Think It Over

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

Double-sided single by obscure artist Richard Gillis - unknown location - although label may have been Los Angeles, California-based - with both songs containing responses to Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", taking an anti-protest and patriotic perspective on the war and protest movement of the 1960s. The song "Think It Over" (Kerwood Records # 713) criticised McGuire: "on the eves of the so-called destruction and correction, dump off with it all and get some direction". He attacked other well-known protest artist, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan: "Joan Boaz... playing her guitar and blocking the stairs, messing with the government that let's her sit there", and "Bob Dylan, he sings... bout axes and winds that's blowin' our way... saying defense don't pay", which, according to the artist, could lead toward another Pearl Harbor bombing. He also attacked the Berkley free speech movement: "you free speechers in Berkely... are you up there to learn or to swear?". Moreover, the lyrics 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: "you grow beards, don't wash, and talk like a clown... sing your protest songs with your long hair and tight pants". Ironically, while sung to a garage tune, his singing is almost a copy-cat of Bob Dylan, while several part of the song are incoherent to the ear.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: It's Joan Boaz, with her straight black hair / Playing her guitar and blocking the stairs / Messing with the government that let's her sit there / Well if that's what she wants, let her sing it over there / Think it over... / You peace marchers walk, you talk, and sit down / You grow beards, don't wash, and talk like a clown / Write letters against the men who lay down their lives... / Think it over... / You free speechers in Berkely try to make the world care / That you couldn't say what you want or print it up there / Well I've got a question, I think that it's fair / Are you up there to learn or to swear? / Think it over... / Bob Dylan, he sings in his ? calling way / Bout axes and winds that's blowin' our way / He's banning the bomb, saying defense don't pay / They sang the same song right up the Pearl Bay / On the eves of the so-called destruction and correction / Dump off with it all and get some direction / Stop worrying about bomb planning / Peace marching and complexion / Just mind your own business, that's the action / Think it over... / Sing your protest songs with your long hair and tight pants / Play electric guitars for young ladies to dance / You only got one life, you only get one chance / Until the world ?... makes no sense / Think it over

Notes

Kerwood Records 713-A / 713-B; "Think It Over" (GB-69), 2:38, and "Yesterday's Gone" (GB-70), 2:58, both Anastasia Music (BMI); distributed by Malynn Enterprises, Inc. No writers printed. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Presumed to be Richard Gillis, American singer, songwriter and composer, born 15 December 1938 in Hollywood, California, died 31 July 2019 in Thousand Oaks, California; discovered by director Sam Peckinpah while performing at Jason's Steakhouse in Toluca Lake, he wrote and sang songs for 'The Ballad of Cable Hogue' (1970, incl. 'Butterfly Mornings') and contributed music to films including 'A Boy and His Dog' and 'Convoy', following U.S. Army service and behind-the-scenes film work. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter obituary / Rotten Tomatoes bio / Discogs]

Themes

Patriotic · Anti-Protest · Joan Baez · Bob Dylan · Demonstration · Anti-Hippie · Atomic · Answer to Eve of Destruction

In collections

McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs · Garage Rock Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]