10 Greatest Anti-war Songs In Rock
7. Bonzo Goes To Bitburg - Ramones (1985)
Although this wasn't a song directly protesting a particular war, it was a visceral and very real reaction to how governments conduct themselves in the wake of wars, as if they were seemingly fought for nothing.
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan was on a diplomatic visit to Germany. It was marked by the 40th anniversary of the ending of World War II and, as a token of respect to the fallen, Reagan intended to pay his respects at concentration camp as well as a cemetery of German soldiers.
Not wanting to offend the Germans, however, Reagan skipped the concentration camp altogether and instead visited a burial ground that contained members of the SS. The SS had committed some of the worst atrocities of the war, including the murder of millions of Jews. This move by Reagan caused outcry across America.
Joey Ramone, who was Jewish, responded in the only way he knew how; he wrote one of the greatest punk rock songs of all time. "Bonzo" is of course Reagan and the song expresses the feelings of contempt for him during that period.
It spoke of the wider helplessness felt by the general public as they watched their president conduct foreign affairs with little regard for those who had been effected by the war.