The Music Of The World A Turnin'
The Seekers Lyrics


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I hear the music of the world a-turnin';
Can't you hear the sound of the world a-turnin'?
If you stop and listen, you can hear things grow;
You can have music wherever you go.
I hear the music of the world a-turnin';
There are some folks laughin'; there are some folks cryin'.
Kids playin' in the streets sound sweeter than a choir;
All you gotta do is listen to ...
Chorus:
Hear the music of the world a-turnin'
Can't you hear the sweet sound of the world a-turnin'.
If you stop, look, and listen, you can almost hear things grow;
You can have music wherever you go.
I hear a symphony of traffic in the city;
There are horns a-blowin'; there are heels a-clickin'.
Hear those ashcans rattlin' as the sun begins to rise;
All you gotta do is listen to ...
(Chorus)
Windgot a special song for each and every day;
It's got the waves a-dancin' and the thunder clapping.
Now, don't just ignore itСthere's a concert all around you;
All you gotta do is listen to ...




(Chorus)
You can have music wherever you go.

Overall Meaning

The Seekers' song "The Music of the World A Turnin'" is an ode to the beauty found in the everyday sounds of the world around us. The lyrics invite the listener to take a moment to stop and listen to the music of the world, to hear the laughter and the tears, the play of children, and the symphony of traffic, and to recognize that these sounds are themselves a kind of music. The song emphasizes the idea that music is not confined to concert halls or performance spaces but is all around us, and that by tuning into these sounds, we can find beauty in unexpected places.


The song's chorus, "Hear the music of the world a-turnin', Can't you hear the sweet sound of the world a-turning," is a call to action to the listener to open themselves up to the music of the world around them. The lyrics suggest that if we take the time to listen, we can hear the world "grow," as if the world itself is a living, breathing thing with its own rhythm and melody. This theme of interconnectedness and the idea that we are all part of a larger whole is a common thread in the Seekers' music.


Overall, "The Music of the World A Turnin'" is a song that celebrates the beauty of the world and invites the listener to engage with it in a more meaningful way. It encourages us to slow down, to listen, and to appreciate the music that is all around us.


Line by Line Meaning

I hear the music of the world a-turnin';
I am attuned to the vibe of the world, and I can sense the constant change in it.


Can't you hear the sound of the world a-turnin'?
Are you not capable of perceiving the rhythm of the world?


If you stop and listen, you can hear things grow;
When you pause and keenly listen, you can detect the small but significant changes that occur around you.


You can have music wherever you go.
It is possible to have a melodious experience anywhere you are, as long as you are receptive to the sounds around you.


There are some folks laughin'; there are some folks cryin'.
The world, like life, is comprised of both joyous and sorrowful moments.


Kids playin' in the streets sound sweeter than a choir;
Children playing outside make melodies more delightful than even the most harmonious choirs.


All you gotta do is listen to ...
All you need to do is lend your ear and be receptive to the music that surrounds you.


Chorus: Hear the music of the world a-turnin'
The refrain emphasizes that the sound of the world is ubiquitous and should be acknowledged.


I hear a symphony of traffic in the city;
The bustle of city life produces a rich and diverse range of sounds resembling a symphonic masterpiece.


There are horns a-blowin'; there are heels a-clickin'.
The cacophony of sounds includes car horns and the click of heels on pavement.


Hear those ashcans rattlin' as the sun begins to rise;
The start of a new day brings with it a fresh sonic arrangement, such as the sound of trash cans being shaken.


Windgot a special song for each and every day;
The wind creates a unique harmony every day, depending on factors such as weather conditions and terrain.


It's got the waves a-dancin' and the thunder clapping.
The breeze can manipulate the movement of water and even facilitate thunderclaps.


Now, don't just ignore itСthere's a concert all around you;
Do not disregard the sounds in your environment - it is a concert offering free entry.




Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Barry H.

The Seekers just make this song 'bounce' along , Judith Durham is fantastic.

Osvaldo Schilling

In an earlier comment hedwegg argues that the participation of the male singers in this very dynamic rendition is just to follow Judith´s singing and performance. The proof that this is not so can be obtained by watching the special solo tv show of Judith for the Australian TV, recorded some months later. This was probably the first major performance in her solo career and it is clear by comparison that the support from the male harmonies was badly missed. Note that I am not criticizing Judith´s admirable voice but the fact is that those four singers/musicians working together were indeed a very special group and the male harmonies ( work of Keith) were an essential part of their huge success. One thing is having a beautiful voice and singing like an angel, and a completely different thing is reaching the top of the music charts with high quality music. This later achievement was due to the Seekers as a GROUP, and should be widely recognized.

J Bidd

Maybe unfair to compare one recording of Judith with her history with the Seekers. In the years to follow she demonstrated a virtuoso solo ability, maybe unmatched by any other performer, and I believe you can see this in her jazz recordings as well as her many songs done in any number of different styles. Most of the songs I listen to (mostly on my iPod) are of her solo performances although I of course enjoy her with the Seekers as well. IMHO she really developed a superlative voice after the Seekers' breakup in 1968.

Osvaldo Schilling

@J Bidd Hi. In reality I have access only to what is available in youtube, which probably does not cover much of what Judith did between 1968 and 1993. In particular there was the fantastic "climb every mountain" album of 1971, which surprisingly never became a cd, and neither (?)was followed by other similar recordings. I have just watched the biographical movie on Elton John and it seems obvious that not moving to America had a tremendous effect upon how the Seekers have not received a wider recognition either as performers or in financial terms.

J Bidd

@Osvaldo Schilling Sorry for the late reply -- I hope you can view this. All the songs I have featuring Judith are taken off of YouTube, and there are dozens of them covering the years 1970 through 2014 (believe it or not!). Just for starters:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhtgK0IVAiE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POd4L64oG1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1-oyqSjOAQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub1YYKbqjE8 and finally, performed in 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18BeH4K6wb0 There are many more, all of them demonstrating how she developed into a one-of-a-kind talent.

Dan Esteviz

Their last TV performance before their break-up they really belt out this song what a great job

Emerald Liz

I love this song

corey wiley

I love this and can watch/listen to it many times in a row, but I do wish the video was fully in sync with the music. It seems all of the uploads on YouTube of this amazing performance are out of sync.

Oxel Hox

This is delightful!

Janko Mikac

Look at Keith Podger. He is truly enjoying in this song.

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