[2026] Anti-war songs in Western music. Songs that wish for peace.
As of 2026, there is still no sign of a resolution to the situation in Ukraine, and since October 2023, armed clashes between Israel and Gaza have broken out, plunging the world into continued turmoil.
More recently, new fighting engulfing the entire Middle East has intensified, with the United States and Israel carrying out large-scale airstrikes on military and political targets inside Iran.
In this article, we’ve compiled a selection of overseas anti-war songs that will move listeners emotionally—precisely the kind of music we want you to hear in times like these—spanning different eras and genres.
Please listen while checking the parallel translations and such—the messages each artist has imbued in their work, from heartfelt wishes for peace to, at times, stern denunciations of those in power.
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[2026] Anti-war songs in Western music: Songs praying for peace (41–50)
Dance On GasolineMåneskin
Gasoline used as fuel for weapons.
If it’s going to be used to kill people, then we’ll dance on it—so goes the song Dance On Gasoline.
It’s a track by the Italian rock band Måneskin, released in April 2022, written for the Stand Up For Ukraine campaign in support of Ukraine.
They also performed it at Coachella, the major music festival held in the United States.
Regarding how the song came about, the members of Måneskin said that when the invasion of Ukraine began, they felt that conveying unity through music was what they should do.
With a gritty rock sound only they can deliver, the song expresses anger toward war and a strong resolve not to yield to it.
Where Is The Love?The Black Eyed Peas
What do you think we should do to eliminate conflict from the world? It’s a really difficult topic, isn’t it? One song that offers an answer to this question is “Where Is The Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas.
In the lyrics, the message is that if each of us asks ourselves that question, conflict will disappear.
Since 2022, it’s been trending on TikTok, so many of you have probably heard it often.
Take a moment to listen to the message of peace carried by this song.
Harry Patch (In Memory Of)Radiohead
Radiohead, the British rock band that’s hugely popular in Japan as well, is a group everyone knows.
They’ve created numerous classic songs over the years.
Among them, the track I especially recommend is Harry Patch (In Memory Of).
Inspired by Harry Patch, the legendary soldier who fought in the trenches during World War I, the song honors his bravery while decrying the folly of war as an anti-war piece.
This track also marked a turning point where Radiohead began releasing songs with more concrete, specific lyrics.
It’s a work that can be considered significant in discussing their career.
Hey Hey Rise Up (feat. Andriy Khlyvnyuk of Boombox)Pink Floyd
The charity song “Hey Hey Rise Up (feat.
Andriy Khlyvnyuk of Boombox)” was created to support the people of Ukraine during wartime.
Produced in 2022 by the English rock band Pink Floyd, it features vocals by Andriy Khlyvnyuk, a member of the Ukrainian band Boombox.
David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s vocalist, hopes for a swift end to the war and took action to express support for Ukraine.
It is an anti-war song filled with the message: “Let’s support those suffering from the war across the world!”
It’s a MistakeMen At Work
Men at Work’s song “It’s a Mistake,” released in 1983, is an era-defining anti-war track.
It vividly reflects the tensions of the Cold War and leaves a strong impression on listeners.
Especially now, as we witness the situation in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Gaza, lyrics like these are taking on renewed significance.
Anyone who’s seen the darkly humorous music video will recognize that today’s circumstances are anything but funny.
It’s a song I hope will be heard by listeners who wish for peace and by everyone whose heart aches over these issues.