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.
Food
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
French fried potatoes and gulash. (Ooooh.)
Eggs over easy, asparagus spears,
Hot dogs and baked beans and sauerkraut.
Black-bottomed mushrooms and chicken pot pie,
Pink lemonade on the fourth of July.
(But there's one thing that we'd,)
(So we present our recipe,)
(And wish you well, for...)
(...we'll take,)
Two thirds cups of flour,
A teaspoon full of salt,
A quarter pound of butter,
Add an egg and blend it out.
Two squares of dark chocolate,
Walnuts, pot and sugar,
A teaspoon of bakin' powder,
Thirty minutes in the heat and it's over.
Teacuits, tomato soup, ham on rye.
Hot apple, pineapple sundae. (Hoooo!)
Honeydew, artichoke, hearts of lettuce,
Buttered bagels and lox, cream cheese, rhubarb. (Hoooo!)
Peanut butter sandwiches, English muffins.
Kumquats, berries, fish, steak and grapefruit.
... grits, parsnips,
...marmalade, shishkebab, turtle soup. 5
(Sound of a bottle top being popped and effervescence)
Well, those brownies ought to be just about ready now.
Why don't we go have one? Hmmmmm? I mean, really...
(More effervescence to fade)
The Turtles' song "Food" is a whimsical celebration of various foods, which lists different dishes and ingredients while conveying a sense of joy and enthusiasm for eating. The opening lines of the song present a wide range of foods, from hamburgers to spaghetti, asparagus, and chicken pot pie. These lines reflect the diverse and eclectic culture of American cuisine, with different dishes inspired by various cultures and traditions.
The second half of the song transitions into the recipe for a homemade treat, possibly brownies or a cake. The lyrics highlight a few essential ingredients, including flour, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, chocolate, and walnuts. This recipe section of the song introduces a sense of playfulness and creativity, with the band encouraging listeners to give the recipe a try and wishing them luck.
Overall, the lyrics of "Food" are light-hearted and fun, capturing the essence of American culture and the joy of food.
Line by Line Meaning
Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, spaghetti, rice,
Listing various food items.
French fried potatoes and goulash. (Ooooh.)
Listing various food items in a playful manner.
Eggs over easy, asparagus spears,
Listing more food items.
Hot dogs and baked beans and sauerkraut.
Listing more food items in a playful manner.
Black-bottomed mushrooms and chicken pot pie,
Listing more food items.
Pink lemonade on the fourth of July.
Listing a food item, in this case, a drink, and associating with a holiday.
(But there's one thing that we'd,)
Introducing the idea of a recipe to follow.
(Gladly doff our shells for,)
Writing a humorous line indicating the value of the recipe to follow.
(So we present our recipe,)
Introducing a recipe.
(And wish you well, for...)
Wishing the listeners well before presenting the recipe.
(...we'll take,)
Beginning a recipe, indicating the ingredients that will be used.
Two thirds cups of flour,
Listing a specific amount of flour.
A teaspoon full of salt,
Listing a specific amount of salt.
A quarter pound of butter,
Listing a specific amount of butter.
Add an egg and blend it out.
Adding an egg and mixing the ingredients.
Two squares of dark chocolate,
Listing a specific amount of dark chocolate.
Walnuts, pot and sugar,
Listing 3 additional ingredients that are needed.
A teaspoon of bakin' powder,
Listing a specific amount of baking powder.
Thirty minutes in the heat and it's over.
Baking for a specific amount of time.
Teacuits, tomato soup, ham on rye.
Listing various food items.
Hot apple, pineapple sundae. (Hoooo!)
Listing a dessert and showing excitement.
Honeydew, artichoke, hearts of lettuce,
Listing various fruits and vegetables.
Buttered bagels and lox, cream cheese, rhubarb. (Hoooo!)
Listing various breakfast foods and showing excitement.
Peanut butter sandwiches, English muffins.
Listing various snacks.
Kumquats, berries, fish, steak and grapefruit.
Listing various fruits, meat, and fish food items.
... grits, parsnips,
Continuing to list various food items.
...marmalade, shishkebab, turtle soup. 5
Listing additional food items including a reference to 'turtle soup' which is punny considering the Turtles are the ones singing.
(Sound of a bottle top being popped and effervescence)
Adding sound effects to the scene where the brownies are being taken out of the oven.
Well, those brownies ought to be just about ready now.
Commenting that the brownies are done cooking.
Why don't we go have one? Hmmmmm? I mean, really...
Suggesting to eat a brownie as a reward for going through the recipe.
(More effervescence to fade)
Adding more sound effects to indicate the end of the song.
Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.