OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

War / What's Going On (Motown The Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Watch War / What's Going On (Motown The Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording) on YouTube

Featured In

Listen to Motown the Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) by The Original Broadway Cast of Motown the Musical
ALBUMMotown the Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)The Original Broadway Cast of Motown the Musical

Top Songs By The Original Broadway Cast of Motown the Musical

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Bryan Terrell Clark
Bryan Terrell Clark
Vocals
The Original Broadway Cast of Motown the Musical
The Original Broadway Cast of Motown the Musical
Performer
Alden Banta
Alden Banta
Reeds
Alvin Hough
Alvin Hough
Keyboards
Amy Ralske
Amy Ralske
Cello
Bobby Baxmeyer
Bobby Baxmeyer
Guitar
Brandon Victor Dixon
Brandon Victor Dixon
Vocals
Brian Pareschi
Brian Pareschi
Trumpet
Bruce Eidem
Bruce Eidem
Trombone
Gary Seligson
Gary Seligson
Percussion
Jack Bashkow
Jack Bashkow
Reeds
Jason Elliot Jackson
Jason Elliot Jackson
Bass Trombone
Jason Webb
Jason Webb
Keyboards
John Chudoba
John Chudoba
Trumpet
Joseph Joubert
Joseph Joubert
Conductor
Kenny Brescia
Kenny Brescia
Guitar
Luico Hopper
Luico Hopper
Bass
Motown: The Musical Cast Ensemble
Motown: The Musical Cast Ensemble
Choir
Orlando Wells
Orlando Wells
Viola
Randy Cohen
Randy Cohen
Programming
Roger Squitero
Roger Squitero
Percussion
Sean Carney
Sean Carney
Violin
Todd Groves
Todd Groves
Reeds
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong
Composer
Alfred Cleveland
Alfred Cleveland
Composer
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Composer
Renaldo Benson
Renaldo Benson
Composer
Ethan Popp
Ethan Popp
Orchestrator
Bryan Crook
Bryan Crook
Orchestrator
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Frank Filipetti
Frank Filipetti
Producer
Ethan Popp
Ethan Popp
Producer

Lyrics

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, 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
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend
That's the undertaker
Ooooh, 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
Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, 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
Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
NothingMother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
Written by: Alfred Cleveland, Barrett Strong, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out