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.
Rebecca
The Turtles Lyrics
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Riding your bike up on Mulholland Drive
Oh, I got a five minute rush from
You in your faded blue jeans
How many years is it you've been alive?
Oh I'll take a guess
Rebecca, could it be eighteen, nineteen or so
Ooo, Rebecca, will I ever know?
No way, how will I fit in your life?
How could you live with a man without change?
Too strange and too poor to be trusted
Busted a couple of times
Shaken a bit by the years on the road
And the women I've known
Rebecca, you look like the name I gave to you
Ooo, Rebecca, if you only knew...
Go home, to your father's friend's straight son
To your mother's friend's sweet boy
To the families, well-to-do and so well established and
One day, you might wake up to a shotgun
What has it come to... This sensible life
The wife of a fool...
Rebecca, reading magazines in a chic salon
Ooo, Rebecca... Where's Rebecca gone?
The Turtles' song "Rebecca" tells the story of a man who meets a young woman named Rebecca and is immediately captivated by her. He describes her riding her bike up Mulholland Drive and brushing her hair with the wind. He admits that he is unsure of her age, guessing that she may be eighteen or nineteen. He is aware of the differences in their backgrounds and lifestyles and questions whether he could fit into her "sensible life." He advises her to go back to the familiar comforts of her father's and mother's friends and the well-to-do families she knows.
The singer feels intimidated by Rebecca's upper-middle-class background and wonders how he could ever fit into her "sensible life." He describes himself as "busted a couple of times" and "shaken a bit by the years on the road and the women I've known." He sees himself as too poor and too unreliable to be trusted with Rebecca's life. He sees her as a sophisticated, chic woman, reading magazines in a salon, and wonders what happened to the young woman he met on Mulholland Drive.
The song's lyrics reveal a sense of insecurity and self-doubt on the part of the singer. The song highlights the differences in class and culture that exist in society and the discomfort that people can feel when they encounter someone from a different background.
Line by Line Meaning
I met you, brushing your hair with the wind
I first saw you casually running your hands through your hair as the wind blew through it
Riding your bike up on Mulholland Drive
You were cycling along Mulholland Drive
Oh, I got a five minute rush from
I felt a sudden euphoria from the short time I spent with you
You in your faded blue jeans
Your worn out blue jeans made you look effortlessly cool
How many years is it you've been alive?
I wondered how many years you've lived so far
Oh I'll take a guess
I'll make an estimation
Rebecca, could it be eighteen, nineteen or so
I guessed your age to be around eighteen or nineteen
Ooo, Rebecca, will I ever know?
I wasn't certain if my guess was right
No way, how will I fit in your life?
I didn't think I was a good match for you in terms of lifestyle
How could you live with a man without change?
I thought it would be difficult for you to be with someone who can't provide a stable life
Too strange and too poor to be trusted
I worried that because I was unconventional and not wealthy, I wouldn't be considered trustworthy or reliable
Busted a couple of times
I've been caught and punished for some wrongdoing previously
Shaken a bit by the years on the road
My experiences from travelling around have left me feeling a little unsettled
And the women I've known
My past romantic relationships have also contributed to this feeling
Rebecca, you look like the name I gave to you
I feel like your name suits your appearance and personality well
Ooo, Rebecca, if you only knew...
I wondered what you would think if you found out my true personality and history
Go home, to your father's friend's straight son
I felt that you should find someone who leads a conventional and predictable life, perhaps someone closely connected to your family
To your mother's friend's sweet boy
I thought maybe someone who is referred by your mother's friend may be suitable for you
To the families, well-to-do and so well established
I believed that someone from a wealthy and established family would be the best fit for you
And one day, you might wake up to a shotgun
I feared that if you didn't choose the right kind of partner, your life could end up in danger or trouble
What has it come to... This sensible life
I questioned the value of a conservative and practical life, if it meant giving up on something as unique and exciting as our chance connection
The wife of a fool...
I realized that I may not be the right person to share your life with
Rebecca, reading magazines in a chic salon
I imagined you living in a posh lifestyle, maybe reading magazines while getting your hair done at a fancy salon
Ooo, Rebecca... Where's Rebecca gone?
I wondered where you were and what you were doing at that moment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERT LOUIS HAMMOND, MIKE HAZLEWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryk446
I was at the Bottom Line Shows during the 1990-1991 season and I remember them doing this song in exactly this way - down to Howard's "And now for something completely different......." BTW, this song is not a Flo and Eddie original. It was first done by Albert Hammond.