3. “Eve Of Destruction,” Barry McGuire (1965)

3. “Eve Of Destructi on,” Barry McGuire (1965)

Barry McGuire’s version of “Eve Of Destruction” may be the best known, but was far from inevitable. The song was written by P.F. Sloan, rejected by The Byrds, and recorded by The Turtles (among others) before landing with McGuire, whose rough first take was released as a single and became a controversial hit. The song isn’t only about nuclear annihilation; McGuire growls a roll call of issues related to wars both cold (“you may leave here for four days in space”) and hot (“you’re old enough to kill but not for votin’”). They all add up to an unmistakable end game: “If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away.” Today, the song sounds both melodramatic (“my blood’s so mad, it feels like coagulatin’”) and a little calculated (give us some of that Bob Dylan feeling!). But there’s also an earnest immediacy to it, owing in part to that quick, no-frills vocal take. It also turns on a titular phrase that has become sadly evergreen. The specific threats described in the song may have faded, but the feeling of imminent doom still resonates. In keeping with the song’s long history of covers, indie band Bishop Allen recorded an effective reimagining of it in 2003. [Jesse Hassenger]