Originally getting together as The Ragamuffins in 1965, they changed their name the next year. Their debut album, (Turn On) The Music Machine, was released in 1966 on the Original Sound label. Seven of the 12 tracks were originals, written by vocalist Sean Bonniwell.
One of the songs, Talk Talk, recorded at RCA studios on July 30, 1966, became a Top 20 hit in the U.S. The track is the ultimate spew of garage angst, its tortuous chord changes complemented by pounding electric keyboards, snaky Asiatic guitar, and Bonniwell's unforgettable guttural howl. It was the Los Angeles band's only high-charting 45, but from '66 to the end of the decade, they released much fine garage-psychedelia, with Bonniwell's tormented visions, hard rock melodic hooks, and alternately gravely/crooning vocals to the fore.
The follow-up single, "The People In Me," peaked at #66. Bonniwell blamed the weak showing on a supposed feud between the band's manager and a top record executive. Four cover songs were included on this release, due to record company pressure.
After a promotional tour of the U.S., the rest of the original lineup, which included Ron Edgar (drums), Mark Landon (guitar), Keith Olsen (bass) and Doug Rhodes (organ), left Bonniwell due to internal conflicts. In 1967, The Music Machine (essentially only Bonniwell at this point) was signed to Warner Bros. and renamed The Bonniwell Music Machine. A self-titled LP was released that year, made up mostly of previously recorded songs with the original lineup. The recording spawned no big hits, despite the inclusion of a few more pop-oriented songs.
A third album was recorded but never released. In 2000, a Bonniwell Music Machine album called "Ignition" was released on Sundazed Records. This is a collection of songs from the unreleased 1969 album, as well as demo tracks from the band's Raggamuffin days in 1965.
In 2000, Bonniwell wrote about his life and The Music Machine in a biography called "Beyond The Garage," published by the small press publisher Christian Vision.
Talk Talk
The Music Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's an only child
Concernin' my reputation
As something more than wild
I know it serves me right
But I can't sleep at night
Have to hide my face
Or go some other play-ay-ay-ay-ay-ace
I won't cry out for justice
Admit that I was wrong
I'll stay in hibernation
'Til the talk subsides to gone
My social life's a dud
My name is really mud
I'm up to here in lies
Guess I'm down to size
To size
Can't seem to talk about
The things that bother me
Seems to be
What everybody has
Against me
Oh, oh, all right
Here's the situation
And how it really stands
I'm out of circulation
I've all but washed my hands
My social life's a dud
My name is really mud
I'm up to here in lies
Guess I'm down to size
To size
Talk talk
Talk talk
Talk talk
Talk talk
The Music Machine's song Talk Talk is a reflection on how gossip and rumors affect the singer's life, causing them to become a social outcast. The first stanza suggests that the singer has done something controversial that has ruined their reputation, resulting in their inability to sleep at night due to the shame and fear of being exposed. The singer acknowledges that they deserved the situation but still hides their face as they struggle to move on from their indiscretion.
The second stanza shows the singer's perception that everyone is against them, and they cannot seem to talk about the things that bother them. They have become disillusioned, and their social life is in shambles, leading them to stay in hibernation until people stop talking about them. The repetition of the words "talk talk" emphasizes the constant chatter that surrounds the singer and showcases how it's become a pervasive force that consumes their life.
The song's message is timeless as it speaks to the human experience of being embroiled in scandal and the effects of gossip on people's psyche. The Music Machine captured the essence of this phenomenon with their unique psychedelic punk sound, making it a classic song that's still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
I got me a complication
I have a problem in my life.
And it's an only child
My problem is unique and one-of-a-kind.
Concernin' my reputation
It's related to my image and how others perceive me.
As something more than wild
My reputation is not that of a regular, ordinary person, but as someone who is wild and out of control.
I know it serves me right
I acknowledge that I deserved this problem.
But I can't sleep at night
I'm troubled by it and can't rest.
Have to hide my face
I feel ashamed and embarrassed.
Or go some other play-ay-ay-ay-ay-ace
I need to escape from the situation and go to some other place.
I won't cry out for justice
I won't demand fairness.
Admit that I was wrong
I won't confess to the wrongdoing.
I'll stay in hibernation
I'll retreat and avoid social interaction.
Til the talk subsides to gone
Until the rumors and gossip stop.
My social life's a dud
I have no social life and it's depressing.
My name is really mud
My reputation is ruined.
I'm up to here in lies
People are spreading lies about me and I can't keep up with them.
Guess I'm down to size
I have been humbled and brought down to a lower level.
Can't seem to talk about
I can't discuss my problems openly with others.
The things that bother me
The issues that are troubling me.
Seems to be
It appears that
What everybody has
Everyone else has
Against me
Is working against me.
Here's the situation
This is how things are.
And how it really stands
It's the truth and no longer hidden.
I'm out of circulation
I'm not active in social circles anymore.
I've all but washed my hands
I've given up trying to fix the situation.
Talk talk
People keep talking and spreading rumors.
Talk talk
The rumors are getting worse.
Talk talk
It's all people are talking about.
Talk talk
The gossip won't stop.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edwin James Hollis, Mark David Hollis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RockmannCRX
Got to see these guys play live a couple of times during this period, they sounded just like the record live. Sean Bonniewell was a magic dude at that time as the video shows... the Voice, the visual Persona....Way ahead of his time... It's such a shame that apparently they got ripped off by their manager and broke up after this first album. Heaven only knows what they could have done with proper management and proper backing by the record company.....
matt walker
In 1966, when I was in the third grade, a classmate named Jack Radford invited me over to his two-story house on Park Place Boulevard. I had started playing the guitar, and Jack had a drum kit. He pulled out a 45 single by The Music Machine, called "Talk Talk," and gingerly placed the needle in the grooves. My mouth dropped as I listened to the loud, distorted, jangled representation of musical instruments, along with the most inhuman growling that ever passed for lead vocals. It was the coolest sound I ever heard, even cooler than the Beatles. Jack sat on the bed with his eyes closed, his hands loosely gripping his drum sticks, and started flailing away at a pillow. I was transfixed. These guys were ten years ahead of their time. They were the first punk band ever, and they were ten years ahead of the Ramones.
oceantracks
matt walker They really were groundbreaking on this record. Super release!
oceantracks
They certainly were one of the first punk style bands, but don't forget Paul Revere and the Raiders with "JUST LIKE ME"...some of these bands just don't get enough credit...
Brian Bednarek
Cool!!!
michael sheffield
matt walker one of the best garage songs
Rod Mcdonough
The drummer is outstanding. Amazing that a band in 1966 had a drummer like that
Steve Groot
The first time I heard this song was in 1986 on a local radio station. I honestly thought it was a brand new song and I loved it. I was really upset because they didn’t say the group or song title afterwards. I kept waiting to hear it again because I just knew it would be a hit. I never did. It took me 20 years searching Spotify to find it. It’s just the coolest song ever. Way ahead of its time.
Debra Weaver
Yes! It was representative of "heavy metal" ...... and just....."GROOVY" sounds!
Dale
The first time I heard this song was on Alice Coopers Flush the Fashion album in 1981.