Eve of Destruction
Barry McGuire
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The eastern world, it is explodin', Violence flarin', bullets loadin', You're old enough to kill but not for votin', You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin', And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin', But you tell me over and over and over again my friend, Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. Don't you understand, what I'm trying to say? And can't you feel the fears I'm feeling today? If the button is pushed, there's no running away, There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave, Take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy, And you tell me over and over and over again my friend, Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin', I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin', I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation, Handful of Senators don't pass legislation, And marches alone can't bring integration, When human respect is disintegratin', This whole crazy world is just too frustratin', And you tell me over and over and over again my friend, Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. Think of all the hate there is in Red China! Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama! Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space, But when your return, it's the same old place, The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace, You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace, Hate your next door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace, And you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend, You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. No, no, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
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Written by: P. F. Sloan, Steve Barri
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Release Date"Eve of Destruction" was released by Barry McGuire in 1965.
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Written ByThe song was written by P. F. Sloan, a singer-songwriter who penned many hits in the 1960s.
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ContentThe lyrics of "Eve of Destruction" are a protest against various international issues prevailing during the 1960s, including civil rights, the Vietnam War, and the nuclear arms race.
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SuccessThe song was a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in September 1965.
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ControversyDue to its explicit anti-war sentiments, "Eve of Destruction" faced bans from various broadcasting networks. Some radio stations refused to air it, terming it as too controversial.
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Music GenreThe song "Eve of Destruction" is an example of folk rock music genre.
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Cover VersionsOver the years, "Eve of Destruction" has been covered by numerous artists, including The Turtles, The Dickies, and Bob Dylan.
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Effect on Music IndustryThe success of the song paved the way for more politically-charged protest songs to hit the mainstream.
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AssociationThe song is often associated with the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
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RecognitionRolling Stone magazine placed "Eve of Destruction" at No. 45 on its 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Use in MediaThe track was used in movies and TV shows, like "The Trial of the Chicago 7", "Mad Men", and "Call of Duty: Black Ops".
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Music VideoA official music video was released in 2013, nearly 48 years after the song was first released, showing images from the 1960s highlighting political and social issues the song was initially protesting against.
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AlbumThis protest song is a part of the album named “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire.
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Citation
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"Eve of Destruction Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Oct. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/21042968/Barry+McGuire/Eve+of+Destruction>.
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