"Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" is the second studio album by The Byrds, released in December 1965.
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds
Release Date: December 6, 1965
Recording Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Producer: Terry Melcher
Historical Context:
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" is the second studio album by The Byrds, released in December 1965. Following the success of their debut album "Mr. Tambourine Man," The Byrds continued to develop their distinctive folk-rock sound characterized by vocal harmonies and the jangly twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar played by Roger McGuinn. The album was produced during a period of significant social upheaval, including the Vietnam War and civil rights movements, which influenced the themes of peace and change present in the album. The title track, "Turn! Turn! Turn!"—a Pete Seeger adaptation of biblical text—became an anthem for the 1960s counterculture movement.
You can listen to this album on YouTube.
Musicians:
- Jim McGuinn: Guitars, Vocals
- David Crosby: Guitars, Vocals
- Gene Clark: Guitars, Harmonica, Vocals
- Chris Hillman: Bass, Vocals
- Michael Clarke: Drums, Percussion
Track Listing and Descriptions:
Side One:
1. "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)" – The title track is a cover of Pete Seeger's song based on the Book of Ecclesiastes. It features McGuinn's twelve-string guitar and the band's harmonious vocals, delivering a message of peace and reflection.
2. "It Won't Be Wrong" – Written by McGuinn and Harvey Gerst, this upbeat track has a more conventional love song theme, showcasing dynamic style changes and an unconventional structure.
3. "Set You Free This Time" – A Gene Clark composition with a country-pop flavor, featuring a solo lead vocal and harmonica, reflecting on a failed relationship with dense, poetic lyrics.
4. "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" – A Bob Dylan cover with a spiritual tone, characterized by strong harmonies and a heavy bass presence, showcasing the band's folk-rock sound.
5. "He Was a Friend of Mine" – An adaptation of a traditional folk song with added lyrics by McGuinn about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The song features a stripped-down arrangement with acoustic guitar and a distant organ.
Side Two:
1. "The World Turns All Around Her" – Another Clark song with pop-oriented composition and philosophical lyrics, though the rhythm presence in the production mix is somewhat subdued.
2. "Satisfied Mind" – A cover of a country folk song by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes, with philosophical lyrics about the value of a satisfied mind over wealth, highlighted by sparse instrumentation and harmonica.
3. "If You're Gone" – A Clark song with a haunting, vocal-centric arrangement and slow-rock backing, creating an atmospheric and emotional tone.
4. "The Times They Are a-Changin'" – Another Dylan cover, this track offers a sardonic reading of the original protest anthem, maintaining the band's folk-rock style.
5. "Wait and See" – Co-written by McGuinn and Crosby, this song sticks to the boy/girl romance theme, marking Crosby's first songwriting credit on a Byrds album.
6. "Oh! Susannah" – A whimsical, tongue-in-cheek rendition of the Stephen Foster classic, closing the album on a lighthearted note despite McGuinn's dissatisfaction with the track.
Reception and Legacy:
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" was a commercial success, peaking in the Top 20 of the US and UK album charts. It reinforced The Byrds' status as a leading band in the folk-rock genre. Despite internal tensions and creative differences, the album is celebrated for its innovative blend of folk and rock, its thoughtful lyrics, and the distinctive sound of McGuinn's twelve-string Rickenbacker.
