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.

Let Me Be
The Turtles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Please don't mistake me or try to make me
The shadow of anybody else
I ain't the him or her you think I am
I'm just trying hard to be myself
Oh, society's goal is to be part of the whole
That may sound good to you, not to me

Let me be, let me be

To think like I want to
Let me be, let me be
That's all I ask of you
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be

Don't try to plan me or understand me
I can't stand to be understood
I could never give in to or ever live up to
Being like you think I should
I've got some inner need which I'm tryin' to heed
I can't take hand-me-down destiny

Let me be, let me be,
To think like I want to
Let me be, let me be
That's all I ask of you
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be

Don't try to change me or rearrange me
To satisfy the selfishness of you
I'm not a piece of clay to mold to your moves each day
And I'm not a pawn to be told how to move
I'm sorry I'm not the fool you thought would play by your rules
But to-each-his-own philosophy

Let me be, let me be,
To think like I want to
Let me be, let me be
That's all I ask of you
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be

I said that's all I ever can be

I said that's all I ever can be
I said that's all I ever can be

Overall Meaning

The Turtles' "Let Me Be" is a song about individualism and the importance of being oneself. The singer of the song is encouraging those around him to let him think for himself and make his own decisions, rather than trying to mold him into a preconceived notion of what an ideal person should be. The lyrics highlight the singer's frustration with the societal pressure to conform and the desire to break free from the expectations placed upon him. The repetition of the phrase "Let me be" emphasizes the importance of autonomy and being true to oneself.

The song carries a powerful message about resisting societal norms and expectations, and instead embracing individuality and the pursuit of one's own happiness. It's a reminder that we should never compromise who we are to fit in with others or to fulfill someone else's expectations. The Turtles deliver the message in a catchy, upbeat melody that makes the song both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Line by Line Meaning

Please don't mistake me or try to make me The shadow of anybody else
I ask that you not misunderstand me or force me to be someone else's copy.

I ain't the him or her you think I am I'm just trying hard to be myself
I am not the man or woman you assume me to be; I am simply striving to be true to myself.

Oh, society's goal is to be part of the whole That may sound good to you, not to me
Society promotes the idea of conforming to the group, but that doesn't appeal to me.

Let me be, let me be To think like I want to Let me be, let me be That's all I ask of you I am what I am and that's all I ever can be
Leave me alone and allow me to think freely. All I ask is for you to give me that space. I can only be what I truly am.

Don't try to plan me or understand me I can't stand to be understood
Don't try to force me into your ideas or understand me completely. I can't stand to be fully comprehended.

I could never give in to or ever live up to Being like you think I should
I could never succumb to or meet the expectations of being what you want me to be.

I've got some inner need which I'm tryin' to heed I can't take hand-me-down destiny
I have a personal desire I am striving to fulfill. I can't accept a destiny handed down to me from others.

Don't try to change me or rearrange me To satisfy the selfishness of you
Please don't try to modify or manipulate me to suit your self-centered goals.

I'm not a piece of clay to mold to your moves each day And I'm not a pawn to be told how to move
I'm not like clay to be molded according to your wishes every day. Nor am I a pawn to be directed as you see fit.

I'm sorry I'm not the fool you thought would play by your rules But to-each-his-own philosophy
I apologize that I am not the fool you thought would abide by your regulations. But, after all, everyone has their own philosophy.

I said that's all I ever can be I said that's all I ever can be I said that's all I ever can be
I reiterate that I can only be myself, and nothing more or less.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: P. F. SLOAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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