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.
Your Maw Said You Cried
The Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your ma said you cried in your sleep last night
Your ma said you cried in your sleep last night
Should have seen the look in her eye
I had to tell her some little white lies
I know I haven't been so true to you
I know I haven't been so true to you
Ain't gonna be the way it was before
Oh, I love you - oh, I love you
Let me kiss you - let me hold you tight
Oh, I love you - oh, I love you so much
My ma said I cried, my ma said I cried
My ma said I cried in my sleep last night
All the other guys got their eyes on you
All the other guys got their eyes on you
I'm comin' home, comin' home, comin' home for sure
Ain't gonna be the way it was before
Oh, I love you - oh, I love you
Let me kiss you - let me hold you tight
Oh, I love you - oh, I love you
I need you so much, and my ma said I cried
My ma said I cried, my ma said I cried
My ma said I cried in my sleep last night
Said hey hey, mama, said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat - gonna make you groove
Cause I love you - I love you
Oh oh, child - said the way you swing
Gonna make you burn - gonna make you sting
'Cause I love - 'cause I love you so much
And my ma said I cried, my ma said I cried
My ma said I cried in my sleep last night
The Turtles' song "Your Maw Said You Cried" was released in 1966 and written by Gary Montgomery and Don Schlitten (under the pen name Glazer-Schlaks). The song follows the story of a man who has been unfaithful to his girlfriend and is now aware of her hurt feelings expressed through crying in her sleep. He attempts to make amends by reassuring her of his love and devotion to her. The song is rooted in classic 1960s rock 'n' roll with driving beats, guitar solos, and catchy hooks.
The lyrics of this song convey the theme of redemption through the man's attempts to make amends for his unfaithfulness. The line "I had to tell her some little white lies" suggests that he may still be hiding something from his girlfriend, indicating that the road to redemption may not be as easy as it seems. The repetition of "don't you cry" reinforces the man's desire to comfort and reassure his girlfriend. The line "all the other guys got their eyes on you" adds to the tension in the song as it suggests that there may be other suitors vying for his girlfriend's attention.
Line by Line Meaning
Your ma said you cried in your sleep last night
Your mother informed me that you shed tears in your sleep the last night
Should have seen the look in her eye
I observed the change in expression on her face upon hearing the news, implying that she was concerned
I had to tell her some little white lies
To pacify her anxiety, I had to lie to her with some small inconsequential untruths
I know I haven't been so true to you
I realize that my recent actions have been unfaithful to you
Don't you cry, don't you cry, don't you cry no more
Please do not weep anymore or feel sorrowful
Ain't gonna be the way it was before
Our relationship shall not be the same as before, it will change from now on
Oh, I love you - oh, I love you
I am fond and affectionate towards you and this emotion is intense
Let me kiss you - let me hold you tight
Allow me to embrace and caress you with a kiss
My ma said I cried, my ma said I cried
My mother told me that she heard me cry the previous night in my sleep
All the other guys got their eyes on you
I've noticed that other men desire and are attracted to you
I'm comin' home, comin' home, comin' home for sure
I shall return to you very soon and without fail
I need you so much, and my ma said I cried
I have an intense desire for you and my mother already informed me that I cried last night
Said hey hey, mama, said the way you move
I want to inform you, mom, that I'm mesmerized by the way my lover moves
Gonna make you sweat - gonna make you groove
My lover's movements can make you feel hot with perspiration and lovingly lost in rhythm
'Cause I love you - I love you
I have a strong romantic affection towards you
Oh oh, child - said the way you swing
I am impressed by the way my lover carries herself
Gonna make you burn - gonna make you sting
Her actions will create an intense, passionate desire within me
'Cause I love - 'cause I love you so much
My emotions towards you are very deep and strong
My ma said I cried, my ma said I cried
My mother informed me that she heard me cry last night
Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.