The Turtles parody themselves, 1968, nobody notices

What a lot of people don't know about Turtles is that their hit song Eleanor was in fact a spoof of their previous hit Happy Together. Lead singer Howard Kaylan had been so badgered by his record company to repeat the success of Happy Together that in exasperation he relented writing a spoof of it, while copying it's basic structure. He chose an unsexy girl's name, Eleanor (a name more likely to be somebody's grandmother!) and wrote funny lyrics. The record label loved it, so did the public. Still nobody gets it! but after you hear this story, it makes sense. Another great DVD from Rhino worth having.

[@f.w.2054]

Even their parodies were better than most of the stuff on the charts. I love this song!

[@thepony3146]

I think that perhaps more people would have gotten the joke if the Turtles hadn't been so damned GOOD.

[@randalldavis3251]

Exactly,they were good enough to join The Mothers of Invention and that speaks volumes.

[@MichaelDWalsh]

Truly! With the lyrics, "How is the weather" (from Happy Together) then, "...pride and joy, etcetera." I got their sense of tongue-in-cheek style of self-parody. Brilliant!

[@douglasslater5192]

You know it.

[@paulmenkens5997]

"how is the weather, so happy together" was just something Howie threw in as a joke on the click track and he fully planned to replace it in the final recording, but it fit and they left it in. I was 13 years old when Eleanore came out and I worshiped The Turtles, the 1st time I heard it on WABC I loved it, (I couldn't understand the lyrics, I thought it was "pride and joy and surprise") even "cousin" Bruce Morrow commented how much he liked it, so it must be he didn't get the joke either.@@MichaelDWalsh

[@foetormaximusflatulencis7183]

Exactly, how can anyone get the joke when the song is the bomb and the arrangement sublime???... you suppose to make the parody suck!!!!! , instead you write a fucking great tune ? WTF.

[@firsteerr]

the problem with this parody is that its so damn good and a killer tune !!!

[@lordofthemound3890]

One of the greatest lines in any “love song” ever: “You’re my pride and joy, etc.”

[@dianasnow7065]

I love the Turtles great music. They had more talent than people gave them great songs guys.

[@dianasnow7065]

Great talent than people gave them credit for love the music.

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

Kaylan underestimates his talent . To him it was a spoof , but he in fact composed a beautiful melody . To that he added a superb vocal performance . Apparently , he was so focused on the lyrics , which while not Dylan , are more than adequate for a teenage love song of it's day , certainly a step up from " Sugar Sugar " . I remember at the time the song came out chuckling at the " etc. " . I thought it was intentionally quirky , subtly intellectual & fit perfectly with the Turtles not-too-serious vibe . Mr. Kaylan neglected to notice all things considered , he wrote a great song .

[@steveperry1344]

it was a good song with just enough of a minor feel to make it interesting. as far as the etcetera i think it fit in nicely because song writing is not easy. i still like to hear it today. he should be proud of the song.

[@lordofthemound3890]

What do you mean? “Sugar Sugar” is one of the most profound songs of all time.

[@steveperry1344]

@@lordofthemound3890 the arcihies was it?

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

@@lordofthemound3890 You could be correct . I'm sure there is a great Jim Morrison & the DOORS cover of Sugar Sugar as well as a Led Zeppelin cover lying around somewhere waiting to be discovered .

[@lordofthemound3890]

@@durangomcmurphy1529 You should check out Wilson Pickett’s version.

[@shawnsimmons1308]

They really do deserve to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!! Even though this song is a sarcastic jab at the record company, it’s still, to this day, one of the best songs to come out of that era and has withstood the test of time. I Like Turtles. ❤

[@debrahanks1964]

I love them! Have since day 1!

[@trishconway8187]

Everything that this band sang was absolutely amazing

[@mtp4430]

Wow, that was actually live. At that point in time TV shows usually just played the recording. Sometimes they played a backing track and the singers sang live. This one was totally live. Great song, great band, great time for music.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Yep. And John Barbata is just letting the sticks fly. Fantastic stuff.

[@mtp4430]

@@chuckschillingvideos Absolutely 👍

[@U2WB]

Johnny Barbata back there driving the band with so much pizzazz ! Love the stick twirls and the repeating hi hat / splash / aux hi hat / crash pattern during the second verse. Very creative. Great drummer, great vocals, great band !

[@GosokuRyuYodan]

I loved the innocence of these lyrics. A joke? My father said, "Many a truth is spoken in jest." So, Howard, you made a joke which turned out to be a brilliant song about young, innocent love. What is wrong with that?

[@daletwin1]

I agree. Sometimes you just want to listen to an honest, simple song. I have always loved this song.

[@geoffreyhaycock212]

Joke or not it's one of my favorites.

[@Bogframe]

Innocence? Listen to that song again! He's telling his girl that he loves having sex with her and wants to have it again in a movie theater! "You really do me well"? "Maybe we won't watch the show"?

[@Luked0g440]

“I Started A Joke.”

[@scottmcneely7954]

I always thought he was being deliberately over the top with the lyrics but the song's sunshine pop energy just can't be denied. Loved the happy mood of the song even if it was being played for laughs.

[@stevew2724]

I agree, it seemed obviously intended as humor/parody. Rhyming "movie" and "groovy" and "Gee, I think your swell and you really do me well; you're my pride and joy et cetera" seemed to be give-away clues.

[@mikedl1105]

Pride and joy et cetera is an amazing line

[@cynthia7564]

I love this song....heard it sung in 1968 at the Trevi Fountain in Rome....by a young boy singing in English. I smiled then, at age 19, and I smile now, at 74. When I watch this video, Howard and Mark are riveting.

[@stevecampbell6294]

Might have been a spoof ......but it's still a great song!!!!

[@cwalker3166]

Can't stop watching the drummer...

[@traines51]

The great Johnny Barbata!

[@janetaldrich7747]

John Barbata caught the vibe of the band, all right. I love the little joke towards the end of "She'd Rather Be With Me".

[@nancybixby]

I don't care if it's a joke..still love it. And you can dance to it!

[@rickykay9516]

"Elenore" is one of the best Turtles songs. Johny Barbata was AWESOME on the drums. He was on all their best hits. "Happy Together" and "She's Rather Be With Me."

[@rumginray]

RIP.

[@robinrubendunst869]

Maybe have been a snarky joke, but I love it. They could be singing about boiled cabbage and it would have been a hit, because the composition is just so satisfying.

[@seltaeb3302]

Every Hit has a production staff as the Beatles did with George Martin who help create the wax magic.

[@echopractic]

They also sang about pot brownies on the same album.

[@phoenixmediaforge]

What a fantastic story! It just does to show that a great song writer can write a great song even when they are making fun of something. This is actually a very well composed and performed record.

[@gary-songwriter]

Well gosh darn it - he shouldn't have written such a catchy pop song then, should he? And Mark's vocals are awesome on this track. Pure pop gold!

[@tuxitalk1World]

It's a hilarious story and just proves that reality can be surprising. I love the song from the lyrics to the music to Howard's vocals.

[@gary-songwriter]

@@tuxitalk1World Yeah. And Howard tells it so well. Both Howard and Mark's vocal are superb on this track. I fell in love with the Turtles on this track. Loved Happy Together but there was just something about this track that got me. I'm inclined to think that it may have been Mark's majestic soaring vocals. Cos, before the internet and KZbin, I would sometimes sing this song when alone in the house. I could sing Howard's part easily but would gleefully screech Mark's vocal lines. Especially the "Ha ha" near the end. Ahh memories. :)

[@tuxitalk1World]

@@gary-songwriter Great memories! Howard is so cute in the song video and I love the comedy between he and Mark!

[@mitchgawlik1175]

As of this day, July 3, 2022, I will forever listen to this tune in a new light...with a grin on my face. We hear the Turtles on the radio an awful lot, do we appreciate how good they actually were? Mark and Howard are one hell of a team.

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

I think your question is actually answered in the first part of it. They are played on 'oldies' stations, maybe a bit less often on 'classic rock' stations. That wouldnt be the case if no one appreciated their music.

[@garycolon4213]

This song is on an album called The Turtles Present The Battle Of The Bands, and every song on the album is a parody, where they basically "pretend" to be 12 different bands, playing and singing in many musical genres. It was the first album I ever bought with my own money, in 1968, when I was twelve. Their charm was that they never took themselves too seriously, even though they were seriously talented! Howard and Mark later went by the stage names of Flo & Eddie, and were part of Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invention for awhile, as was the bass player here, Jim Pons...Yeah, that's right. Zappa got the joke!

[@timsalfarlie651]

I've just listened to the album on Amazon music. Being born in '68 when you were 12 your knowledge of music from that era will be better than mine but I definitely heard the Beatles in 'The last thing i remember' even down to Ringo's unique drumming. 'Surfer Dan' was so obviously the Beach Boys they could have written it themselves. 'Oh, Daddy' I'm pretty sure is the Kinks. Although the rest sound familiar, I can't put a band to the songs. Maybe 'Too much heartsick feeling' is Johnny Cash. Any more?

[@johnbauman4005]

And Flo was short for Fluorescent Leech... edit for typo.

[@josephtravers777]

Zappa was King Cheese in the lyric department during the '60s, you have to admit. It was all instrumental composition paired w/ nonsensical parody. Duke of Prunes comes to mind 😂

[@toddhuber8989]

one of the greatest albums nobody's knows...

[@kensellers4082]

@@toddhuber8989 Yes, I agree. The Turtles were superb on this wonderful album. And, I loved the Turtles dressed up as those “competing bands” in those accompanying photographs in the foldout album. Howard Kaylan looked great, attired as “Raoul” and carrying that whip with the other guys in the band dressed up like Wally Cleaver and Eddie Haskell!

[@petergrattan3509]

America's Hollies... just brilliant.... listen to that bass at the end of the chorus, the lyrics rock.... johnny barbata on drums, you can't lose....

[@tracybondbird9556]

Ooo, cool comparison!

[@petergrattan3509]

johnny barbata on drums... legend.

[@frankkolmann4801]

I love ELENOR. I have loved this song more than any other Turtles song. Elenor has been in my playlist forever. Tutrles simply could not make a bad song.

[@echoecho3108]

To those who may campaign for The Turtles' entry into the Rock Hall of Fame, and bemoan the fact that our favorite band isn't in it, and, oh, the injustice of it all, I say, Just consider this ... Look at all the performers who are Not in the RHoF ... Looks like our beloved Turtles are in great company by Not being in the RHoF, so don't be sad. Those of us who know the genius of The Turtles,and love them, know that they're The Best!!! All Hail The Turtles!!! You're our Pride and Joy, et cetera!!! Can't You Hear the Cows? Chicken Little Was Right! Turtles Forever! Thanx, Gentlemen, for the magic, music, and memories! 🌟🎆👍💕🌈🍭🦄🌻😊

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Yeah, I'm with you here. The vast majority of my favorite artists are NOT in the RRHOF and I look at it as a badge of honor for them not to be in, considering the trash they have allowed entry.

[@echoecho3108]

@@chuckschillingvideos 😊👍

[@chuckschillingvideos]

His vocals are incredible on this tune. He's at his best here when he's in maximum sarcasm mode.

[@isolatedmusictracks1966]

Mark Volman always looks so into it all, he reminds me of a little labrador puppy😁😄cute

[@baronvonlichtenstein]

Brilliant song. Seen them kive twice in NYC around New years

[@GK-ev5rd]

When you are good you are good! And thats the way it is in life!

[@singledatapoint]

Writing great songs is a mysterious art. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. Every now and then someone hits top form and for a, usually brief, period they can do no wrong. This is a classic example. “I’m going to write a bad song.” … No. Anyway, I have loved this song since the day it first hit the radio. I was 12. The perfect audience. :-)

[@michaelboylesr7121]

Thanks for posting! This is great! One of my favorite groups from the late 60s. I wish I could write a song this "Bad" I love the fact that this is "live." Pure talent!

[@mapleva]

They were a funny group. The two principals had a real eye for comedy.

[@thekingofbohemia1]

I saw them as the Turtles in 1966. I saw them as Flo and Eddie in about 1979.

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

which show did you consider to be better? I just tonight listened to a vintage LP they did called "Illegal, Immoral, and Fattening", which came around in 1975. Mostly inspired fun, and also clearly meant for mature audiences.

[@cathyortiz1280]

I loooove this song! Better than "Happy Together." Very catchy. It sounds like an actual young teen wrote it & I was very young when it came out.

[@bachtobebop]

Same here.

[@beowulfthedane]

The drums are what made it. The drum lead in to the chorus is killer. It is what the song needed.

[@edthom2210]

One of my favorites during my heyday.

[@Wooley689]

"You do me well"., Hidden gems in songs.

[@jackieguccione94]

What a real good live performance excellent he can really sing

[@zyxwut321]

It's a lovely, delicate little thing of a song. Spoof or not, it's so well made and holds up.

[@kensellers4082]

I remember watching this show on tv back in 1968. The Turtles were fantastic on this song and also in performing “The Battle of The Bands.” I think Ed McMahon was the host of this summer replacement show.

[@GaryM67-71]

Just watched a live version of 'You showed me'. Wow, this guy has such a phenomenal voice, powerful, full of texture. Just added all their albums to my Apple music library.

[@susiepittman601]

It's one of my favorite songs!

[@gilwood7530]

I love EDDIE ...and FLO ...Saw them so many time , even got into a on stage chat with them at the Limelight ... Pretty snazzy shirt ! I have had so many fun nights at their shows

[@orbyfan]

The single also had a great B-side: "Surfer Dan".

[@caryheuchert]

Perhaps, even the Turtles best tune!

[@jimbohnenkamp5082]

"Et cetera" makes it unique and memorable. Nothing wrong with that.

[@monkeytennis7477]

Thank you, KZbin algorithm for this lovely video.... Here's what I always thought Elanore was about. I was in my younger days, quite the silent movie buff. (Not so much anymore but, people change.) Any person interested in silent movies knows who the famous comedian Buster Keaton is. After a long, sad descent into alcoholism in the 1930's, it seemed his career was over. He was in his mid 40's when he met Elanore Norris, a vivacious young actress who married him and basically rescued him from himself. She revitalized his career and participated with him in his new comedy routines, and he managed to survive another 25 years or so because she cared for him so much. He died in around 1966 I think, and this song came out in 68. I always believed this song was written about Buster and Elanore, and you cannot convince me otherwise. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. 👍🤓👍🙉🎾🍻

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

A curious take on it. I suppose this theory would explain why 'Elinore" was the song's title (altho spelled differently), but the song doesn't seem to have any references to Buster Keaton. Maybe only Howard himself knows for sure how true your theory is.

[@janetaldrich7747]

Howard's explanation reminds of the Hollies and "Jennifer Eccles" ... same attempt, same result -- although at least the Turtles didn't have to put up with wolf whistles from all directions.

[@randykendrick2351]

Still a great tune, nice lyrics, etcetera!

[@ttoille765]

I love the drumming on this!

[@ChrisCasadyanimation]

You'll find other comments here praising Johny Barbata's drumming, a good studio musician. He did stick tricks.

[@joeyday1252]

He should have been hip enough to realize that being subversive through bubblegum pop was just as great (maybe greater) than sounding "progressive". I enjoy the humor and sarcasm of this much more than the obvious stuff they did later as Flo and Eddie.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I think, perhaps, it's still difficult for him at the time of the interview to square himself with the fact that a song he wrote as a deliberate affront to his record label, to wake them up to their own idiocy (which can be quite difficult - idiots tend to believe they're the smartest folks in the room) backfired so disastrously - by disastrously, I mean that the tune was a huge hit and made White Whale millions of dollars and basically none of it went to the band. I would be pretty bitter and conflicted as well, in his shoes.

[@Luked0g440]

As a kid, born 12/27/1962, I thought that this was an honest to goodness love song, right up until high school in the 1970s! I never paid real attention to the lyrics!

[@JuneLynn]

What a great story Howard tells about the song....and I LOVE this live version of Eleanor....always was such a fun group to watch, and the drummer's style is fantastic ~ 💜💜💜💜

[@beckynelson6786]

It was a good spoof but it was such a likeable melody!

[@TonysMusic1974]

a LIVE performance! Love it!!!

[@Ivehadenuff]

This puts a whole new spin on this song for me!

[@lesleyvivien2876]

I loved the song. I thought the lyrics were hilarious. Nobel prize for poetry? Love this version too. The choreography was stunning. 😃

[@joelyoungcbi]

I kinda like that he used "etc." in a song. It was unique, and the song is just plain good anyway. He tried to fail, and failed. LOL

[@K98876]

This band is real music real songs talent romantic and I miss it!!!

[@tanukibrahma]

A great song and etc. makes it even better

[@antrygis1]

Damn their drummer was great.

[@zanti209]

Probably the best self-parody song of all time. The lyrics were hilarious. I think everyone got what they wanted out of the song EXCEPT Howard. 😆 Am just glad White Whale didn't ask him to do another one like that. I think Mr. Kaylan would have harpooned them. What an awesome song! 🐳

[@artmusicmath]

Shoes are too cool!

[@spivaks1]

Howard Kaylan vocals amazing

[@ronhobbs463]

Love you Howard!

[@jeremyolson4280]

Grew up on this, part of my being!

[@roseyc.5846]

I thought he had gotten really old. Then, I realized we ALL have. ☹️

[@johnjones3714]

Always loved the Turtles Flo and Eddie etc. Part of the et cetera is the great work on those T-Rex records. And don't forget live at the Fillmore East lol

[@billhungerford5930]

Wow, he wrote a great song while trying to write a joke song. That's talent!

[@seltaeb3302]

Really live, you cant get anymore live than that. Great songs. If the Beatles had named themselves The Turtles, then The Turtles could have been The BEATLES. In another universe.

[@monoped8437]

i play the song regularly, (as part of a balanced breakfast), and the etcetera line has always cracked me up. sometimes i'm laughing as i'm trying to sing it.

[@debsimpson5968]

Wow love it and your still so handsome I loved you guys still do and always will and Joey was the best thing that came to you classic clown take care

[@realgirl2704]

Accidentally wonderful🥰

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

I mean, the first time I really paid attention to the lyrics, probably around age 16, I realized right off that “etc.” was an odd choice. But I also thought it was just kind of brilliant, as if to say “there are too many superlatives to describe this girl, the guy is just exasperated so he gives up & just says ‘etc.’”. I still think part of the intention was exactly that.

[@JamZorro]

That's exactly what I thought... And such great vocals too (and drums)

[@douglasslater5192]

Never gets old only better. ❤️

[@johnx5891]

Puffy shirt and velvet jacket. What's not to love?

[@reeeee7298]

I get what he did, musically, but like it doesn’t sound bad and I get why no one got the “joke”. Like he ended up writing a dope song.

[@JamZorro]

Wow... Those Vocals!

[@gerrymcguire7521]

Etcetera! The greatest line ever! I think you’re groovy, let’s go to a movie! Genius!

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

"They'll turn the lights way down low; maybe we won't watch the show..." 🙂

[@titostacos]

Barbata pounding the crap out of those drums and giving the record some teeth.

[@tomglase5333]

I am sorry Howard but you cannot hide your talent even when you try to.

[@rlgarza205]

Good point...they are good 👍

[@jerryjohnson7004]

Always loved that song

[@A-1BurmaShave]

Those with genuine talent can do it live. Exhibit A

[@EddieWinebauer]

Watch the Conga player and how he stays so incredibly deep in the pocket the entire song.

[@antrygis1]

Something like a behind the Music stated this and I was like....yes, it makes more sense now. Gives us a hit. Give us a hit! O.K. Try this! it was still a good poppy hit. Even at 9 or 10 I still thought there was something off about it. But it was the age of psychedelia and pop mixed in to that too.

[@zxccxz164]

that is a great song all the way around!

[@ge484]

saw flo and eddy back up, Golden Earring i think...

[@Doones51]

"you do me well" how did that get by the censors?

[@MyRoom_is_old]

If you listen to Frank Zappa Live at the Filmore you'll understand why Frank knew this was a joke!

[@PaulSmith-pz9eq]

What a great song ! Howard , you know you are a genius .😊

[@patriciawilson9666]

Those voices!!!

[@johnburgess6572]

I love this etc. !!!

[@Paul-yc1gc]

I love this song

[@charlesaracich5377]

Should be in the hall of fame

[@Jjonathanhart]

Howard Kaylan had a great voice, which I suppose gave them their unique sound.

[@Norma-uc8dy]

The drummer is good here. He's really good, etc.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Turns out the guys from White Whale were right.

[@samuel3517]

I always thought that Elenore was a parody of Happy Together, I’m very surprised that it was actually true