Chart Position: 1
- Originally recorded by Turtles (1965)
- Written by P.F. Sloan
- Instruments: Wrecking Crew
- Produced by Lou Adler, Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan
- Recorded in Los Angeles CA
- This was an anti-Vietnam war anthem
- Barry McGuire is a former member of New Christy Minstrels and has acted in several films including The President’s Analyst (1967)
- McGuire’s vocal was only intended to be a rough take but the recording got into the hands of an LA DJ and the ensuing popular demand prompted the record label to issue the single without a more polished vocal
- McGuire read the lyrics off of a piece of paper
- Barry McGuire later became a contemporary Christian performer; he includes this song in concert but with updated lyrics
- This is Barry McGuire’s only #1 single
- Later recorded by Jan and Dean (1965), Grass Roots (1966), Dickies (1978) and Screaming Jets (1997)
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