Almanac Music: ‘It’s Heartbreak Warfare’ – Songs Referencing War
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Almanac Music: ‘It’s Heartbreak Warfare’ – Songs Referencing War
Hi, Almanackers! This piece in my long-running series about key popular song themes concerns songs that in some way reference war. Add a few words of explanation to your chosen song (or songs) if you feel it’s necessary.
So, dear readers, please put your relevant ‘war’ songs in the ‘Comments’ section. Below, as usual, are some examples from me to get the ball rolling.
‘Snoopy vs. the Red Baron’, written by Phil Gernhard and Dick Holler, performed by The Royal Guardsmen (1966)
‘Smiley’, written by Johnny Young, performed by Ronnie Burns (1969)
‘Reds in My Bed’, written by Eric Stewart and Stuart Tosh, performed by 10cc (1978)
‘Lawyers in Love’, written and performed by Jackson Browne (1983)
‘War Baby’, written and performed by Tom Robinson (1983)
‘Khe Sahn’, written by Don Walker, performed by Cold Chisel (1978)
‘Summer Rain’, written by Robbie Seidman and Maria Vidal, performed by Belinda Carlisle (1990)
‘Heartbreak Warfare’, written and performed by John Mayer (2009)
…………………………………….
Now, dear readers / listeners – it’s over to you. Your responses to this topic are warmly welcomed. In the ‘Comments’ section, please add your own choice of a song (or songs) referencing war, along with any other relevant material you wish to include.
[Note: as usual, Wikipedia has been a solid general reference for this piece, particularly in terms of checking dates and other details.]
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His sixth book-length poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises, was published in early 2026 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Those that came to mind are:
‘Masters of War’ – Bob Dylan
‘A Hard Rains Gonna Fall’ – Bob Dylan
‘Blowing in the Wind’ – Bob Dylan
‘Universal Soldier’ – Donovan
‘Sky Pilot’ – Eric Burdon & the Animals
‘The Cruel War’ – Peter, Paul & Mary
Thanks for opening the batting with these sixties classics, Col. Spot on! ( Or should I say, in keeping with that era, ‘Right on!’)
I’ll defer to Slim Dusty’s, Gumtrees by the Roadway.
I’d like to tell my story
In a simple kind of way
It’s happened to many hundreds
In this war-torn world today
I heard the call for duty
So I donned the khaki suit
And I marched ‘way past the gumtrees
And the willows by the creek.
Glen!
Thanks for opening the batting with Col, Glen. It’s always good to get some Slim on one of our themed songlists.
There’s a fair few Clash songs that mention war in their title,and/or refer to it in their lyrics.
English Civil War is an obvious title. The following are a few referring to war: Sean Flynn, Guns of Brixton, London Calling, Tommy Gun, The Call Up, Charlie Don’t Surf, Hate and War, Ivan meet GI Joe,Spanish Bombs, Straight to Hell, Washington bullets; I wonder what have I left out, there are others.
Of course the Combat Rock album fits in here, also probably Sandinista as the Sandinistas overthrew the corrupt Nicaraguan Government. Whoops, one can’t leave out London Calling.
Glen!
Good Friday morning Kevin
This 1963 Dylan song was written when US/Russian tensions were peaking over potential atomic weapons in Cuba; here we are some 63 years later and the tensions over nuclear weapons are still evident, although the actors (including the US) are different. For most of us, we should be very grateful for the relative peace during our lifetimes.
Talkin’ World War III Blues
‘Some time ago a crazy dream came to me
I dreamt I was walkin’ into World War Three’
A day in the life: The Beatles
(We want) the same thing: Belinda Carlisle
In old England town: Electric Light Orchestra
Kuiama: Electric Light Orchestra
Radiate: Fleming and John
A place called love: Fleming and John
Missing the war: Ben Folds Five
Dear Mama: Kelly Groucutt
Don’t put your boys in the army Mrs Ward: Idle Race
Alcatraz: Idle Race
Happy Xmas (War is over): John Lennon
U.S Forces: Midnight Oil
Question: Moody Blues
Before we go: Orchestra
I was only 19: Redgum
I don’t get out much anymore: James Reyne
Lay your weary head down: James Reyne
Turn! Turn! Tum! (To everything there is a season): Pete Seeger (original, but numerous other versions including the Byrds and the Seekers)
Scarborough Fair/Canticle: Simon and Garfunkel
C’est Le Bon: Supertramp
Escape from the Citadel: Tandy and Morgan
Midnight Oil: “When the Generals Talk”, “Forgotten Years”, “Put Down That Weapon”, “Armistice Day”, “Short Memory”, “Hercules”.
Pogues: “The Recruiting Sergeant” (let English men fight English wars),
“And the Band played Waltzing Matilda”
Thanks, Glen, for your excellent compilation of Clash ‘war songs’ – this new theme in our series seems made for them.