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3 Famous Songs From 1970 That Are Connected to the Vietnam War
Three popular songs from 1970 became linked to the Vietnam War in different ways, reflecting the era’s divided views and unrest in the United States. Merle Haggard’s “The Fightin’ Side of Me” urged respect for the country, while Edwin Starr’s “War” was widely heard as an anti-war statement despite having been written about racial conflict.
Neil Young wrote “Ohio” after seeing photographs of the killing of four unarmed students at Kent State on 4 May 1970, during an anti-war protest. “The Fightin’ Side of Me” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart and also appeared on the Hot 100; Starr’s version of “War” topped the Hot 100 after the Temptations recorded it first, but Motown initially held it back as too controversial.
In short
- 1970’s songs reflected sharply different responses to the Vietnam War.
- “War” was written about racial conflict, but listeners connected it to Vietnam.
- Neil Young wrote “Ohio” after four students were killed at Kent State.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A defender of “The Fightin’ Side of Me” could argue that, amid bitter division and unrest, the song expressed a legitimate wish for national solidarity and respect for those serving the country. From this perspective, affirming patriotism need not mean endorsing every decision about the war; it can reflect concern that contempt and internal conflict will deepen social fractures.
The case against
Critics could argue that calls to respect the country risk treating dissent as disloyalty, especially when people were protesting a war they considered unjust and mourning students killed at Kent State. “War” and “Ohio” gave voice to the human cost of conflict and protest, making the case that public criticism and anti-war expression were necessary forms of conscience rather than disrespect.