As a folk-rock solo singer in the 1960s, McGuire is best known for his hits "Eve of Destruction" and "Sins of the Family", both written by P.F. Sloan, as were his other chart successes, "Child of Our Times" and "Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Raindrops)." The latter two were co-written by Steve Barri.
McGuire's LP, The Eve of Destruction reached its peak of #37 on the Billboard album chart during the week ending 1965 September 25. That same day the single of that name went to #1 on both charts. McGuire was never again to break into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The album This Precious Time was released in 1966, his second with Dunhill Records. It includes a version of California Dreamin' with The Mamas and the Papas singing backing vocals.
McGuire appeared in the 1967 movie The President's Analyst with James Coburn and in Werewolves on Wheels in 1971. He also starred for a year in the Broadway musical Hair.
McGuire became a born-again Christian in 1971. In 1973, he joined the Myrrh label and released the album Seeds. This album is also notable for the backing vocals provided by the family trio that would become known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts. In 1974, McGuire released his second Contemporary Christian album Lighten Up, which included a remake of "Eve of Destruction". He toured with 2nd Chapter of Acts and "a band called David" and in 1975 this collaborative effort resulted in the live double album To the Bride.
In 1976, he left Myrrh, joining former Myrrh executive Billy Ray Hearn's new label Sparrow Records. He recorded seven albums on Sparrow, the best known of which is Cosmic Cowboy, released in 1978. That year he also released a top-selling children's album Bullfrogs and Butterflies for Sparrow's subsidiary label Birdwing.
Seeds Of Love
Barry McGuire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the lovetrain rides from coast to coast
D.J.'s the man we love the most
Could you be, could you be squeaky clean
And smash any hope of democracry?
As the headline says you're free to choose
There's egg on your face and mud on your shoes
One of these days they're gonna call it the blues
Anything is possible - Sowing the Seeds of Love
I spy tears in thier eyes
They look to the skies for some kind of divine intervention
Food goes to waste!
So nice to eat, so nice to taste
Politician Grannie with your high ideals
Have you no idea how the Majority feels?
So without love and a promise land
We're fools to the rules of a Goverment plan
Kick out the style! Bring back the jam!
Anything...
Sowing the Seeds
The birds and the bees
My girlfriend and me in love
Feel the pain
Talk about it
If you're a worried man - then shout about it
Open hearts - feel about it
Open minds - think about it
Everyone - read about it
Everyone - scream about it!
Everyone
Everyone - read about it, read about it
Read in the books in the crannies and the nooks there are books to read
!
(Mr. England Sowing the Seeds of Love)
Time to eat all your words
Swallow your pride
Open your eyes
High time we made a stand and sup the views of the common man
And the lovetrain rides from coast to coast
Every minute of every hour - " I Love a Sunflower "
And I believe in lovepower, Love power, LOVEPOWER!!!
Sowing the Seeds
An end to need
And the Politics of Greed
With love
The opening lyric, "High time we made a stand and sup the views of the common man" suggests a need to connect better with the people and their concerns. The reference to the lovetrain ridng from coast to coast suggests that love is the unifying force that can bring people together. The DJ is cited as the most loved person, which implies the music industry has a vital role to play in connecting with the masses.
The artist then asks whether the Government is clean and pure enough to not undermine democratic principles. The lyrics, "There's egg on your face and mud on your shoes" imply that the Government has been caught in a web of deceit, and the people are becoming more aware of it.
The phrase, "Sowing the Seeds of Love," implies that love is the answer to the problems the world faces. The artist warns that one day, the world will be fully consumed by the blues, which may refer to the feeling of disappointment and hopelessness. The song asserts that when people put love first, everything is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
High time we made a stand and sup the views of the common man
It's important to take a stand and listen to the opinions of ordinary people.
And the lovetrain rides from coast to coast
Love is universal and knows no boundaries.
D.J.'s the man we love the most
Disc Jockeys have a lot of power to influence people's taste in music.
Could you be, could you be squeaky clean
Are you truly innocent?
And smash any hope of democracry?
Do you want to destroy democracy?
As the headline says you're free to choose
The media may give you the impression that you have freedom of choice.
There's egg on your face and mud on your shoes
You've made a mistake and you're embarrassed.
One of these days they're gonna call it the blues
One day, the suffering of the people will be acknowledged.
And anything is possible when you're Sowing the Seeds of Love
Love has the power to do anything.
Anything is possible - Sowing the Seeds of Love
Love can accomplish the impossible.
I spy tears in thier eyes
I see that they're crying.
They look to the skies for some kind of divine intervention
They're hoping for a miracle.
Food goes to waste!
Food is being wasted unnecessarily.
So nice to eat, so nice to taste
Food is one of life's pleasures.
Politician Grannie with your high ideals
Elderly politicians with lofty goals.
Have you no idea how the Majority feels?
Do you understand the needs of the majority?
So without love and a promise land
Without love and a place to call home,
We're fools to the rules of a Goverment plan
We will blindly follow the government's plan.
Kick out the style! Bring back the jam!
Stop worrying about popularity and bring back the good music.
The birds and the bees
Sexual reproduction in animals.
My girlfriend and me in love
My girlfriend and I are in love.
Feel the pain
Acknowledge and understand the suffering of others.
Talk about it
Open up conversation and discuss the issue at hand.
If you're a worried man - then shout about it
If something's bothering you, speak up and let your voice be heard.
Open hearts - feel about it
Be empathetic and feel compassion for others.
Open minds - think about it
Be open-minded and think critically.
Everyone - read about it
Encourage everyone to read and educate themselves on current issues.
Everyone - scream about it!
Encourage everyone to make their voices heard.
Everyone
Every single person.
Everyone - read about it, read about it
Keep up with the news and stay informed about the world.
Read in the books in the crannies and the nooks there are books to read!
There are books to read everywhere, even in obscure places.
(Mr. England Sowing the Seeds of Love)
A reference to a person who is spreading love and positivity.
Time to eat all your words
It's time to acknowledge that you were wrong.
Swallow your pride
Set aside your ego.
Open your eyes
Be aware of what's happening around you.
Every minute of every hour - "I Love a Sunflower"
We should appreciate the little things in life.
And I believe in lovepower, Love power, LOVEPOWER!!!
The power of love is real and can change the world for the better.
Sowing the Seeds
Spreading love and positivity.
An end to need
The end of poverty.
And the Politics of Greed
Stop the greedy and selfish behavior of those in power.
With love
The solution to these problems is love.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.