Love And War

Background

"Love And War" is a  military-veteran-themed song co-written by country artist Brad Paisley and John Fogerty. It was released on Paisley's collaboration album of the same title in April 2017. The song denouncing America's treatment of veterans is the first where Fogerty shares songwriting credits since 1969. 

Paisley had the idea for Fogerty for quite awhile because he thought Fogerty speaks for the generation better than him (Interview with Brad Paisley, ABC News Radio, April 21, 2017). 

Without anything ready in advance, Fogerty travelled to Paisley's farm in Williamson County outside Nashville to write and cut the number in Easter 2016. Other guests on the farm recording their parts of the album at the same time included Mick Jagger. During the three days session Fogerty also side tripped to Grand Ole Opry for the first time (Interview with Brad Paisley, Rolling Stone, April 20, 2017). 

The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and at No. 13 on the US Billboard 200.

Music video

The music video of "Love And War" was shot at the USS Midway in San Diego, California, on April 10, 2017. Illustrations of the video includes the kissing statue, "Unconditional Surrender", in front of the battleship. Fogerty’s 15-year-old daughter Kelsey also makes an appearance in the video, holding her father’s photo and offering him a hug. The video premiered on Entertainment Tonight in the USA on April 20, 2017. The special edition featuring the video version of the album was made available via Apple Music on April 28.

Live versions

Fogerty and Paisley performed the song live in a surprise concert at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, after the release event on April 23, 2017. They also delivered an unplugged version at another album release event in Los Angeles a couple of days later. Fogerty made a return to the USS Midway to perform the song with his band in another surprise concert on June 8, 2017. 

Paisley and Fogerty also played "Love And War" on Jimmy Kimmel Live on November 6, 2017. The TV concert was taped at the parking lot of the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro, California, on October 26, 2017.    

Fogerty added the song to his concert repertoire during his residency in Las Vegas in May 2017. The debut was witnessed at Encore Theatre at Wynn on May 19.  He has delivered the song in his concerts in North America only. "Love and War" wasn't heard during the Euro Tour in summer 2017.   

Critical reception

"The --- title track is a blistering criticism of typical “support the troops” pandering. Paisley and Fogerty tackle the issue head on in a song that doesn’t pull any punches. You won’t find any “fighting for our freedom” euphemisms. “They send you off to die for us and forget about you when you don’t,” they sing. It’s brilliant. It’s also among the darker lines you’ll hear on a Paisley record." -Jeremy Burchard, Wide Open Country, April 20, 2017. 

"The oft-repeated line - delivered equally well in Fogerty's trademark rasp and Paisley's pure country drawl -- "They send you off to die for us / Forget about you when you don't'' is a heartbreakingly poignant and accurate lament on the way today's veterans are treated. Having Fogerty on the tune, sharing vocal chores and guitar riffs, is not much short of genius. It gives weight to a song that already tips the scales towards fantastic." -Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer, April 26, 2017. 

"--- John Fogerty joins in for a spiritual sequel to CCR’s “Fortunate Son” that shames the VA for letting down vets with some gut bucket rock that is a damn good look amid the otherwise fluffy sentiments around it." -Robert Ham, Paste, May 5, 2017. 

Fans' views

"Having listened to this song a few more times over a few more days, I think it's better than most of the numbers on his WASFE duet album and one of John's best "modern" songs. I feel like the song is tighter, has cool guitar solos and steel guitar parts that mesh well, and does not waste any time getting its point across. Also, the harmonies between the two singers, to my surprise, are spot-on perfect and they do not sound like two entirely different vocal styles. Both men keep their identity in this song. John sounds especially great vocally. I will say that the lyrics and the overall message is somewhat simplistic and cliche. I think those attributes are more a feature of Brad Paisley's songwriting than Fogerty's. John, of course, does write in simple terms, but I feel when he does, he manages to pack more punch with his words whereas Brad is just "simple." Overall, a really good song."

"The lyrics are not very interesting but It's a solid song in its style. Then again that's the main problem for me. I really don't care much about the slick modern country pop that Paisley and other country stars do. There are some pretty cool guitar parts, but the fiddle and steel guitar stuff in the background is boring and doesn't add much to the song. I hope John will soon do something rawer and more interesting by himself."

"I was pleasantly surprised. I am one of John's biggest supporters, but also one of his biggest critics. I'll have to listen to it a few more times, but it doesn't have the punch that...let's say "Mystic Highway" did when I first heard it."

"Something a bit more rockin would have been better."

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