“Song of War”: A classic that sings of the tragedy and folly of war
Songs of war that are etched deeply into the human heart.
Within those voices lie prayers for peace, love for family, and memories that should be passed down across generations.
Living in the present, we can reflect anew on the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace through these songs.
In this article, we introduce moving songs themed around “war” that have left their mark on the history of Japanese music.
Shall we take a fresh look—through music—at the importance of a peaceful, conflict-free everyday life that we must protect?
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[Song of War] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (71–80)
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?Katō Tokiko
In 2022, Tokiko Kato released the album “On the Endless Earth,” imbued with her hopes for peace and her anti-war convictions.
The song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” included on this album, can rightly be called one of the world’s most famous anti-war songs.
Written by American singer Pete Seeger, it has been covered in Japan by numerous artists, including YMO and Kiyoshiro Imawano.
Some may feel that war is something that happens far away and has nothing to do with them.
But after listening to this song, will you still feel the same? It’s a piece you’ll want to hear while imagining yourself and your family in its place.
What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 release “What’s Going On” was created based on stories from his brother, who had been in the Vietnam War.
Because it’s rooted in real experiences, it conveys a vivid, heartfelt pain toward war.
Fighting is wrong—so why do we have to do something like this…? No matter the reason, war is a mistake; this song makes you feel that anew.
Only One,Only YouGLAY
GLAY’s 60th single, “Only One, Only You,” released in 2022.
The lyrics draw you in with a powerful message against modern warfare.
While depicting the shocking realities we witness in our daily lives, the song also conveys both a longing for peace and a sense of despair.
Doesn’t it evoke a strong desire for peace not just for oneself, but for all people? It’s a track that clearly reflects GLAY’s deep commitment to peace.
[Songs of War] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (81–90)
War and MeSambomasutā
Sambomaster is a three-piece rock band that has won popularity with a one-of-a-kind sound blending straight punk rock with diverse musical influences.
Their song “War and Me,” included on their major-label third album, “Let’s Call Everything About You and Me Rock ’n’ Roll,” paints a vivid picture through its message that captures the raw emotions of heading into war.
Even while understanding that war involves both oneself and the opponent, the mindset of closing one’s eyes to injustice for the sake of one’s own sense of justice or the things one wants to protect is a timeless conflict faced by warriors, past and present.
It’s a melancholic number that calls to mind the tragedy of lives and futures derailed by war.
The sky of Hiroshimasadamasashi
Created in 1987 and included on commemorative albums such as “Gekko,” this work is imbued with a prayer for peace.
Masashi Sada, a native of Nagasaki, composed the song based on his aunt’s experience as a Hiroshima bombing survivor, rendering the tragedy through quiet acoustic sounds and a poignantly transparent vocal that leaves a strong impression.
It is performed without fail at the annual concert held in Nagasaki on August 6.
You can sense Sada’s characteristic sense of mission to pass historical truth on to future generations.
Precisely because memories of war are fading in the present day, this is a masterpiece to which we should listen closely.
Take a moment to reflect quietly on the preciousness of peace.
HanahikariRīgaru Rirī
What this floating alternative rock sound depicts is a desperate plea to hold back a loved one heading to war.
Words like “fighter jet” and “soldier” thrust the brutal reality that borders our peaceful everyday life before us, powerfully shaking the listener’s heart.
Released in September 2019, this song is Regal Lily’s milestone debut single, written as the theme for the film The Flowers of Evil.
When we long for a world without conflict, its quietly prayerful vocals are sure to resonate deeply within you.
Hiroshima, River of LoveSakushi: Nakazawa Keiji sakushi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Katsuhiko
This is a solemn prayer song born from the only poem left by Keiji Nakazawa, the creator of the manga Barefoot Gen.
You can almost see the scene of countless lights floating on the flow of Hiroshima’s rivers, entrusted with the sorrow of the atomic bombing and hopes for the future.
Released in June 2014, this piece has been cherished as a symbol of peace, sung every year at Hiroshima’s peace events on August 6, the anniversary of the bombing.
It’s a song to listen to when you want to quietly honor the memories etched in history and reflect anew on the preciousness of peace.