Lyrics

WAR

Live 30 Sep 1985 version


[Spoken:] If you grew up in the sixties, you grew up with war on TV every night. A war that your friends were involved in. And uh, I wanna do this song tonight for all the young people out there. If you're in your teens... 'Cause I remember a lot of my friends when we were 17 or 18, we didn't have much of a chance to think about how we felt about a lot of things. And uh, the next time they're gonna be looking at you. And you're gonna need a lot of information to know what you're gonna wanna do. Because in 1985, blind faith in your leaders or in anything will get you killed. 'Cause what I'm talking about here is...

(War, huh), yeah yeah yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), whoa whoa whoa yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Come on

War is something that I despise
For it means the destruction of innocent lives
And thousand words in mothers' cry
When their sons go off to fight to give their lives, yeah

(War, huh), woah woah woah yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), woah no no yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing, hey

(War), it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
(War), friend only to the undertaker

Yeah, war is the enemy of all mankind
The thought of war just blows my mind
Handed down from generation to generation
Induction, destruction, who wants to die?

(War, huh), woah woah no no
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), yeah yeah yeah yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Come on now

(War), it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
(War), friend only to the undertaker

War has shattered many young men's dreams
Made them disabled, bitter and mean
Life is too precious to be fighting wars each day
War can't give life, it can only take it away

(War, huh), whoa whoa whoa yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), good God, y'all
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing

Peace, love and understanding, all
There must be some place for these things today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord, there's gotta be another way that's better than

(War, huh) whoa whoa whoa yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), good God
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Come on now
(War, huh), yeah yeah yeah yeah
(What is it good for?) Absolutely nothing
Say it again
(War, huh), oh yeah
(What is it good for?) Nothing
I'm talking about (war)

Info

WAR is a 1970 song written by The Temptations. See the original The Temptations version for more details. The song was made famous by Edwin Starr later in 1970. See the original Edwin Starr version for more details.

Bruce Springsteen performed WAR live many times between 1985 and 2003 (see the "Live History" section below) and he released a live version in 1986.

Live 30 Sep 1985 version

The above lyrics are for the live 30 Sep 1985 performance of WAR at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA, during the Born In The U.S.A. Tour. The song was played in full-band version. This live 30 Sep 1985 performance of WAR was included on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.


The live 30 Sep 1985 version WAR was included on the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album.

The 30 Sep 1985 Show

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band wrapped up the Born In The U.S.A. Tour with a series of four consecutive sold-out concerts at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA: 27 Sep, 28 Sep, 30 Sep, and 02 Oct 1985. The 30 Sep 1985 show later became one of the main sources for the Live/1975-85 box set which includes eight recordings from this show. Video clips for two of these songs were released on Springsteen's Video Anthology / 1978-88 home video in 1989. Additionally several pro-shot clips from this show appeared in the BBC documentary Glory Days and in the ABC newsmagazine 20/20 in 1986.

Ticket stub for the 30 Sep 1985 show at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Ticket stub for the 30 Sep 1985 show at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

30 Sep 1985 concert setlist

  1. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  2. BADLANDS
  3. DARLINGTON COUNTY
  4. JOHNNY 99
  5. SEEDS
  6. DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN
  7. THE RIVER
  8. WAR
  9. WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY
  10. TRAPPED
  11. OUT IN THE STREET
  12. I'M GOIN' DOWN
  13. GLORY DAYS
  14. THE PROMISED LAND
  15. MY HOMETOWN
  16. THUNDER ROAD
  17. COVER ME
  18. DANCING IN THE DARK
  19. HUNGRY HEART
  20. CADILLAC RANCH
  21. NO SURRENDER
  22. I'M ON FIRE
  23. PINK CADILLAC
  24. BOBBY JEAN
  25. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
  26. BORN TO RUN
  27. RAMROD
  28. TWIST AND SHOUT
  29. STAND ON IT
  30. TRAVELIN' BAND
  31. ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD

The Live/1975-85 Box Set

With the Born In The U.S.A. album and tour, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band reached the highest level of rock stardom. Columbia Records was expecting a follow up studio album and tour that would, like it's predecessor, achieve a huge commercial success. Instead, Springsteen released Live/1975-85, an over-three-hours-and-a-half-long live compilation album consisting of 40 tracks recorded at various concerts between 1975 and 1985.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85

The set was produced by Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and Bruce Springsteen, and hit the stores on 10 Nov 1986. It was released as a box set with either five vinyl records, three cassettes, or three CDs. Live/1975-85 is the first album to be credited to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band" instead of "Bruce Springsteen" only.

The highly-anticipated live album generated advance orders of more than 1.5 million copies, making it the largest dollar-volume pre-order in the history of the record business at the time. Record stores around the country found fans waiting in line on Monday morning before opening and one New York store reportedly sold the album right off the back of the delivery truck. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart and also became the first five-record set to reach the top 10 and the first to sell over a million copies. Live/1975-85 is the second-best-selling live album in U.S. history based on RIAA certification. It has been certified by the RIAA for 13 times platinum, trailing only Garth Brooks' Double Live.

Live/1975-85 track list (vinyl edition)

Side 1:

1.THUNDER ROADRecorded live on 18 Oct 1975 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
2.ADAM RAISE A CAINRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
3.SPIRIT IN THE NIGHTRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
4.4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)Recorded live on 31 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY

Side 2:

1.PARADISE BY THE "C"Recorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
2.FIRERecorded live on 16 Dec 1978 at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
3.GROWIN' UPRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
4.IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITYRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA

Side 3:

1.BACKSTREETSRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
2.ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)Recorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
3.RAISE YOUR HANDRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA

Side 4:

1.HUNGRY HEARTRecorded live on 28 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
2.TWO HEARTSRecorded live on 08 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
3.CADILLAC RANCHRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
4.YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH)Recorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
5.INDEPENDENCE DAYRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Side 5:

1.BADLANDSRecorded live on 05 Nov 1980 at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2.BECAUSE THE NIGHTRecorded live on 28 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
3.CANDY'S ROOMRecorded live on 08 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
4.DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWNRecorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
5.RACING IN THE STREETRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Side 6:

1.THIS LAND IS YOUR LANDRecorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
2.NEBRASKARecorded live on 06 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
3.JOHNNY 99Recorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
4.REASON TO BELIEVERecorded live on 19 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Side 7:

1.BORN IN THE U.S.A.Recorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
2.SEEDSRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
3.THE RIVERRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Side 8:

1.WARRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
2.DARLINGTON COUNTYRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
3.WORKING ON THE HIGHWAYRecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
4.THE PROMISED LANDRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Side 9:

1.COVER MERecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
2.I'M ON FIRERecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
3.BOBBY JEANRecorded live on 21 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
4.MY HOMETOWNRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Side 10:

1.BORN TO RUNRecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
2.NO SURRENDERRecorded live on 06 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
3.TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUTRecorded live on 20 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
4.JERSEY GIRLRecorded live on 09 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Live/1975-85 track list (CD edition)

Disc 1:

01.THUNDER ROADRecorded live on 18 Oct 1975 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
02.ADAM RAISE A CAINRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
03.SPIRIT IN THE NIGHTRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
04.4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)Recorded live on 31 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
05.PARADISE BY THE "C"Recorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
06.FIRERecorded live on 16 Dec 1978 at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
07GROWIN' UPRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
08.IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITYRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
09.BACKSTREETSRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
10.ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)Recorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
11.RAISE YOUR HANDRecorded live on 07 Jul 1978 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
12.HUNGRY HEARTRecorded live on 28 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
13.TWO HEARTSRecorded live on 08 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Disc 2:

01.CADILLAC RANCHRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
02.YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH)Recorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
03.INDEPENDENCE DAYRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
04.BADLANDSRecorded live on 05 Nov 1980 at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
05.BECAUSE THE NIGHTRecorded live on 28 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
06.CANDY'S ROOMRecorded live on 08 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
07.DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWNRecorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
08.RACING IN THE STREETRecorded live on 06 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
09.THIS LAND IS YOUR LANDRecorded live on 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
10.NEBRASKARecorded live on 06 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
11.JOHNNY 99Recorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
12.REASON TO BELIEVERecorded live on 19 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
13.BORN IN THE U.S.A.Recorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
14.SEEDSRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Disc 3:

01.THE RIVERRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
02.WARRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
03.DARLINGTON COUNTYRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
04.WORKING ON THE HIGHWAYRecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
05.THE PROMISED LANDRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
06.COVER MERecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
07.I'M ON FIRERecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
08.BOBBY JEANRecorded live on 21 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
09.MY HOMETOWNRecorded live on 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
10.BORN TO RUNRecorded live on 19 Aug 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
11.NO SURRENDERRecorded live on 06 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
12.TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUTRecorded live on 20 Aug 1984 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
13.JERSEY GIRLRecorded live on 09 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Music Video

A music video for WAR, directed by Arthur Rosat, was released promotionally 1986. It starts and ends with news footage from the Vietnam War era and the rest is a straightforward video filming of the live 30 Sep 1985 version. The video was later released commercially on Springsteen's Video Anthology / 1978-88 home video and was also included on the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album. It was posted on Bruce Springsteen's VEVO YouTube channel in September 2010.


Single Release

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

The live 30 Sep 1985 version WAR was released as a single in November 1986, with MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version] on the B-side. This was the lead single from the Live/1975-85 box set.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (BA 3504) - Australia, 1986

This Australian pressing was exported to New Zealand in Epic company sleeves.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - Columbia (38 06432) - Canada, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (650193 6) - Greece, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
B1- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - Holland, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (650193 6) - Holland, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
B1- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - Ireland, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - Italy, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS / Sony (07SP 1000) - Japan, 1985

Comes with a picture insert. Promotional copies are identical to the commercial ones with the exception of "NOT FOR SALE / SAMPLE" (in Japanese) imprint above the catalogue number on the labels.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (BS-650536) - Mexico, 1986

This was pressed on both black and red vinyl.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- FIRE [Live 16 Dec 1978 version]
B1- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B2- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"

7" single - CBS (CS-10154) - Philippines, 1986

Comes in a die-cut CBS company sleeve.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - Portugal, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - Spain, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (650193 6) - Spain, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
B1- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - CBS (650193 7) - UK, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (650193 6) - UK, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
B1- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

12" EP - CBS (650193 8) - UK, 1986

This limited issue comes in a fold-out poster sleeve.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
B1- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- War

7" single - Columbia (38-06432) - USA, 1986

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"

7" single - Columbia (13-68705) - USA, 1988

Columbia's "Hall Of Fame" series reissue, comes in a "Hall Of Fame" company sleeve.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- "War / Merry Christmas Baby"

7" single - Columbia (13-68705) - USA, late 1980's

Collectables reissue, comes in a Collectables company sleeve.

A1- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B1- MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]

Video Anthology Home Video

Video Anthology / 1978-88 is a collection of 18 Bruce Springsteen music videos and concert performances, released on VHS on 31 Jan 1989. The home video was also released on LaserDisc.

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)

Video Anthology / 1978-88 track list

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Sonny reissued the video on DVD on 16 Jan 2001. Titled The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000, the new expanded release added a second disc with 15 additional music video, concert performances, and television appearances.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)

The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 track list

Disc 1:

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Disc 2:

  1. HUMAN TOUCH — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  2. BETTER DAYS — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  3. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON) — originally released in 1992, directed by Adam Bernstein
  4. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version] — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  5. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA — originally released in 1993, directed by Jonathan Demme and Ted Demme
  6. MURDER INCORPORATED — originally released in 1995, directed by Jonathan Demme
  7. SECRET GARDEN — originally released in 1995, directed by Peter Care
  8. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version] — originally released in 1995, directed by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher
  9. DEAD MAN WALKIN' — originally released in 1196, directed by Tim Robbins
  10. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD — originally released in 1996, directed by Arnold Levine
  11. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 version] — from The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
  12. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN — previously unreleased, directed by Sean Penn
  13. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version] — previously unreleased, directed by Jonathan Demme
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 20 Nov 1998 version] — from The Charlie Rose Show
  15. LIFT ME UP — audio only, plays over end credits
  16. SECRET GARDEN [with Strings] — previously unreleased, directed by Peter Care

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.

Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-
Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- track list

Disc 1: (audio CD)

  1. BORN TO RUN
  2. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
  3. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
  4. BADLANDS
  5. HUNGRY HEART
  6. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  7. SANTA CLAUSE IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
  8. ATLANTIC CITY
  9. DANCING IN THE DARK
  10. COVER ME
  11. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  12. I'M ON FIRE
  13. GLORY DAYS
  14. I'M GOIN' DOWN
  15. MY HOMETOWN
  16. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  17. FIRE [Live 16 Dec 1978 version]

Disc 2: (audio CD)

  1. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  2. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  3. ONE STEP UP
  4. TOUGHER THAN THE REST
  5. SPARE PARTS
  6. HUMAN TOUCH
  7. BETTER DAYS
  8. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  9. ROLL OF THE DICE
  10. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA
  11. SECRET GARDEN
  12. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
  13. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  14. BLOOD BROTHERS [Alternate studio version]
  15. I WANNA BE WITH YOU
  16. CHIMES OF FREEDOM [Live 03 Jul 1988 version]
  17. AMERICAN BEAUTY
  18. I'LL STAND BY YOU

Disc 3: (DVD)

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  2. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
  3. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  4. THUNDER ROAD [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  5. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  6. BADLANDS [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  7. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version]
  8. I WANNY MARRY YOU [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  9. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version]
  10. ATLANTIC CITY
  11. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN
  12. DANCING IN THE DARK
  13. COVER ME [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  15. I'M ON FIRE
  16. GLORY DAYS
  17. I'M GOIN' DOWN [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  18. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  19. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  20. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version]
  21. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  22. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  23. ONE STEP UP
  24. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
  25. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version]
  26. VIGILANTE MAN [Live Feb 1988 version]
  27. HUMAN TOUCH
  28. BETTER DAYS
  29. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  30. ROLL OF THE DICE [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
  31. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version]
  32. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version]

Disc 4: (DVD)

  1. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [1993 music video version]
  2. MURDER INCORPORATED
  3. SECRET GARDEN
  4. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 (NBC Studios) version]
  5. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  6. LONESOME DAY
  7. WAITIN' ON A SUNNY DAY [Live 16 Oct 2002 version]
  8. DEVILS & DUST
  9. RADIO NOWHERE
  10. LONG WALK HOME
  11. WORKING ON A DREAM
  12. THE LAST CARNIVAL
  13. A NIGHT WITH THE JERSEY DEVIL
  14. SAVE MY LOVE
  15. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN
  16. ROCKY GROUND
  17. HIGH HOPES
  18. JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD
  19. HELLO SUNSHINE
  20. TUCSON TRAIN
  21. WESTERN STARS
  22. I'LL STAND BY YOU
  23. LETTER TO YOU
  24. GHOSTS
  25. THE POWER OF PRAYER
  26. I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
  27. DO I LOVE YOU (INDEED I DO)
  28. NIGHTSHIFT
  29. DON'T PLAY THAT SONG
  30. TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

Other Official Releases

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

The live 30 Sep 1985 version of WAR was also included on some Bruce Springsteen promo-only samplers.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85

LP - Columbia (CAS 2543) - USA, 1986
LP - CBS (12CDN 324) - Canada, 1986
LP - CBS (SAMP 1104) - Holland, 1986
LP - CBS (SAMP 1104) - Spain, 1986

Promotional sampler compiling 8 tracks from the Live/1975-85 box set.

Live/1975-85 (1986 sampler) track list

A1- FIRE [Live 16 Dec 1978 version]
A2- RAISE YOUR HAND [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
A3- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
A4- CADILLAC RANCH [Live 06 Jul 1981 version]
B1- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B2- THE RIVER [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B3- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B4- TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Live 20 Aug 1984 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- The
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- The "Live" / The Legend Comes Alive

LP - CBS/Sony (XDAP 93156) - Japan, 1986
MC - CBS/Sony (XDKP 93022) - Japan, 1986

Promotional release compiling 10 tracks from the Live/1975-85 box set. The cassette tape issue is extremely rare and features a different artwork.

The Live (1986 sampler) track list

A1- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A2- SEEDS [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A3- COVER ME [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A4- BOBBY JEAN [Live 21 Aug 1985 version]
A5- NO SURRENDER [Live 06 Aug 1984 version]
B1- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B2- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B3- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
B4- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B5- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live (Argentina LP issue)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live

LP - Columbia (70.015) - Argentina, 1986
MC - Columbia (170-015) - Argentina, 1986
MC - CBS (8283-4) - Uruguay, 1986

Sampler compiling 10 tracks from the Live/1975-85 box set.

Live (1986 sampler) track list

A1- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
A2- COVER ME [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A3- I'M ON FIRE [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
A4- TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Live 20 Aug 1984 version]
A5- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B1- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B2- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B3- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B4- DARLINGTON COUNTY [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B5- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- Ao Vivo (LP issue)
Bruce Springsteen -- Ao Vivo

LP - CBS (177.127/1-464061) - Brazil, 1986
MC - CBS (77.127/4-464061) - Brazil, 1986
CD - CBS (700.268/2-464061) - Brazil, 1991

Brazilian sampler compiling 10 tracks from the Live/1975-85 box set. A Venezuela issue (see below), appropriately titled "En Vivo" (Spanish) instead of "Ao Vivo" (Portuguese), was also released.

Ao Vivo track list

A1- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
A2- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A3- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A4- THE RIVER [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A5- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B1- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B2- DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
B3- COVER ME [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B4- I'M ON FIRE [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B5- JERSEY GIRL [Live 09 Jul 1981 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- En Vivo
Bruce Springsteen -- En Vivo

LP - CBS (CS-10624) - Venezuela, 1986

Venezuelan sampler compiling 10 tracks from the Live/1975-85 box set. The Brazilian issue (see above), appropriately titled "Ao Vivo" (Portuguese) instead of "En Vivo" (Spanish), was also released.

En Vivo track list

A1- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
A2- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A3- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A4- THE RIVER [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
A5- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B1- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B2- DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
B3- COVER ME [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
B4- I'M ON FIRE [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
B5- JERSEY GIRL [Live 09 Jul 1981 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's
Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's

2xCD - CBS/Sony (XADP 90009~10) - Japan, 1988

Japan-only promotional 2-CD set sampler compiling 28 tracks from Bruce Springsteen's first nine albums plus two 1988 live B-sides.

The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's track list

Disc 1: (70's)
01- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
02- BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
03- RACING IN THE STREET
04- KITTY'S BACK
05- BADLANDS
06- GROWIN' UP
07- PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
08- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
09- BACKSTREETS [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
10- FOR YOU
11- TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
12- THE PROMISED LAND
13- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
14- BORN TO RUN

Disc 2: (80's)
01- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
02- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
03- DANCING IN THE DARK
04- CADILLAC RANCH [Live 06 Jul 1981 version]
05- WALK LIKE A MAN
06- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
07- JOHNNY 99
08- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
09- I WANNA MARRY YOU
10- MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
11- THE RIVER
12- GLORY DAYS
13- OUT IN THE STREET
14- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
15- SPARE PARTS [Live 09 Jul 1988 version]
16- THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- Live 1975-1985 Digest CD
Bruce Springsteen -- Live 1975-1985 Digest CD

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CD-R advance sampler tying in with the release of the Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style CD album reissue of Live/1975-85. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Live 1975-1985 Digest CD track list

01- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
02- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
03- GROWIN' UP [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
04- IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
05- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
06- RACING IN THE STREET [Live 06 Jul 1981 version]
07- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
08- BOBBY JEAN [Live 21 Aug 1985 version]
09- BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
10- NO SURRENDER [Live 06 Aug 1984 version]
11- JERSEY GIRL [Live 09 Jul 1981 version]

The live 30 Sep 1985 version of WAR can also be found on some Bruce Springsteen samplers.

Various artists -- American Hit Tunes Vol. 8 January '87 Issue
Various artists -- American Hit Tunes Vol. 8 January '87 Issue

LP - CBS / Sony (XDAP 93161) - Japan, 1987

Promotional sampler. Includes two Bruce Springsteen tracks: WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version], MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY [Live 31 Dec 1980 version].

Other versions of WAR were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985
The live 27 Sep 1985 version of WAR was released on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988
The live 28 Mar 1988 version of WAR was released on the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- LA Sports Arena, California 1988
The live 23 Apr 1988 version of WAR was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Los Angeles, April 1988
The live 28 Apr 1988 version of WAR was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Madison Square Garden 1988
The live 23 May 1988 version of WAR was released on the Madison Square Garden 1988 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988
The live 03 Jul 1988 version of WAR was released on the Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988 official live download in 2017.

Live History

WAR was performed 4 times during the Born In The U.S.A. Tour (156 dates, June 1984 to October 1985); the tour's final 4 dates. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement. The live 30 Sep 1985 version of WAR was released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.

List of Born In The U.S.A. Tour performances

  1. 27 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  2. 29 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  3. 30 Sep 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  4. 02 Oct 1985 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

WAR was performed 67 times during the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour (67 dates, February to August 1988); that is every single one of the tour's regular dates. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement. The live 28 Mar 1988 version of WAR was released on the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988 official live download in 2020. The live 23 Apr 1988 version of WAR was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015. The live 28 Apr 1988 version of WAR was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021. The live 23 May 1988 version of WAR was released on the Madison Square Garden 1988 official live download in 2019. The live 03 Jul 1988 version of WAR was released on the Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988 official live download in 2017.

List of Tunnel Of Love Express Tour performances

  1. 25 Feb 1988 at Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA
  2. 28 Feb 1988 at Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA
  3. 29 Feb 1988 at Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA
  4. 03 Mar 1988 at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, Chapel Hill, NC
  5. 04 Mar 1988 at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, Chapel Hill, NC
  6. 08 Mar 1988 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  7. 09 Mar 1988 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  8. 13 Mar 1988 at Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
  9. 14 Mar 1988 at Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
  10. 16 Mar 1988 at Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, IL
  11. 17 Mar 1988 at Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, IL
  12. 20 Mar 1988 at Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
  13. 22 Mar 1988 at The Omni, Atlanta, GA
  14. 23 Mar 1988 at The Omni, Atlanta, GA
  15. 26 Mar 1988 at Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
  16. 28 Mar 1988 at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI
  17. 29 Mar 1988 at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI
  18. 01 Apr 1988 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  19. 02 Apr 1988 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  20. 04 Apr 1988 at Capital Centre, Largo, MD
  21. 05 Apr 1988 at Capital Centre, Largo, MD
  22. 12 Apr 1988 at The Summit, Houston, TX
  23. 13 Apr 1988 at The Summit, Houston, TX
  24. 15 Apr 1988 at Frank Erwin Center, University Of Texas, Austin, TX
  25. 17 Apr 1988 at St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO
  26. 20 Apr 1988 at McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO
  27. 22 Apr 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  28. 23 Apr 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  29. 25 Apr 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  30. 27 Apr 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  31. 28 Apr 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  32. 02 May 1988 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
  33. 03 May 1988 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
  34. 05 May 1988 at Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
  35. 06 May 1988 at Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
  36. 09 May 1988 at Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, MN
  37. 10 May 1988 at Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, MN
  38. 13 May 1988 at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN
  39. 16 May 1988 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  40. 18 May 1988 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  41. 19 May 1988 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  42. 22 May 1988 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  43. 23 May 1988 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  44. 11 Jun 1988 at Stadio Comunale, Turin, Italy
  45. 15 Jun 1988 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy
  46. 16 Jun 1988 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy
  47. 19 Jun 1988 at Hippodrome De Vincennes, Paris, France
  48. 21 Jun 1988 at Villa Park, Birmingham, England
  49. 22 Jun 1988 at Villa Park, Birmingham, England
  50. 25 Jun 1988 at Wembley Stadium, London, England
  51. 28 Jun 1988 at Stadion Feyenoord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  52. 29 Jun 1988 at Stadion Feyenoord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  53. 02 Jul 1988 at Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
  54. 03 Jul 1988 at Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
  55. 07 Jul 1988 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  56. 09 Jul 1988 at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England
  57. 10 Jul 1988 at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England
  58. 12 Jul 1988 at Waldstadion, Frankfurt, West Germany
  59. 14 Jul 1988 at St. Jakob Stadion, Basel, Switzerland
  60. 17 Jul 1988 at Olympia Reitstadion Reim, Munich, West Germany
  61. 19 Jul 1988 at Radrennbahn Weissensee, East Berlin, East Germany
  62. 22 Jul 1988 at Waldbuhne, West Berlin, West Germany
  63. 25 Jul 1988 at Idraetsparken, Copenhagen, Denmark
  64. 27 Jul 1988 at Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
  65. 30 Jul 1988 at Weserstadion, Bremen, West Germany
  66. 02 Aug 1988 at Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain
  67. 03 Aug 1988 at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

WAR was performed 19 times during the 20-date-long Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. The setlist for the 14 Oct 1988 show in Mendoza, Argentina, is unknown, and therefore the song may have been played on one additional date; this is very likely. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement.

List of Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour performances

  1. 02 Sep 1988 at Wembley Stadium, London, England
  2. 04 Sep 1988 at Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
  3. 05 Sep 1988 at Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
  4. 06 Sep 1988 at Nepstadion, Budapest, Hungary
  5. 08 Sep 1988 at Stadio Comunale, Turin, Italy
  6. 10 Sep 1988 at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
  7. 13 Sep 1988 at National Stadium, San Jose, Costa Rica
  8. 15 Sep 1988 at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
  9. 17 Sep 1988 at Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Canada
  10. 19 Sep 1988 at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA
  11. 21 Sep 1988 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  12. 23 Sep 1988 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
  13. 27 Sep 1988 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
  14. 30 Sep 1988 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
  15. 03 Oct 1988 at New Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece
  16. 07 Oct 1988 at National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe
  17. 09 Oct 1988 at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
  18. 12 Oct 1988 at Parque Antártica, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  19. 15 Oct 1988 at River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina

WAR was performed once during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000), on 16 May 1999 in Birmingham, England. The song was played in a full-band arrangement, and featured a guest appearance by Edwin Starr.

List of The Reunion Tour performances

  1. 16 May 1999 at The NEC Arena, Birmingham, England

WART was performed 6 times during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003), all in March 2003. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement.

List of The Rising Tour performances

  1. 02 Mar 2003 at Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
  2. 10 Mar 2003 at Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI
  3. 20 Mar 2003 at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, Australia
  4. 22 Mar 2003 at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia
  5. 25 Mar 2003 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
  6. 26 Mar 2003 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia

Available Versions

List of available versions of WAR on this website:

WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
WAR [Original The Temptations version]
WAR [Original Edwin Starr version]
Page last updated: 18 Nov 2023