10 Greatest Anti-war Songs In Rock
8. Civil War - Guns N' Roses (1993)
Use Your Illusion I and II divided hardcore Guns N' Roses fans back when it was released. Both albums were a departure from the pure hard rock energy of Appetite For Destruction, but they displayed a refined and more mature aspect to the bands song writing.
Axl Rose proved his ability to write hard hitting rock ballads with November Rain, Don't Cry and of course Civil War. The track was a brilliant demonstration of the bands ability to handle serious subject matters while still rockin' hard. The lyrics presented all and any conflict as "civil war"; referencing the death of J.F. Kennedy, America's involvement in Vietnam and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Axl led his listener to the conclusion that all the infighting around the world only serves to prop up the already powerful. Those who fight for the causes of governments are the pawns in a global game of chess and the sooner we as society reject the rhetoric of patriotism, nationalism and all those other false ideas the world might find a way to peace.
It was a grandiose sentiment for a man who had made his name singing about the debauched lifestyle of the LA music scene.