Whitcomb formed his R&B group Bluesville in Dublin, Ireland. He never had a hit in the U.K. and wasn't all that wild about rock & roll in the first place, preferring traditional forms of blues, ragtime, and Tin Pan Alley. His song "You Turn Me On" -- a tongue-in-cheek three-chord knockoff at the end of a session with exaggerated falsetto vocals and an unforgettable orgasmic vocal hook -- hit number eight in America in 1965, and Whitcomb was briefly a star. The bluesy follow-up, "N-N-Nervous," was a small hit, and that was the end of Whitcomb's hit-making days.
Not much of a rock & roll singer, Whitcomb quickly turned to vaudevillian, British music hall-styled material on his subsequent releases, with meager commercial (and artistic) results. A dedicated archivist, Whitcomb's book, After the Ball, is a thorough history of pre-rock popular music forms.
Turn on Song
Ian Whitcomb Lyrics
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Come on now honey, you know you really turn me on
And when, and when you do
Uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song
Come on now baby, come on and do the jerk with me
Come on now honey, come on and do the jerk with me
And if, if you do
Come on now baby, you know you really turn me on, ah
Come on now honey, you know you really turn me on, ah, yeah
And when, and when you do
Uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song
Let's go!
Ian Whitcomb's song "You Turn Me On" is a classic example of a rock 'n' roll song from the mid-1960s. The opening lines "Come on now honey, you know you really turn me on" set the tone of the song as a plea for love and affection. The repetition of the phrase highlights the singer's desire and also creates an infectious rhythm. The line "And when, and when you do, uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song" further emphasizes the connection between love and music.
As the song progresses, the singer urges his partner to dance the jerk with him. The jerky, rhythmical movements of the dance mirror the pulsating beat of the music. The repetition of the phrase "Come on now honey, come on and do the jerk with me" is a call to action and is designed to create excitement and energy.
The final verse repeats the opening lines, but with slightly more emphasis. The word "ah" is added to the end of the last line, which suggests a deeper level of longing and desire. The final exclamation "Let's go!" is a call to action and an invitation to dance.
Overall, "You Turn Me On" is a catchy rock 'n' roll song that captures the excitement and energy of the mid-1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on now honey, you know you really turn me on
My desire for you is strong and prevalent.
And when, and when you do
Uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song
Your actions evoke a positive emotional response within me.
Come on now baby, come on and do the jerk with me
Come on now honey, come on and do the jerk with me
And if, if you do
Uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song
I am requesting for us to engage in a certain dance, and if you oblige it will bring me joy.
Come on now baby, you know you really turn me on, ah
Come on now honey, you know you really turn me on, ah, yeah
And when, and when you do
Uh huh, huh, huh, uh, uh, that's my song
I am emphasizing how strongly attracted I am to you, and how your actions affect me emotionally.
Let's go!
I am eagerly anticipating continuing to spend time with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ian Whitcomb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roncolept
Grew up with a juke box in our basement, and I would play this song endlessly, dancing like all the dancers I would see on the TV music shows. What a blast!
@wrigleyville
Ron Cole, this should have been #1 the second it was released. Love this one!
@tomc8617
You can't be serious??
@tomlynntigard
You don't have to be a spaz to dig it!
@patrickryan1515
Takes me right back to lazy summer days of 1965, and it always put a smile on my face. 6/2018
@fayekramer8314
I love this song the first time I heard it. And I still love it!
@chucksmith5687
Like most Brits in the Invasion they emanated what they heard coming across the Atlantic Ocean from U.S. This rhythmic riff was Jimmy Reeds claim to fame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgwXQgjEwWo
@tomc8617
Seriously?
@hidenseek4889
Still love this tune after all these decades. Puts me in a good mood.
@elleboucher
Yes, it always puts a smile on my face.