Eve of Destruction
Krystyna posed on this pile of rubble in Lviv, Ukraine. She is wearing low-rise denim jeans and a denim jacket, and a cropped top that exposed her midriff. Whether it is on the Eve of Destruction or post-Apocalypse, teenage girls will want to be fashionable and in-style.
Today’s youtube is Eve of Destruction. The song was written by 19-year-old P.F. Sloan in 1965. It was recorded by Barry McGuire. The protest song was written as America’s involvement in the Vietnam War was expanding. At the same time, there were fears of nuclear annihilation because of the Cold War, there were race riots in American cities over civil rights and racial integration. People thought that thee world was about to come to an end.
Here is Barry McGuire singing the song on the American television show Hullabaloo in 1965. It is interesting that the song is introduced by Jerry Lewis, who is dressed to look like Buddy Love from The Nutty Professor.
Here is a version of Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire 43 year later. Perhaps the song is as relevant today as it was in 1965.
Barry McGuire: EVE OF DESTRUCTION
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.