Eve Of Destruction

Annotation — McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs

The song "Eve of Destruction" (Dunhill Records # 45-D-4009), written by P.F. Sloan is a very topical, early protest song, looking at both the Civil Rights movement and war. It was one of the most commercially successful Vietnam songs, reaching #1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 on 25 September 1965 after six weeks in the charts. (1). The song was covered by many other artists, and is often referenced in articles and books discussing Vietnam & Cold War cultural song history. On 14 August 1965, Billboard ran the headline "Record of Absurd Gets Serious Airplay", which commented that "a record depicting the frenetic plight of society today, written with biting incisiveness by a 19-year-old renegade from surfing music, is gaining acceptance over top 40 stations despite its 'controversial' lyrics... what is so remarkable about the single is its acceptance... During the past two year, three other singles of a controversial or sociological nature were refused play by U.S. stations". The main reference to Vietnam reflected that while teenagers were drafted to war (minimum age 18), they may not have the opportunity to vote (21 in all states but 4): "old enough to kill, but not for votin'". It…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Civil Rights Songs

The song "Eve of Destruction" (Dunhill Records # 45-D-4009), written by P.F. Sloan is a very topical, early protest song, looking at both the Civil Rights movement and war. It was one of the most commercially successful Vietnam songs, reaching #1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 on 25 September 1965 after six weeks in the charts. (1). The song was covered by many other artists, and is often referenced in articles and books discussing Vietnam & Cold War cultural song history. On 14 August 1965, Billboard ran the headline "Record of Absurd Gets Serious Airplay", which commented that "a record depicting the frenetic plight of society today, written with biting incisiveness by a 19-year-old renegade from surfing music, is gaining acceptance over top 40 stations despite its 'controversial' lyrics... what is so remarkable about the single is its acceptance... During the past two year, three other singles of a controversial or sociological nature were refused play by U.S. stations". The main reference to Vietnam reflected that while teenagers were drafted to war (minimum age 18), they may not have the opportunity to vote (21 in all states but 4): "old enough to kill, but not for votin'". It…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Born 15 October 1935, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Currently Fresno, California, USA.

Themes

Anti-War · Draft · Atomic · Cold War · Answer to Eve of Destruction

In collections

McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs · Civil Rights Songs · Draft Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs