Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedWar
Soul1970s109BPM
B majKey
More around 110 BPM → · More in B major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Whitfield & Strong), no formal rights dispute found — the post-9/11 Clear Channel no-play listing is a censorship footnote, not a rights matter. Connects to “Psychedelic Shack” (this batch).
Quick Facts
Released1970
AlbumWar & Peace
GenreSoul, Funk, R&B, Psychedelic Soul
LabelGordy / Motown Records
ProducerNorman Whitfield
Recorded atDetroit
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Motown/Gordy; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A much-covered protest standard (Grammy Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame); connects to “Psychedelic Shack” and the Funk Brothers thread (Dennis Coffey, Bob Babbitt) in this catalogue.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no rights dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The Temptations first recorded “War” for that album (this batch)
Written as the subtler political outlet after “War” was deemed too risky for the group (this batch)
Shared Funk Brothers session players (already in this catalogue)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
Reassigned to protect the group’s imageMotown feared an explicitly anti-Vietnam message would alienate the Temptations’ more commercially conservative fanbase — Edwin Starr, without a superstar reputation to protect, had comparatively little commercial risk in taking the more provocative material. Starr has said he felt lucky to get it and believed in its message.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A post-9/11 no-play list
This was one of 161 songs placed on a controversial no-play list circulated by Clear Channel Communications to its stations after the September 11, 2001 attacks — a censorship footnote, not a rights matter. No lyrics reproduced.
Wikipedia · read it →
The Funk Brothers thread
Percussionist Jack Ashford played the distinctive tambourine, alongside bassist Bob Babbitt and guitarist Dennis Coffey — in this catalogue via “Scorpio” and “Psychedelic Shack.”
Songfacts · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A #1 protest standard (Grammy & Rock Halls of Fame)
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
WA
Whitfield & Strong / Motown
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 15)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass