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Eve of destruction

słowa i muzyka: Barry McGuire, P.F. Sloan
(Recorded by, © 1965 MCA Records Inc. Written by „P.F. Sloan” Release Date: 01/01/1965)

The eastern world it tis 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 fear that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away,
There'll be noone to save with the world in a grave,
take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy,
but 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,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.

Barry McGuire (born 15 October 1935) is an American singer-songwriter best known for the hit song „Eve of Destruction”, and later as a singer and songwriter of Contemporary Christian Music.

McGuire was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and moved to California in early childhood. At age 16 he joined the United States Navy, but was discharged ten months later for being under age.
After working as a commercial fisherman, and then going onto become a journeyman pipe fitter, at age 25 McGuire got a job singing in a bar. In 1961, he released his first single called „The Tree”, which was not a hit, and formed a duo with Barry Kane. They both joined the New Christy Minstrels in Spring 1962. In 1963, McGuire along with Randy Sparks (the founder of the New Christy Minstrels) co-wrote the Christys' first and biggest hit single: „Green, Green.” He left the Christys in January, 1965, after recording the album, Cowboys and Indians; however, on the 1965 album Chim Chim Cher-ee, he sang only on the title cut.
[edit] Solo career
As a folk rock solo singer in the 1960s, he was best known for his hits „Eve of Destruction” and „Sins of the Family”, both written by P.F. Sloan. His other chart successes, „Child of Our Times” was co-written by Steve Barri, and „Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Raindrops)” was penned by Travis Edmonson of 1960's folk-duo, Bud & Travis.
McGuire's LP, The Eve of Destruction, reached its peak of #37 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart during the week ending 25 September 1965. That same day the single of that name went to #1 on both charts. McGuire was never again to break into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. According to McGuire, „Eve of Destruction” was recorded in one take on a Thursday morning (from words scrawled on a crumpled piece of paper) and then he got a call from the record company at 7:00 the next Monday morning, telling him to turn on the radio - his song was playing. The recording includes an „ahhh” where McGuire couldn't read the words.[1] The Temptations referenced McGuire's song „Eve of Destruction” in their song „Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)”. For other references and covers of „Eve of Destruction” see the article: „Eve of Destruction”.
The album This Precious Time was released in 1966, his second with Dunhill Records. It includes a version of „California Dreamin'” with The Mamas & the Papas singing backing vocals. McGuire is mentioned several times in The Mamas & the Papas hit, „Creeque Alley”. Frank Zappa wrote McGuire's name in the sleeve of his Freak Out! album (1966) as one of his musical influences.
McGuire appeared in the 1967 movie, The President's Analyst with James Coburn as the character, „Old Wrangler,” and in Werewolves on Wheels in 1971. He also starred for a year in the Broadway musical Hair.
McGuire became a born-again Christian in 1971 after a brief encounter with evangelist Arthur Blessitt in October 1970.[2] In 1973, he joined the Myrrh label and released the album Seeds. This album is also notable for the backing vocals provided by the family trio that would become known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts. In 1974, McGuire released his second Jesus Music album Lighten Up, which included a remake of „Eve of Destruction”. He toured with 2nd Chapter of Acts and „a band called David” and in 1975 this collaborative effort resulted in the double live album, To the Bride.
In 1976, he left Myrrh, joining former Myrrh executive Billy Ray Hearn's new label, Sparrow Records. He recorded seven albums on Sparrow, the best known of which is Cosmic Cowboy, released in 1978. That year he also released a top-selling children's album Bullfrogs and Butterflies (part of the Agapeland series) for Sparrow's subsidiary label, Birdwing.
In 1978, he also toured England, Scotland, and Wales with the Jimmy Owens' musical „The Witness”, in which he played the part of the apostle Peter. His acting and singing in the musical was considered very inspiring. Also, the voice of Peter on the „Witness” album is his.
 

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