Originated from a surf rock group called the Crossfires, the Turtles delved into many genres such as breezy pop, psychedelic music, and folk rock. A precursor to the bubblegum pop of the late 60s and early 70s as well as a foil to the more self-consciously hip and "serious" acts of the era, the Turtles produced at least a dozen memorable, radio-friendly chart singles. Yet they remain best known for 1967's "Happy Together", which was their only chart-topping single.
The Turtles wound down their career in 1970.
The two prominent singers - Howard Kaylan ("Eddie") and Mark Volman ("Flo" a.k.a. "Phlorescent Leech") - collaborated with Frank Zappa for a short but very intensive period of one and a half years (between 1970-72) and were the cornerstone of what was known to be the Zappa "Vaudeville" band; two of the most famous achievements of that period being the albums Fillmore East – June 1971 and 200 Motels, the soundtrack of the film by the same name.
Buzz Saw
The Turtles Lyrics
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The Turtles's song "Buzzsaw" is a great example of a classic '60s garage rock tune that combines catchy, upbeat music with dark and gritty lyrics. The lyrics of the song paint a picture of a man who spends his days working as a lumberjack, cutting down trees with a buzzsaw. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the man is not just cutting down trees, he is also using his buzzsaw as a weapon to destroy everything in his path. The lyrics suggest that this man is consumed by rage and violence, and that his buzzsaw has become a symbol of his destructive nature.
One of the most interesting aspects of "Buzzsaw" is the way the lyrics are delivered. The lead singer of The Turtles, Howard Kaylan, doesn't just sing the lyrics—he spits them out with a raw intensity that perfectly captures the anger and desperation of the lumberjack. The use of distorted guitar and driving drums adds to the sense of urgency and violence in the song, creating a powerful sound that perfectly matches the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Small-headed man talkin' on the street
There's a man with a narrow perspective loudly expressing his opinions in public
Watcha doin', brother, ya can't compete
He's belittling someone by implying they are inferior and unable to measure up
He's got a buzzsaw runnin' in his head
This small-minded man's brain is like a buzzing saw, constantly churning out negative and aggressive thoughts
He's got a buzzsaw runnin' in his head
The repetition of this line emphasizes the intensity and relentlessness of his negative mindset
He's got a buzzsaw runnin' in his head
The artist is not only describing this man's mental state, but also suggesting that it's dangerous to interact with him
Small-minded man, he's got a saw in his hand
The man is not only verbally aggressive, but also physically threatening
Wanna be startin' something all around the land
He takes pleasure in starting conflicts and causing chaos, not just in his immediate surroundings, but everywhere
He's got a buzzsaw runnin' in his head
Repeating this line reinforces the idea that this man is mentally unstable and dangerous
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL NICHOL, HOWARD KAYLAN, JIM PONS, JOHN BARBATA, MARK VOLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind