Global conflicts continue to flare up worldwide, making the week surrounding Veterans Day a reminder of the tolls of war and the importance of honoring those who served.
Local Spins revisited its ultimate Veterans Day playlist featuring 12 songs of sacrifice, war, and pleas for peace, which stands as one of the publication’s top playlist submissions of all time, Local Spins reported.
The musical collection moves through decades of reflection on military service. Bruce Springsteen released “Born in the U.S.A.” in 1984 as an anthem about a returning Vietnam War veteran that continues to serve as a call to action to comfort returning troops.
Jason Isbell penned “Dress Blues” in 2007 about Marine Cpl. Matthew D. Conley, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. The Zac Brown Band later covered the poignant tribute to the nation’s military.
Dire Straits released “Brothers in Arms” in 1985, featuring Mark Knopfler’s guitar work and the closing lines: “Let me bid you farewell / Every man has to die / But it’s written in the starlight and every line in your palm / We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms.”
Metallica recorded “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in 1984, capturing a frightening milieu inspired by a novel about the Spanish Civil War. The Decemberists released “This is Why We Fight” in 2011 on the album The King is Dead.
Big & Rich released “8th of November” in 2005. The Vietnam War-era track tells the story of the first living black man to receive the Medal of Honor since 1898.
The accompanying music video was introduced by veteran, songwriter, and singer Kris Kristofferson, who passed away recently, and earned a Grammy Award nomination. The Chicks released “Travelin’ Soldier” in 2002, a classic about the death of a soldier and the loved ones grieving their lost heroes.
4TH25 recorded the music for “Live from Iraq” in Iraq in 2016, with a video reflecting the frightening realities of deployment. Jimi Hendrix released “Machine Gun” in 1970, utilizing his virtuosity to recreate the sounds of bombs, helicopters, and machine guns alongside a brutal lyrical assessment of a soldier’s plight.
Cat Stevens released “Peace Train” in 1971, decrying hate while proclaiming positivity. Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” in 1971, featuring the lines: “We don’t need to escalate, you see, war is not the answer; for only love can conquer hate; you know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today.”
Elvis Costello recorded “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” in 1974, spitting out Nick Lowe’s lyrics demanding harmony in the darkness of insanity.
Billy Strings released “Carry Us Home” in 2026, featuring references to a stockade and a riderless horse symbolizing a fallen warrior during Veterans Week.
