Greetings, Friends —
For some reason I have been listening to Barry McGuire’s version of “The Eve of Destruction” lately. Though the song was made popular in the 1960’s, it resonates with me today. The song references social issues of that period including the Vietnam War, the draft, the threat of Nuclear War, the Civil Rights Movement, turmoil in the Middle East, and the American Space program. Its controversial lyrics caused it to be banned from some radio stations. (Hmmmm…banning sounds familiar, doesn’t it?) As I listen to it, I think of some of our own social and political issues.
McGuire said later that the song had been recorded in one take with him reading lyrics scrawled on a crumpled piece of paper. That version had NEVER been intended to be the final version, but it leaked out and became popular. In September, 1965, it was #1 on the USA Billboard Hot 100 & #3 on the UK Singles Chart.
If you look at the Wikipedia article about the song, you will see that things mentioned in the song refer to events that were happening in the world at the time. A few generalities: Race riots, War, John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
We have come a long way since the 1960’s, or have we? (I don’t think so!). As I listen to the lyrics, they seem relevant to our world today as well. It was written in 1965. It is now 2025. Many of the same issues face the world.
This week I would like you to contemplate the song and think about the title “Eve of Destruction.” Write a poem about something or some things today that come to mind. Or write about the opposite — "Morn of Creation” or “Morn of Restoration.” Or more simply — write either a poem about destruction or restoration.
In conclusion I will share another version of the song. It was the first version I watched / listened to, but I decided on the other one to share first because you could see Barry McGuire.
After you have written your poem, please link it below, and visit the poems of others who link. Mr. Linky will close next Sunday night at 8 pm Eastern.
