War Songs Ranked
War (originally called Eric Burdon and War) is an American funk-rock band from Long Beach, California, known for several hit songs (including “Spill the Wine”, “The World Is a Ghetto”, “The Cisco Kid”, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”, “Low Rider”, and “Summer”). Formed in 1969, War is a musical crossover band that fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae. Their album The World Is a Ghetto was Billboard’s best-selling album of 1973. The band transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. War was subject to many line-up changes over the course of its existence, leaving member Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up; four other members created a new group called the Lowrider Band. Here are all of the War songs ranked.
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12. The World is a Ghetto (The World is a Ghetto, 1972)
“This is one of the most melancholic songs in the funk/soul genre in the early seventies that I’ve heard. The entire ten minute song is just dismal, in the most engaging and rewarding way. The lyrics, while simple, carry a lot of weight and encapsulate what the vocalist was portraying; what he was portraying was a desolate vantage point of poverty.”
11. Southern Part of Texas (Deliver the Word, 1973)
“Southern Part of Texas” is funky but generic – the vocal melody of the verses sounds like a tired retread of “Slippin’ into Darkness” – and also starts to drag by its conclusion.”
10. The Cisco Kid (The World is a Ghetto, 1972)
“This has a lot of soul and funk it, but really lacks in any form of good and edible music. The sound is sloppy like my home recordings and then the vocals just don’t match the psychedelic pace of the beat.”
9. Ballero (War Live, 1974)
“Ballero” a latinized 4/4 piece with indiscernible vocals was mildly hypnotic. They played with a reverence and wanted you to experience their penchant for genre melding
See more: War Albums Ranked
8. The Jungle (Outlaw, 1982)
“The Jungle was a fun Papa Dee Allen rap song with a funk tome I’ll never forget. The songs are average danceable songs and war at least is better at average songs than most hip hop artists are at their best.
7. Don’t Let No One Get You Down (Why Can’t We Be Friends?, 1975)
“This song is so absolutely gorgeous, the melody and chorus are so well done and catchy, and the message and lyrics are incredibly meaningful and heartfelt.”
6. Four Cornered Room (The World Is a Ghetto, 1972)
“This song assembles all archetypes into having some form of poorness, be it for a rich man or poor man. Everyone has misfortunes that drive us into our own ‘ghettos’.”
See more: Warren Zevon Albums Ranked
5. Spill the Wine (Eric Burdon Declares “War”, 1970
“Eric Burden at his finest. This was a 60’s favorite, believe me I was there! Absolutely a must have for anyone building a 1960s collection.”
4. Gypsy Man (Deliver the Word, 1973)
“The chorus is so catchy. I can’t find myself singing it. The song is plain raw fun and honestly. The synchronization of the instruments during the chorus was too much awesomeness for me to handle.”
3. Slippin’ Into Darkness (All Day Music, 1971)
“I love the old soul & blues music. It’s great to dance to & excellent to listen to as you’re going to sleep. A real winner!”
2. Low Rider (Up in Smoke, 1975)
“Such a ridiculously good song. The intro is amazing and the song just never gets old. The lyrics are amazing and the guitars and drums song incredible too”
1. Why Can’t We Be Friends (Why Can’t We Be Friends?, 1975)
“Absolutely adorable, that’s how. Most of this song is just the same five words repeated again and again, and the other lyrics aren’t particularly complex, but somehow they make it all sound so utterly sincere that it’s impossible to avoid smiling. The reggae groove is, of course, absolutely lovely, and the guitar sound in particular is great. One of the most uncomplicatedly pleasant songs ever made.”