This 1965 folk rock single, despite being banned in parts of the US and in Scotland, rose to #1 on the charts in the US, UK, Canada and Norway, #2 in Ireland and #6 in Germany, and was placed on a restricted list by the BBC.
It was recorded in one take and never intended for release. Vocals by BarryMcGuire and musical accompaniment by the Wrecking Crew.
The song references social issues of its period, including the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the draft, the threat of nuclear war, the Civil Rights movement, turmoil in the Middle East, and the American space program.
This song played a role in the creation of the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution.
