Billy Paul, War of The Gods | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

Reading Time: 3 min read

In the 155^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “War of the Gods” by soul legend, Billy Paul.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 155^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “War with God”, performed by Billy Paul.

“The time has come, for bad things to end / The time has come for life to begin / The time has come for the war of the gods.” “War with God” ranks among the best songs from Ludacris’ 2006, Grammy-winning rap album Release Therapy. Why am I mentioning the southern rapper? Because his song served as my introduction to the Billy Paul soul classic, “War of the Gods”, which it samples. “War of the Gods,” the second track from War of the Gods (1973), in its entirety, runs north of 10 minutes in duration. The music is utterly sublime. Worth noting, a condensed, five-and-a-half-minute version, “War of the Gods (Part 1)”, appears as the seventh track.

On “War of the Gods,” Billy Paul reflects on the evil of the world. He makes it clear that Lucifer is NOT good, PERIOD! “Lucifer, oh Lucifer / God of evil, you’re the god of hate,” he sings, continuing, “We see you every day / Father of the lie / You made man die / Where the light shines / You run and hide.” Clearly, the world is running amok with hatred and toxicity. Men and women show themselves to be devilish ! Despite all the hell unleashed by Satan, Paul paints a portrait where “War of the Gods” will be won by God – good > evil, baby! “You know love conquers all,” he sings, continuing, “Will you stand, will you stand / Or will you fall.” In addition to the thought provoking theme and lyrics, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff construct an epic backdrop during the heart of that incredibly lush, Philly soul era in the 1970s. “Me and Mrs. Jones” will always be the song to beat, but “War of the Gods” is marvelous, marvelous, marvelous!