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.
It Was A Very Good Year
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for small town girls
And soft summer nights
Wed hide from the lights
On the village green
When I was seventeen
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for city girls
Who lived up the stair
With all that perfumed hair
And it came undone
When I was twenty-one
When I was thirty-five
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Of independent means
Wed ride in limousines
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five
But now the days grow short
I'm in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
from fine old kegs
from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year
It was a mess of good years
The Turtles’ song “It Was a Very Good Year” is a nostalgic reflection on the different stages of life and love that the singer experienced. The song follows a chronological order beginning from the age of 17 and ending with the present time of the singer's autumn years. The song has three stanzas, with each stanza representing a different phase of the singer's life, and each featuring the women he loved during that time.
The first stanza highlights the singer's teenage years, describing it as a “very good year” for small-town girls and soft summer nights. The mention of the village green suggests a sense of innocence and simplicity during this time in his life. The second stanza tells us that when he was 21, his experiences were vastly different in the city, with its glamorous high rise apartments, and alluring city girls with perfumed hair. The third stanza depicts the singer's experience at the age of 35. This age signifies maturity and the singer’s encounters with wealthy "blue-blooded girls of independent means" whose lifestyles and financial statuses differ from his previous encounters.
The final stanza is where the singer reflects on his past experiences, acknowledging that although he is now in the autumn of his life, he thinks of his life as vintage wine from fine old kegs. The wine poured “sweet and clear”, symbolizing the wonderful memories of his past experiences. The passage of time is inescapable, but his memories of those “very good years” will always be treasured.
Overall, the song is filled with nostalgia and bittersweet memories of the women that the singer loved throughout his life. It highlights how people's experiences and the different people they encounter throughout their lives shape them in profound ways. The song's melody and lyrics intensely capture the essence of the different phases of life, the people we encounter, and the memories we create.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was seventeen
At the age of seventeen, life was simple, optimistic and care-free.
It was a very good year
Life was exciting, enjoyable and fulfilling.
It was a very good year for small town girls
Girls from the small towns were especially attractive and appealing.
And soft summer nights
The summer nights were comfortable and serene.
Wed hide from the lights
The lights only reminded us of the expectations and pressures we were too young to handle.
On the village green
The communal gathering places were still special and significant.
When I was twenty-one
At twenty-one, life had moved to bustling cities and new experiences.
It was a very good year for city girls
City girls were vivacious and lively with a unique energy.
Who lived up the stair
City life can be cramped and small, so many people live up the stair of apartment buildings.
With all that perfumed hair
City girls would be recognized by the smells of their chosen perfumes.
And it came undone
Everything didn't always go as planned, despite our best attempts.
When I was thirty-five
At thirty-five, life had progressed to luxury and material wealth.
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Wealthy, high-class girls were especially desirable.
Of independent means
These blue-blooded girls had the resources and independence to live life to the fullest.
Wed ride in limousines
Limousines were the ultimate symbol of wealth and luxury.
Their chauffeurs would drive
Those with wealth had others to do the work for them.
But now the days grow short
With age comes an awareness that life is finite.
I'm in the autumn of the year
This is a metaphor for being in the later years of life.
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
Life is a complex mixture of flavors and experiences, like a fine wine.
from fine old kegs
Experiences from long ago have aged and matured like fine wine barrels.
from the brim to the dregs
All aspects of life have been lived to the fullest, from the best to the worst.
And it poured sweet and clear
Life overall has been enjoyable and full of richness.
It was a very good year
All of these years collectively have made for a fulfilling and satisfying life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ervin Drake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christurner4381
It is a bit too short but still love it! Originally heard this on Rock and Roll Trivia show on 2JJ with Glenn Baker about 1980. Picked it up on LP in Sydney not long after!
@INGBWLer
It's the best version I ever heard!
I found it again on my Tapes from the sixtees.
This version has the really lifepulse!
@liampaniak9461
I have the LP but not this specific 45. It was apparently a hit in Canada. Very good!
@michaelscondotto8122
So awesome.
@DRIVEIN101
I just heard this great version for the first time on the radio a few days ago...I called the station to find out who it was and when the DJ said it was by The Turtles from their first album, I ran to one of the local vintage record shops and picked it up (It's the Rhino reissue, which will suffice until I come across a nice copy of an original on White Whale).
@zhoulijun6296
Yeah great version. Keeping that haunting vibe. Howard Kaylan.. a great singer. James w
@RepriseFan
The story goes Sinatra was driving and heard the Turtles version on the radio, pulled off the road and called composer Gordon Jenkins to compose a new version for him. To say Jenkins did a masterpiece would be an understatement. To me this is the greatest ballad ever. This is the very first time I've heard the Turtles version, probably kept short for radio play.
@daveeberhardt4380
The Sinatra biographies state it was the Kingston Trio's version he heard in his car. The Kingston Trio first recorded this song in 1961.
@KenSwiatek
a great example of a folk-rock - ification of a song.
@scatoni
THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE