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Eve of Destruction

26 Apr 98 - 09:46 AM (#26536)
Subject: Eve of Destruction
From: Painter99@hotmail.com

I'm trying to find the lyrics to the song Eve of Destruction by Bob Dylan.

One of the Record companies lists it but even the Bod Dylan site has no reference to it.

Perhaps it is listed under another name. If you know the name or lyrics pleas e-mail them to me.

Also I'm preparing a theme to teach my students about prophesy and I'm like them to analyze the lyrics to the song.

If you have any suggestions as to the meaning, history or interpretation of the song please contact me.

Thanks Painter

26 Apr 98 - 10:51 AM (#26539)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Will

Hi, Painter. 'tweren't Dylan's song, which is why you can't find it on Dylan sites. But I'm blanking on whose song it was. Maybe Barry McGuire, unless that was "Are you going to San Francisco?", an equally iconic song of the times.

26 Apr 98 - 10:55 AM (#26540)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Will

Ah, here it is.

EVE OF DESTRUCTION, Barry McGuire, 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!
Tehn take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space,
but when your eturn, it's the same old place,
the poundin' of the drums, th 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.

26 Apr 98 - 10:58 AM (#26541)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Will

fyi, I found the "Eve" lyrics from a posting that found them at the lyrics.ch site, which seems to have a bunch of popular stuff (http://www.lyrics.ch)

26 Apr 98 - 03:30 PM (#26563)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Frank in the swamps

I once heard an excellent spoof of this song, I don't know who did it but it was something like......

I'm an Adman, I know what I'm saying,

you're hair's getting grey and your teeth are decayin'

you're getting old & decrepit, etc. etc.

And you tell me over & over & over again my freind,

that you don't believe, you're on the eve of destruction.

If I recall correctly, the guy had a lot of products to sell.

Frank.

27 Apr 98 - 07:26 PM (#26668)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: John in Brisbane

There is also a right wing response to this song titled 'Dawn Of Correction'. I have never heard it sung, but I do have the lyrics - somewhere. Will try to find but will be out of town for the next couple of weeks.

28 Apr 98 - 01:45 AM (#26714)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Joe Offer

I believe Barry McGuire was also the songwriter and lead singer on "Green, Green," recorded by the New Christy Minstrels. In the 1970's, he was born again, and recorded a little ditty called "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" (they've both been born again).
I have a Barry McGuire "Anthology" CD, and it's pretty good but a bit overly dramatic. It does not give names of songwriters, but I recognize "Masters of War," "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," and "Baby Blue." No wonder McGuire sounds like Dylan to Painter.
-Joe Offer-

28 Apr 98 - 01:58 PM (#26764)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Joe Offer

Now that I've listened to the Barry McGuire Anthology again, I'd like to revise my evaluation. Let's call it "bad, but an interesting curiosity." If somebody wanted to rate it simply "awful," I might not disagree.
Will, that was Scott McKenzie who did "Are You Going to San Francisco?" The song was written by John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas, and I think McKenzie has worked as a replacement Papa off and on through the years (a surrogate Papa?????).
-Joe Offer-

28 Apr 98 - 03:41 PM (#26780)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Will

Thanks, Joe. It all comes back. Well, some of it anyway.

28 Apr 98 - 05:07 PM (#26795)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Earl

I'm pretty sure that "Eve of Destruction", though recored by Barry McGuire, was written by P.F. Sloan. Sloan was a professional songwriter who cut his teeth on surf music and was able to catch the next big wave, social protest.

28 Apr 98 - 09:35 PM (#26821)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Sir

The Temptations of Motown fame also had a song about the evils of the day called "Eve of Destruction" in the late 60's.

28 Apr 98 - 10:56 PM (#26831)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Joe Offer

Most astute, Earl. I goofed. Words and music were by Phil F. Sloan, 1965, apparently with help on the music by Steve Barri. McGuire recorded it and it hit #1 on the charts. The Turtles recorded in 1970, presumably with less success.
-Joe offer-

29 Apr 98 - 12:14 AM (#26837)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Earl

I looked it up. They also wrote the Turtle's "You Baby" as well as songs for the Grassroots, the Searchers and Herman's Hermits. "Dawn of Correction" was recorded by the Spokesmen who were two former members of Danny and the Juniors. It's not clear who wrote that one.

19 Nov 04 - 05:15 AM (#1332070)
Subject: RE: Eve of Destruction
From: Cluin

The Turtles actually recorded it first in `65 (it was on their first album released in Oct 1965) but didn't release it as a single until much later in 1970 when it was a hit for them. Barry McGuire recorded it shortly after the Turtles did in the fall of `65 and DID release it as a single then and had his hit with it first.

Some stuff about it.