The Protest Singer
1966 · Treva 222 · Hollywood, California
- Artist
- Don Hinson
- Title
- The Protest Singer
- Release
- The Protest Singer / Peddlers of Hate
- Year
- 1966
- Label
- Treva # 222
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Hollywood, California, USA
- Songwriter
- K. Johnson, D. Hinson
- Genre
- Country · Country
- Primary theme
- US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs
Annotation — McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs
The song "The Protest Singer" (Treva # 222), released on a Hollywood, California label - but no further details known of this artist - took an anti-protest position, mocking musicians who wake up and "look around until I find something that is wrong", and then write a song, which included the major issues of the day: "I sing about Vietnam, ban the bomb, end the war", as well as Civil Rights: "I sing about segregation, integration, demonstration, legislation". It referenced Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", suggesting the protest singers were in it for the money: "I want to make my fortune before destruction's eve, long as people pay, I hope the problems stay". The song also denounced hippie culture, often presented in song as a youth movement, related to psychedelic music, drugs use (e.g. LSD and marijuana), long hair (both men & women), jeans, flairs, pop art, free love (sex, love-in), travelling, spirituality: "can't take my time to comb my hair, shave or take a bath". Also note the reference to the KKK, and the US president Lyndon B. Johnson. Again, the song "The Peddlers of Hate" took an anti-protest position, accusing its participants of being negative: "perhaps they'll…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Civil Rights Songs
The song "The Protest Singer" (Treva # 222), released on a Hollywood, California label - but no further details known of this artist - took an anti-protest position, mocking musicians who wake up and "look around until I find something that is wrong", and then write a song, which included the major issues of the day: "I sing about Vietnam, ban the bomb, end the war", as well as Civil Rights: "I sing about segregation, integration, demonstration, legislation". It referenced Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", suggesting the protest singers were in it for the money: "I want to make my fortune before destruction's eve, long as people pay, I hope the problems stay". The song also denounced hippie culture, often presented in song as a youth movement, related to psychedelic music, drugs use (e.g. LSD and marijuana), long hair (both men & women), jeans, flairs, pop art, free love (sex, love-in), travelling, spirituality: "can't take my time to comb my hair, shave or take a bath". Also note the reference to the KKK, and the US president Lyndon B. Johnson.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
American novelty singer, best known for the 1964 monster-novelty recordings with Don Hinson and the Rigamorticians ('Riboflavin-Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood'); co-wrote and recorded the protest-response 45 'The Protest Singer' / 'Peddlers of Hate' (Star-Burst S-B-126, 1965, reissued on Treva 222, 1966; tipped in Billboard, January 1966), later anthologised on 'Twisted Tales From the Vinyl Wastelands'. [Source: Discogs / 45cat]
Themes
Patriotic · Anti-Protest · Demonstration · LBJ · Civil Rights · Atomic · KKK · Answer to Eve of Destruction
In collections
McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs · Civil Rights Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs