Pearls Before Swine - Where Is Love [Demo] (1967)

Formed in 1965, this psychedelic folk band took their name from a verse in the Bible: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine...,” which basically meant not to give things to people who are unworthy or would not appreciate what you’ve given them. Coming out of Eau Gallie, Florida (now considered Melbourne, FL) the group was created by high-schooler Tom Rapp and his friends. Rapp has the honor of having inspired an Elton John hit-song. When Elton John and Bernie Taupin (Elton’s lyricist) wrote the song “Rocket Man,” it was because they had been inspired by Rapp’s song of the same name. Much earlier in life, Rapp also beat Bob Dylan in a talent contest in Rochester, Minnesota. At the age of six, Rapp came in third place, while "Bobby Zimmerman," Dylan, came in fifth.

This song was recorded on a tape recorder in somebody’s home in either 1967 or 1968. After being lost to time for many years, it reappeared for the 2004 compilation album, The Wizard of Is, which featured numerous home demos and unreleased tracks. Prior to the song’s release, Rapp couldn’t remember the song, though he was able to verify that it was him singing. He also verified that it was “Elisabeth and Wayne Harley singing harmony” and that it was a “really nice arrangement.”



Pearls Before Swine - Where Is Love [Demo] (1967)

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Lyrics:

The flower children
Have opened up their hearts
While the iron monster
Was eating up the parts
And the cowboy
Was gunning in the east

And where is love?
Where is love?
Where are you?

The mushroom people
Are working out a plot
They plan to steal tomorrow
If they don’t get caught
The silent accomplice
Rains on their every need

And where is love?
Where is love?
Where are you?

Madam S. reads fortunes
In bed, but nothing’s solved
She says that “God’s not dead
He just won’t get involved”
“But you,” she says, “can change the world
By merely reaching out”

And where is love?
Where is love?
And where are you?