Look around, it may seem like we’re on the eve of destruction or some kind of Biblical reckoning (fires, war, hints of World War III, a felon in the White House). Then again, that is not a unique feeling, one certainly shared in the early 60’s (nuclear war, anyone) and late 60’s and early 70’s (war, riots, assassinations, an unconvicted felon in the White House).
P.F. Sloan wrote this song as a kind of prayer made possible by the likes of Dylan, Baez and Phil Ochs. The Turtles released it first without making much of an impact. A friend brought the song to producer Lou Adler who convinced a reluctant Barry McGuire to record it. McGuire had been a member of the New Christy Minstrels and wanted to forge a solo career.
The song struck a nerve. Some radio stations refused to pay it, claiming it supported the enemy in Vietnam. Banning a song (or a book) is guaranteed to help sales. In 1965, it rose to number one of the Billboard charts.
It’s heavy handed and a bit over-emoted by McGuire, but had some lasting power. One line became part of the push to lower the voting age:
“You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’”
#Songoftheday #spreadinghappiness #eveofdestruction #barrymcguire #louadler
YouTube: https://youtu.be/_38SWIIKITE?si=nINHh4B4TJtP40UK
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1Zi2ezNOqt9y9irC11xYpN?si=fff28c8cf1254641