“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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[Songs of War] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (81–90)
decoy (sacrificial pawn)THE BLUE HEARTS
This classic song powerfully portrays the absurdity of war—where individuals are discarded by those in power—set against a driving punk sound.
Released by THE BLUE HEARTS in February 1993, it opens the album “STICK OUT,” which topped the Oricon charts.
Hiroto Kōmoto, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, is said to have expressed his discomfort with a society that treats voiceless individuals as expendable “pawns” for a larger cause.
The perspective of a victim who can do nothing but cry—so at odds with brave-sounding rhetoric—strikes listeners to the core.
When you find yourself questioning social structures and the “justice” being proclaimed, this song may give voice to the cry in your heart.
The War SongCulture Club
The song that loudly proclaims the feeling that war is absurd and wrong is “The War Song” by the British band Culture Club.
Of course war itself is unacceptable, but the song goes further to say that the people who wage it are the real problem, evoking the heartless nature of those who engage in conflict.
The poppy melody, in contrast to the lyrics, is also striking.
In the end, it appeals to all who wish for peace: war must never be waged—so let’s all raise our voices and say so clearly.
Upon the boundless earthKatō Tokiko
Tokiko Kato’s “On the Boundless Earth” is an anti-war song that single-mindedly raises a chorus of longing for peace.
The poem is woven with deep empathy and hopes for people exposed to lands where the fires of war never cease, and its words carry a persuasive power that is enough to make one tremble.
I cannot help but wish that the message carried by her voice will reach people’s hearts directly.
By each of us drawing our hearts close to the world of the song and facing its truth, we can once again recognize the importance of remembering the mistakes that must never be repeated.
CHILDREN IN THE WARGLAY
A song that poignantly expresses the tragedy of war and the feelings of the people.
GLAY’s leader, TAKURO, composed it in response to the Iraq War in 2003.
From the perspective of a flower blooming in the desert, it questions the meaning of peace and portrays the inner conflict of soldiers gripping their guns on the battlefield.
GLAY first performed the song during their “HIGHCOMMUNICATIONS TOUR 2003.” Its sound, infused with acoustic elements, resonates deeply.
As the number of people who have never experienced war increases, this is a vital message song that conveys the preciousness of peace—one that many should hear.
NO WAR in the futureKeyakizaka 46
“NO WAR in the future,” included on Keyakizaka46’s debut album “Hashiridasu Shunkan” released in 2018, is also well known as the walk-up song for Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Hiroki Hasegawa.
Why must we fight? If we had just a bit of kindness and love, conflict wouldn’t arise—this song embodies that universally held wish for peace.
It’s a track that makes you want to start with what’s close to you: to be gentle and to be willing to yield to others.
Blowin’ in the WindBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is a world-famous American musician who has been active since the 1960s.
His 1963 release “Blowin’ in the Wind” is a song themed around the American civil rights movement.
Its simple acoustic guitar tones and harmonica playing are striking.
The lyrics pose questions about conflict, and together with the warm melody, they resonate deeply.
Be sure to pay attention to the refrain repeated at the end of the track.
[War Songs] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (91–100)
Cross of SorrowHAWAIIAN 6
Whether far away or close to home, in any era, war never comes to an end.
Why can’t the world become a place where war disappears completely? With that unbearable feeling set to an intense punk sound, we pour our hearts into expressing it.
It’s a popular song at festivals and live shows.
Although it’s in English, its powerful message fires up the audience, and it sometimes turns into a massive sing-along.
Perhaps this kind of contagion is our mission as people born in a peaceful country.
