7 Popular Songs You Never Knew Were About War

War: What is it good for? According to Edwin Starr, absolutely nothing, although countless other musicians seem to have found one useful thing about war -- inspiration for some very moving and popular songs. Since people have learned to pick up guns and fight each other, just as many people have learned to pick up their guitar and write about what they see. Not surprisingly, war songs became increasingly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, when the Vietnam War and rock music were both at their heights. We all know some of these protest anthems by heart, such as "Billy Don't Be a Hero," "Gimme Shelter," and "Give Peace a Chance." But there are tons of other popular songs that sprung up during this era that you probably didn't even realize were inspired by war and violence, and that subtle inspiration has continued to permeate lyrics today. Veteran's Day is today, the perfect time to pay our respects to the severity of war and the men and women who have fought/are still fighting. Start by giving a listen to these 7 mainstream hits that have historical and violent backgrounds. Which ones are you most surprised to see? -By Caitlin Morton

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