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.
Lady O
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At your feet
With hope that's made of sand
It don't think you can
But you have held it all in your hands
Verse 2 (strings enter):
I've been trying hard to keep from needing you
My heart just rolled and flowed
I've seen where it goes
Still somehow my love for you grows, Lady-o
So on my heels I'll grow wings
Gonna ride silver srings
But I'l l see you in my holiest dreams, Lady
The Turtles’ 1969 release Lady-O is a sweet love song that reflects on the fleeting nature of love and the spellbinding nature of its subject. The lyrics evoke powerful imagery as the singer paints a picture of a woman, Lady-O, who sits under a crescent moon with sand in her hands representing hope. She may not believe that hope can be held onto, but the singer knows that she has the power to shape her own destiny. The strings that enter in the second verse suggest a sense of vulnerability as the singer confesses his desire to resist loving Lady-O, but his heart is pulled towards her anyways. He has seen the consequences of love and how it can lead one to unexpected places, yet his love continues to grow for Lady-O. The song ends with the singer promising to take flight but always remembering Lady-O in his dreams.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it appears that Lady-O is a woman who mesmerizes those around her with her charm and beauty. Despite her doubts, she has a magnetic quality that helps her hold onto hope even in the darkest of times. The singer is attracted to her for her resilience and determination, and their love is destined to grow and change in ways they cannot predict. The metaphor of riding on silver strings suggests that their love will be a journey with many ups and downs, but they will always find their way back to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
While you sit and seek a crescent moon is laying
As you search for the elusive crescent moon, it lies beneath you
At your feet
Directly beneath you
With hope that's made of sand
The hope you hold onto is as fragile and uncertain as grains of sand
It don't think you can
The hope you cling to may not be enough to achieve your desires
But you have held it all in your hands
You have had the opportunity to attain your dreams, but may not have recognized it
I've been trying hard to keep from needing you
I have attempted to resist my urge to rely on you
But from the start
From the very beginning of our interaction
My heart just rolled and flowed
My emotions have naturally ebbed and flowed towards you without my control
I've seen where it goes
I understand the potential consequences of following my feelings
Still somehow my love for you grows, Lady-o
Despite the potential risks, my affection for you deepens
So on my heels I'll grow wings
I'll pursue my dreams with determination and resilience
Gonna ride silver springs
I'll embrace opportunities with the potential to help me reach my desires
But I'll see you in my holiest dreams, Lady
Despite my efforts, you remain a prominent figure in my thoughts and aspirations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JUDEE SILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind