erotic, spaced-out, Latin-flavored "Spill The Wine," was an immediate worldwide hit and launched the band's career.
1970s
Burdon and War toured extensively across Europe and the States, garnering rave reviews from mainstream and music press alike. England's New Musical Express called War "the best live band I ever saw" after their first UK gig in London's Hyde Park. Musicians on both sides of the ocean were buzzing about this new band. Jimi Hendrix even jammed with War at Ronnie Scott's Club the night he died.
A second Burdon and War album, a two-disc set, The Black Man's Burdon, was released in 1970, before an exhausted and volatile Burdon left the band in the middle of its European tour. Already starting to assert themselves, War finished the tour without him and returned to record an album.
The result was War's 1971 self-entitled debut album. While this album met with only modest success, it laid the groundwork for things to come. Later that year, the band released All Day Music, which included the hit singles "All Day Music" and "Slippin' into Darkness." In 1972 the band's sound was refined and deepened with the release of The World Is a Ghetto; a gritty, celebratory, and reflective album which established War at the forefront of funk and brown-eyed soul. Its first single, "The Cisco Kid," shipped gold and brought the band a following in the Hispanic community that has remained loyal to the group to this day. The thought-provoking title song fueled the album's rise to the number one spot on Billboard and was voted Billboard's Album of the Year.
The next album, the slightly less gritty Deliver The Word (1973), contained the hits "Gypsy Man," and a re-recording of "Me And Baby Brother". This album proved a real challenge for the band since the pressure of their previous hits and a lack of focus made concentration difficult. Despite these conditions, the album went on to sell nearly two million copies. It was 1975 when the Why Can't We Be Friends? album was released. It included "Low Rider", the universal lowrider anthem, and the satirical title track, a half-joking but irresistibly soulful tune that both applauded and laughed at overly-positive utopian funk songs.
Exhausted from a non-stop schedule, the band took a year long hiatus from recording, but did release a greatest hits record which contained one new song, "Summer." War became the first group to ever include a new cut on a Greatest Hits package. With its easy flowing style the single went gold and earned them even more success. However, the emerging disco craze began to threaten the popularity of War's gritty and socially aware funk rock. Disco, with its programmed beats, slick production, and superficial lyrics, dominated the music scene; the unconstructed and free form street music that defined War was clearly not in vogue. Still, the group managed to attain success with the album Galaxy and its sleek, danceable title single. "Galaxy was inspired by Star Wars and just fit into the vibe of the time," Goldstein remembers. War's next project, coincidentally, would be a soundtrack album for the movie Youngblood in 1978.
Later years
Although War would never rekindle the level of prosperity that was reached in the mid-seventies, it continued to record music, releasing the albums The Music Band (1979), The Music Band 2 (1980), and Outlaw (1982). The singles "Outlaw," "You Got The Power," and "Cinco De Mayo" were warmly embraced by War fans. During the eighties, War began to focus more on touring than recording. In the beginning it was difficult, with small crowds, bad venues and low pay, but the band persevered. "It was the spirit of survival and the belief we few remaining original members had in our music that carried us forward," reflects original member Lonnie Jordan.
The band's popularity has grown steadily ever since, as a result of increased television appearances; use of their music in film, television and advertising; and samples and covers by other recording artists. Sampling of War by hip hop artists was prevalent enough to merit the compilation album Rap Declares War in 1992, which was sanctioned by the band and intended in part to demonstrate their ongoing influence as well as introduce them to a younger audience. This rather enlightened understanding of the sampling art and its promotional potential stood in contrast to the slew of lawsuits launched by other artists over sampling at the time. In 1994 the release of Peace Sign, an album well received by critics and fans, reinvigorated War's presence in the music scene. War now tours over 150 dates a year, in venues ranging from tens of thousands to a few dozen.
The band has also twice been honored by its hometown of Los Angeles, over a span of twenty years, for the positive contributions its music has made to the community.
The only original member in War's current lineup is Lonnie Jordan (keyboards). The largest group of the remaining members formed their own group, called the Lowrider Band. It consists of four original core group members of War: Howard E. Scott, B.B. Dickerson, Lee Oskar, and Harold Brown. These members lost the right in court to use and tour under the name War. Charles Miller was murdered in 1980 and Papa Dee Allen died of a heart attack in 1988.
I Have A Dream
Eric Burdon & WAR Lyrics
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How about late Saturday evening
Let me scoop you up in my two door
And we can cruise, painting Nashville
Don't you worry, I'm footing the bill
Baby, it's you I'm ready to explore
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
Even if it's just one night
Baby, let's make it, make it
Make the best of our time
I know you're tempted to stay in the house
And eat ice cream and lay on the couch
Watching reruns of The Golden Girls
Well, baby, if that's what you're doing
How about I come through and
Bring the six pack, join your chilled out world
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
Hoping I can make you laugh
Even if it's just one night
Baby, let's make it, make it
Make the best of our time, oh
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
Hoping I can make you laugh
Even if it's just one night
Baby, let's make it, make it
Make the best of our
Giving you the best that I have
Hoping I can make you laugh
Even if it's just one night
Baby, let's make it, make it
Make the best of our time
The lyrics of Eric Burdon & WAR's song "I Have a Dream" depict a romantic and playful scenario where the singer is inviting their loved one to spend quality time together. The song starts by suggesting an alternative to spending the weekend alone by proposing to pick up their partner in a two-door car and go on a leisurely drive through Nashville, with the singer gladly taking care of the expenses. It conveys a sense of excitement and curiosity to explore their loved one on this adventure.
The next verse acknowledges the temptation to stay at home and indulge in comfort, symbolized by eating ice cream and watching reruns of the TV show The Golden Girls. The singer offers to join in and brings along a six-pack of drinks to enhance the relaxed atmosphere. These lyrics showcase a willingness to step into their partner's world and engage in activities that bring them joy.
Throughout the song, there is an underlying theme of giving their best and hoping to create moments of laughter and happiness, even if it's just for a single night. The repeated chorus emphasizes the commitment to making the most of their time together and cherishing the present moment.
Overall, "I Have a Dream" portrays a loving and lighthearted invitation to share quality time with a partner, embracing spontaneity and making the best of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Instead of being alone on the weekend
Rather than spending the weekend by myself
How about late Saturday evening
What if we spend a late Saturday night together
Let me scoop you up in my two door
Allow me to pick you up in my two-door vehicle
And we can cruise, painting Nashville
And we can drive around, exploring Nashville
Don't you worry, I'm footing the bill
Don't worry, I'll take care of all the expenses
Baby, it's you I'm ready to explore
Baby, I'm excited to get to know you better
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
I'm offering you the utmost of what I can provide
Hoping I can make you laugh
Having the hope that I can bring joy and laughter to you
Even if it's just one night
Even if it's only for a single evening
Baby, let's make it, make it
Darling, let's create something special
Make the best of our time
Maximize the enjoyment of the moments we share
I know you're tempted to stay in the house
I understand that you might feel inclined to stay indoors
And eat ice cream and lay on the couch
And indulge in ice cream while resting on the couch
Watching reruns of The Golden Girls
Watching repeated episodes of The Golden Girls television show
Well, baby, if that's what you're doing
Well, darling, if that's your current activity
How about I come through and
What if I visit you and
Bring the six pack, join your chilled out world
Bring some drinks and immerse myself in your relaxed environment
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
Hence, I'm presenting you with my utmost effort
Hoping I can make you laugh
Having the desire to bring laughter to you
Even if it's just one night
Even if it's only for a single evening
Baby, let's make it, make it
Darling, let's create something special
Make the best of our time, oh
Seize the opportunity to make our time together remarkable
So, I'm giving you the best that I have
Thus, I'm providing you with all that I can offer
Hoping I can make you laugh
Wishing to bring laughter to your life
Even if it's just one night
Even if it's only for a single evening
Baby, let's make it, make it
Darling, let's create something special
Make the best of our time
Maximize the enjoyment of the moments we share
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind