“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 (51–60)
In the country where Hiroshima isYamamoto Satoshi
Many of you may have learned the song “In the Country Where Hiroshima Is” at school.
It is a precious piece that preserves the tragedy and sorrow of that day through music.
Japan is the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombings.
Living in such a country, it reminds us that there is history we must never forget.
A world without tomorrowRC sakuseshon
RC Succession’s “Eve of Destruction” is a song that boldly tackles the harsh theme of the realities of war.
It’s a cover of the track released in 1965 by American singer-songwriter Barry McGuire.
The song draws distant conflicts closer to the listener, engraving a sense of the looming threat of war—something we rarely have the chance to truly feel—and speaks to the terrifying ways war destroys individual lives.
The raw, true-to-Kiyoshiro Imawano wording pierces straight through, doesn’t it?
The crested ibis cries.Porunogurafiti
This song, “Avi ga Naku,” released in 2023 by the duo Porno Graffitti—popular across a wide audience—carries special significance.
Hiroshima is known in Japan as a place where war relics remain.
Hailing from Hiroshima, Porno Graffitti created this work as a collaboration project with the city, imbued with prayers for peace, and it was chosen as a support song for the Hiroshima Summit held there in 2023.
The lyrics, which ensure we never forget what happened in the past and pass the stories on to lead us toward peace, are deeply moving.
Heaven Help Us AllStevie Wonder
Speaking of Stevie Wonder, he is well known as someone who is actively involved in peace work, such as being appointed a UN Peace Ambassador.
This song expresses Stevie Wonder’s strong wish for world peace.
Throughout the piece, it conveys a prayer that people suffering around the world will be saved, and because the portrayal of those who suffer is so concrete, it may prompt listeners to turn their eyes to the world.
Along with learning about the sorrow overflowing in the world, the song also carries a warmth that makes you want to hope for a peaceful world.
[War Songs] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (61–70)
aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu
This is a work by Masaharu Fukuyama that portrays a heartrending romance and parting during wartime through delicate emotional expression.
The lyrics carefully weave together feelings for a loved one, a longing for peaceful everyday life, and the inescapable flow of fate, conveying the emotions of people buffeted by the era of war.
The tender vocals depict a yearning for the small joys of daily life and the warm moments shared with someone precious.
Created as the theme song for the film “If Only I Could Meet You Again on the Hill Where That Flower Blooms,” released in December 2023, this piece brilliantly expresses the worldview of the original novel through music.
Despite dealing with heavy themes such as war and separation, it is a song that evokes human warmth and hope, recommended for those who wish to reflect on the bonds with their loved ones and the preciousness of peace.
Army DreamersKate Bush
Kate Bush, a singer from England who was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2013.
“Army Dreamers,” included on her 1980 release Never for Ever, is a song about people who went to war as soldiers.
Its poignant melody unfolds in a waltz-like rhythm.
Her clear, translucent voice conveys a sincere feeling toward the soldiers.
It is a song that depicts the tragedy of war—something that must never happen again.
Muddy up to the waistHajime Chitose
A single, quiet yet piercingly poignant song, like a short story.
This piece was written in 1966 by American folk singer Pete Seeger.
It tells a sorrowful tale based on a real incident in the United States, in which subordinates were sacrificed due to a leader’s misguided judgment.
The voice of Chitose Hajime—whose roots lie in the Amami “Shima-uta” tradition—conveys a deep, quiet anger, blending beautifully with the lyrics that calmly recount the irrationality of war.
Included on the acclaimed album Heiwa Gannen (Year One of Peace), released in July 2015, this song may prompt listeners to once again reflect on the preciousness of peace in the face of the unjust reality depicted in the story.