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.
Wanderin' Kind
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never know where I'll be bound
I am the wanderin' kind
Always travelin' around
My feet start hurting
If I just sit in one place
'Cause sitting's a disgrace
So I move along with this
'Cause I'm tired of all the faces that I've seen
I've got to move to greener lands
Where I can breathe the air
So I can settle there
Till the wind weeps through my hair
The whispering mister orders trying to catch me
I am the wanderin' kind
Never know where I'll be bound
I am the wanderin' kind
Always travelin' around
The Turtles' song Wanderin' Kind depicts the life of a true wanderer who never stays in one place and always wants to move around. The singer proclaims himself as the "wanderin' kind" and says that he doesn't know where he'll be bound to next. He suggests that sitting in one place is a disgrace and that he always needs to keep moving. The first two stanzas of the song show the true essence of a wanderer's state of mind, where they constantly crave new experiences and want to explore new places.
In the next stanza, the singer explains the motivations behind his wanderlust. He says that he needs to move to greener lands where he can breathe fresh air and settle there until the wind rustles through his hair. It shows that for a wanderer, the journey is just as important as the destination. Furthermore, the lyrics hint at a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with the current place, suggesting that the singer is in search of a sense of belonging and purpose.
The last stanza of the song shows that the wanderlust can be both liberating and unnerving. The singer implies that he is being chased by the "whispering mister orders," maybe referring to the societal expectations and pressures that often hold people down. However, despite the challenges and uncertainty that accompany a nomadic lifestyle, the singer continues to embrace the wanderer life and affirms that he will always be the wanderin' kind.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the wanderin' kind
I am someone who constantly travels and doesn't stay in one place for too long
Never know where I'll be bound
I don't have a set destination or plan for where I'm going next
Always travelin' around
I am constantly on the move and never in one place for too long
My feet start hurting
Sitting still for too long makes my feet ache and is uncomfortable
If I just sit in one place
Staying in the same place for too long is boring to me
'Cause sitting's a disgrace
I find it embarrassing to be still for too long and not exploring my surroundings
And stand in such a way
I prefer to be on my feet and moving around
So I move along with this
I continue to travel and explore new places
'Cause I'm tired of all the faces that I've seen
I am bored of the same people and places and want to see new things
I've got to move to greener lands
I need to find new and exciting places to explore
Where I can breathe the air
I want to go somewhere with fresh air and new experiences
So I can settle there
Once I find a new place to explore, I will stay there for a while
Till the wind weeps through my hair
I want to stay in a place long enough to experience it fully and feel like I am part of it
The whispering mister orders trying to catch me
There may be societal norms and expectations telling me to stay in one place, but I don't want to be held down
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John LaStrada
This is a song that could've been covered by anyone in that era and they would have had a hit with it. I could even hear Elvis Presley sing this. It's brilliant just the way the Turtles did it originally and I am surprised this was never played on radio. It's the kind of song that was on the flip-side of a 45 but if accidentally played could've become the focus of attention. The Turtles always had great flip-sides. I believe this is how Frank Zappa noticed them (members became part of The Mothers later in their careers). The Turtles had two crazy-Zappa type songs on flip-sides: "Chicken Little Was Right," and "Rugs of Woods and Flowers," which were both brilliant but far and away from their melodic singles output.
John LaStrada
By the way, Robert Plant covered one of The Turtles flip-sides: "Your Maw Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night." That says something for who was listening to this band.
Mike Pitts
The handful of originals written by the singer Howard Kaylan are so strong on this album.
PopShoppekid
Brilliant song, and amazingly I just discovered today in mid 2022.
Robert Pincus
The guitar sound alone is worth the record!
fntime
It Ain't Me Babe, 1965 album was very good!
Corey Light
So many solid Turtles cuts!!!
Joan Jordan
I love this song,i was 13
richard rich
Brilliant! Can I request 'Last laugh' from this album. I'd love to her it. Thanks!
kinkybeatle
So great...........