The Turtles were an American pop/rock band led by vocalists Howard Kaylan a… Read Full Bio ↴The Turtles were an American pop/rock band led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, a duo later known as Flo & Eddie. The band became notable for several Top 40 hits in the 60s, beginning with their version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965. The band scored their biggest and best-known hit in 1967 with the song "Happy Together". Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965, the band was renowned for their both joyously melancholic and occasionally cheeky sound, always being good-natured.

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.

Can I Get To Know You Better
The Turtles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everybody says "Be strong" but I just can't take it
Every time I look at you, I feel funny inside, yeah
I've been meaning to ask you this for such a long long time

CHORUS:
Can I get to know you better?
Got to get to know you better
Can I get to know you better tonight?

I know that you think of me as just a friend
But you don't know how friendly I can be, yeah
I want so much to prove my love; baby, give me half a chance

Can I get to know you better?
Got to get to know you better
Can I get to know you better tonight?
I know that you think of me as just a friend
But you don't know how friendly I can be, yeah
I want so much to prove my love; baby, give me half a chance

Now I don't think I can go another day without you (Without tou)
One little kiss will tell me what I wanna know 'bout you
It ain't gonna hurt you; come on baby

Can I get to know you better?
Got to get to know you better
Can I get to know you better tonight?
I know that you think of me as just a friend
But you don't know how friendly I can be, yeah

I want so much to prove my love; baby, give me half a chance
(repeat & fade)

Overall Meaning

The Turtles’ “Can I Get To Know You Better” is a love song that speaks of an individual who has been enamored with someone for a long time. The singer has been wanting to ask the person they are interested in to get to know them better but just can’t seem to express their feelings. They feel funny inside whenever they look at this person, and they want to prove their love if given a chance. The lyrics highlight the feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability that one goes through when confessing their love to someone who they see as just a friend.

The lyrics of “Can I Get To Know You Better” speak to a universal experience of falling in love with someone and being unsure about how to express it. The singer in the song is paralyzed by their intense feelings for the person they desire, and it’s through the chorus that they express their desire to get to know them better. The lyrics are relatively straightforward, and the message is a simple one: the singer wants to take their friendship with this person to the next level.

In conclusion, The Turtles’ “Can I Get To Know You Better” is a classic love song that still resonates with people today. The song’s timeless message and melody have made it a favorite among fans of the genre. The lyrics speak to a universal experience of dealing with the uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with expressing one's feelings to someone they care about.

Line by Line Meaning

Everybody says "Be strong" but I just can't take it
Despite being encouraged by others to be strong, I find it difficult to do so when I am around you.

Every time I look at you, I feel funny inside, yeah
Whenever I see you, I experience inexplicable emotions that I can't quite describe.

I've been meaning to ask you this for such a long long time
I have been wanting to ask you this question for a very long time now.

Can I get to know you better?
May I have the opportunity to get to know you more deeply?

Got to get to know you better
It is imperative that I get to know you better.

Can I get to know you better tonight?
Would it be possible for me to get to know you better tonight?

I know that you think of me as just a friend
I am aware that you consider me to be only a friend.

But you don't know how friendly I can be, yeah
You don't realize how much kindness and affection I am capable of showing you.

I want so much to prove my love; baby, give me half a chance
I have a strong desire to demonstrate my love for you, and I hope you will allow me even a small opportunity to do so.

Now I don't think I can go another day without you (Without tou)
It has become unbearable for me to spend even one more day without you in my life.

One little kiss will tell me what I wanna know 'bout you
One small kiss would allow me to understand and learn more about your feelings for me.

It ain't gonna hurt you; come on baby
Requesting a kiss from you won't cause you any harm, so please consider it.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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