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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire

Written in 1965, this is one of the first of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.  And how it did change the world.  If you aren't affected by this song, you better go see a doctor because you aren't alive.  If you weren't alive at the time this song was out, the lyrics pretty much give it away that the song is out of the 1960's, a time when the Baby Boomer generation was coming of age, noticing the problems of the world around them, and demanding change.

"Eve of Destruction"
by Barry McGuire

Written by P.F. Sloan

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, 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?
Can't you see the fears that 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 you 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-neighbour, 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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