“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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[War Songs] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (21–30)
Before the Generation of LoveHamada Shogo
This is a rock number by Shogo Hamada from Hiroshima Prefecture, infused with a powerful anti-nuclear message.
Released in September 1981, it’s the title track of the album “Before the Generation of Love,” and it conveys his unwavering commitment to peace.
The song depicts the sense of nihilism felt by a generation living under the shadow of nuclear threat, as well as their urgent concern for the future.
The word “flash” in the lyrics vividly evokes the tragedy of the atomic bombing.
Along with the music’s strength, it’s a soul-stirring piece that prompts us to reconsider just how precious a life free from conflict truly is.
Across timeHY
A song by HY, a band from Okinawa, that prays for peace and speaks to the preciousness of life.
The lyrics recount stories heard from a grandmother and grandfather about their youth and what things were like during the war.
It conveys something simple yet easily forgotten: that they endured hardship, survived, met each other, and because of that, life was passed on and I was born.
It prompts us to reflect anew on the miracle of our own birth and the value of life, and it strengthens the heartfelt wish for a world without war.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Released in 1971, the song was written and composed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
It’s a classic you can’t help but hear during the Christmas season, created as an anti-war song.
In the chorus, there’s a message addressing the reality that war still continues—“let’s bring the war to an end”—and it feels like a number meant to convey that wish to the entire world.
For Whom the Alchemist ExistsMr.Children
This is a song wishing for peace, included on Mr.Children’s 11th album, “Shifuku no Oto,” released in 2004.
Around the time the song was created, a series of incidents occurred in which minors became both perpetrators and victims.
Inspired by these events, vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai wrote lyrics expressing his feelings about war and his wish for peace, resulting in a masterpiece.
It’s a song that makes you reflect on what you can do, in your daily life, for the sadness and suffering of others.
Peace and highlightSazan Ōrusutāzu
This is a song that brightly sings, in a characteristically pop Southern All Stars style, about the feelings stirred by the ugly conflicts erupting between nations around the world.
“You did something bad back then, so we won’t help you now.” “Once we’ve started a fight, there’s no backing down.” As long as this kind of brinkmanship continues, peace will not come to the world.
Why is it so hard to acknowledge our differences and praise each other’s good points? Rather than thinking it has nothing to do with you, why not reflect on it while listening to Keisuke Kuwata’s voice?
One more milesadamasashi
From the very first line, you can feel Masashi Sada’s anti-war sentiments infused into this song.
“Another Mile,” performed by Raisin, the folk duo of singer-songwriter Masashi Sada and Masami Yoshida, vividly portrays scenes of war and the stories and episodes of the people surrounding them through his voice.
It’s a song whose persuasive lyrics strike the heart precisely because he is one of Japan’s leading folk singers.
camphor treeFukuyama Masaharu
This song was created by Masaharu Fukuyama with heartfelt feelings for Nagasaki, which is both his hometown and a city that suffered the atomic bombing.
On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped, turning Nagasaki into a burned-out wasteland; yet, miraculously, two camphor trees survived the flames and recovered.
The torii gate mentioned in the lyrics, left standing with only one side, also actually exists.
Listening closely to this song—which expresses the sense of duty and mission inspired by those things that kept living and standing despite unimaginable damage—there is much that resonates even with those of us who have never experienced war.
