"Cold War" is a song recorded by American musician Janelle Monáe, released as the second single from her debut studio album The ArchAndroid (2010).

A fast-paced new wave and Afro-funk track with a futuristic feel, its drum pattern has received several comparisons to that of the 2000 single "B.O.B" by OutKast, whose member Big Boi was one of her mentors and was featured on "Tightrope".

The music video, consisting of a single shot of Monáe against a black wall and expressing various emotions as the song progresses, has been praised by critics as a unique piece of art.

[4][5][6] The song's drum track bears a similarity to that of the 2000 single "B.O.B" by OutKast, with whom Monáe has collaborated and whose member Big Boi was one of her mentors, helping her sign to Bad Boy Records.

[9] David D. of The Smoking Section found the lyrics to be about duality and "a cold war of inner strife ... that can be buried under smiles, electric guitars and up-tempo drum patterns".

[11] Dan Nishimoto of Prefix Magazine offered praise to "Cold War" for "replacing the memory of "Violet Stars Happy Hunting!"

"[13] Several music critics, such as PopMatters's Quentin B. Huff, NOW's Jason Keller and Allmusic's Andy Kellman, labelled "Cold War" as the top track on The ArchAndroid.

Katie Hasty of HitFix called it a "fascinating little artifact of time",[18] Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork said that it was "worth a watch",[19] and Robbie Daw of Idolator opined that Monáe "reaffirms the fact that she's one of the more unique, if not daring, artists out there at the moment".

Monae performed a shortened version of the song as part of a three-song medley (alongside musicians B.o.B and Bruno Mars) at the 53rd Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011.