"Eve of Destruction" lyrics

[villager]

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.

Song Lyrics: "Eve of Destruction"
Recorded by: "Barry McGuire"
Written by: (P.F. Sloan)
Album: "Eve of Destruction" - 1965



http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/lyrics/eve_of_dest.html


listening to it now on KPIG:

http://www.kpig.com/

[distantearlywarning]

1. Guess nothing much has changed, eh? n/t

[villager]

2. Alas.

n/t

[roughsatori]

13. I was too young when that was a hit and some call it a cash in on "youth culture"

But I love that song. It ranks with Sonic Youth's "Candle," and Dory Previn's Reflections in a Mud Puddle (Taps/Tremors/and Time Steps): Goosebumps.

Check this old poem out for how words stay relevant:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3063336

[Clear Blue Sky]

3. History repeats itself.

Or to quote another song, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"....

[katty]

4. an oldie/badie, still relevant

[bamademo]

5. When this song came out I never heard it on the radio

Of course, I was in Huntsville, Al. I don't know how but I managed to get my hands on a copy of the 45 as well as the record Society's Child by Janice Ian. Powerful stuff that made an impression on a 11 year old precocious child.

[villager]

6. You're exactly the reason "they" know that art "needs" to be censored!

People - even (especially?) young ones -- are prone to "unauthorized, spontaneous" reactions...!

;-)

[noonwitch]

7. I first heard it on "The Greatest American Hero"

There was an episode where some loons were going to run a train full of nuclear waste into downtown Bakersfield or something to that effect. The aliens who gave Mr. H his suit warned him by using that song.

[dawgman]

8. I absolutely love that song.

My parents were big folk music fans so I listened to it alot on cross country car rides and learned to love it.

That song is absolutely wonderful.

[dawgman]

9. I love that song.

I was raised on folk music.

[LanternWaste]

10. Although it's an absolutely outstanding song...

Although it's an absolutely outstanding song, I can't help but picture Larry Underwood sitting outside of burning Des Moines, IA singing the same every frikkin' time I hear it. (Imagery courtesy of the mini-series 'The Stand')

[Theres-a]

11. Same here.

And now Bob Marley reminds me of Will Smith.

[BrotherBuzz]

12. Barry McGuire is still singing that song with updated lyrics

I heard him on a PBS pledge drive special. He added one or two lines that took us into post 911. Wish I could remember the lines. The song is every bit as strong today as it was back then, although Barry doesn't deliver it with raw anger of yesteryear.

[roughsatori]

14. I was too young when that was a hit and some call it a cash in on "Youth Culture" in 65

But I love that song. It ranks with Sonic Youth's "Candle," and Dory Previn's Reflections in a Mud Puddle (Taps/Tremors/and Time Steps): Goosebumps.

Check this old poem out for how words stay relevant:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3063336

Sorry that this is a repeat. I posted in reply to the wrong post. My excuse. I have only started posting again after more than 3 years. I've go to download that song now. Thanks for the inspiration.
:toast: