Eve Of Destruction

Eve of Destruction
By: Barry McGuire

Gabriel Melgarejo
Mr. Yourman
APUSH
5 March 2015
Eve of Destruction The song, “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire, was released in 1965 as a result of the controversial subjects that were emerging in American society. It released its peak of popularity in the same year in which it was released, and on September 25th, it become number one on the top 100 billboard charts (Yardley). To put in context, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) made a breakthrough with Ranger 8, which was a lunar probe, by capturing potential landing sites on the moon for the Apollo astronauts. To synthesize, the civil rights movement is present during the struggle for gay/lesbian rights, with the protest made in 1993(March on Washington) where they demanded for equal rights. This song speaks on the issues in the U.S. during the time of the Vietnam War, specifically towards the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement is present in this song when McGuire explains the issue on minorities struggling to gain their rights (blacks). He says, “...Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama- You may leave here for four days in space- But when you return its the same old place” (31-33). This shows the problems of how blacks were struggling during this era for equal rights, such as voting. Selma, as seen in the song, was the key town in which African Americans sought to gain their voting rights where they started a march to Selma in order to gain attention from president Lyndon Johnson (Yardley). The lines also explain how the issues of the civil rights movement were not easily changed when he talks about how if you leave for space for a few days, that the problems in America have still stayed the same. The efforts of the civil rights movement is also present in the song when McGuire says, “And marches alone can’t bring integration” which also alludes to the March on Washington, in 1963, where blacks petitioned for equal jobs and freedoms and attacked the political/social injustices (“March on Washington”). This demonstrates that during this time, the U.S. focused more on controlling the spread of communism in Vietnam, as opposed to solved social issues in America. The civil rights movement in evident in this song as seen in the voting right efforts in Selma and the allusion to the March on Washington. The reason I chose “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire, is because it portrays a huge problem that has been present in American society for hundreds of years (black rights/freedoms). It is a good example of how difficult this movement was because of the racist people who believed blacks did not deserve the same rights. Also, I like how McGuire criticizes the U.S. by mentioning the voting rights law of having to be 21 or older to vote. He makes a valid point when he says that the soldiers are old enough to kill, but not old enough to vote, showing that it’s unfair that men could participate in the army (by killing), but are unable to voice their opinion in their country (voting polls). In short, I chose this song because it ultimately sheds light to some of the controversial issues that are present during the Vietnam War.

Works Cited

Barri, Steve. "Barry McGuire Lyrics." AZLyrics - Song Lyrics from A to Z. N.p., n.d. Web. 5
Mar. 2015. <http://www.azlyrics.com/>.
History.com Staff. "March on Washington." History.com. A+E Networks, 12 Nov 2009. Web. 5
Mar 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington>.
Yardley, Jonathan. "‘The Eve of Destruction: How 1965 Transformed America’ by James T.
Patterson." The Washington Post. N.p., 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2F>.

Cited: Barri, Steve. "Barry McGuire Lyrics." AZLyrics - Song Lyrics from A to Z. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2015. <http://www.azlyrics.com/>. History.com Staff. "March on Washington." History.com. A+E Networks, 12 Nov 2009. Web. 5 Mar 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington>. Yardley, Jonathan. "‘The Eve of Destruction: How 1965 Transformed America’ by James T. Patterson." The Washington Post. N.p., 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 5 Mar. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2F>.