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.
Love Minus Zero
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without ideals or violence
She doesn't have to say she's faithful
Yet she's true like ice, like fire
People carry roses
And make promises by the hours
My love, she laughs like the flowers
The bridge at midnight trembles
The country doctor rambles
Banker's nieces seek perfection
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
The wind howls like a hammer
And the night blows rainy
My love, she's like some raven
At my window with a broken wing
In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk of situations
Read books, repeat quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall
Some speak of the future
My love, she speaks softly
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all
Aah...
The Turtles' song Love Minus Zero is a melancholic love ballad that is full of poetic imagery and metaphors. The lyrics describe the persona's love interest in intricate detail, highlighting the fact that even though she speaks like silence, without any ideals or violence, she is true like ice and fire, without having to say that she is faithful. The song's opening line "My love, she speaks like silence" is emblematic of the song's tone—it's muted, withdrawn, and reflective.
The lyrics of the song then switch to a description of people carrying roses and making promises by the hour, but the persona's lover just laughs like a flower, signifying that she's not after the materialistic promises but rather the emotional connection. The bridge at midnight trembles, the country doctor rambles, and the banker's nieces seek perfection, but the love interest has a broken wing, drawing the writer towards her out of compassion and desire to heal the wounds.
The final verse of Love Minus Zero is a contemplative reflection on the various conversations and situations that people talk about in places like dime stores and bus stations, while love speaks in soft tones and draws its strength from the understanding that there's no success like failure, and that failure is no success at all.
Line by Line Meaning
My love, she speaks like silence
My lover doesn't say much, but every word is profound and meaningful.
Without ideals or violence
She doesn't have a set of strict beliefs or express aggression in her speech.
She doesn't have to say she's faithful
Faithfulness is a given, and she doesn't need to express it verbally.
Yet she's true like ice, like fire
Her loyalty is unwavering, and her passion runs deep.
People carry roses
Folks often express their love with flowers.
And make promises by the hours
They make extravagant pledges and declarations of love by the clock.
My love, she laughs like the flowers
My love's laughter is as beautiful and carefree as a field of blossoming buds.
Valentines can't buy her
She cannot be won over by elaborate gifts or tokens of love on Valentine's Day.
The bridge at midnight trembles
The eerie nighttime setting is unsettling and nerve-wracking.
The country doctor rambles
A rural physician talks aimlessly without a clear purpose.
Banker's nieces seek perfection
The wealthy and entitled wish to attain an unattainable ideal of perfection.
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
These individuals anticipate receiving all the luxury items and perks that the financially successful possess.
The wind howls like a hammer
The gusts of wind feel as if they are pounding against the earth with force.
And the night blows rainy
The night is wet and dreary, with rain saturating the air.
My love, she's like some raven
My lover reminds me of a black crow, mysterious and enigmatic.
At my window with a broken wing
She appears at my window, helpless and vulnerable.
In the dime stores and bus stations
Everyday locations that many people frequent during their daily lives.
People talk of situations
Individuals discuss various scenarios and problems that they face in their own lives or society as a whole.
Read books, repeat quotations
They read and reiterate various literary and philosophical works.
Draw conclusions on the wall
They form their own opinions and insights, often inscribing them on surfaces like walls.
Some speak of the future
Some discuss various predictions and visions of what may happen in the years to come.
My love, she speaks softly
My beloved speaks with gentle and quiet words.
She knows there's no success like failure
She understands that often the greatest triumphs come from one's failures or lessons learned.
And that failure's no success at all
However, true failure is when one does not learn from their mistakes and fails to grow and improve.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.