Classic Pop Icons

The Byrds’ definitive cover of the Pete Seeger folk standard “Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” was released on single on October 29, 1965, backed with “She Don’t Care About Time.” It was also the title track of the Byrds’ second album released a couple of months later.

The Byrds’ Jim McGuinn (later changed his name to Roger) began his association with “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in 1962 when the folk band The Limeliters, for whom McGuinn was a backing musician, recorded a version for their album “Folk Matinee.” A year later, McGuinn arranged and played guitar on a version of the song for Judy Collins during a session for her third album “Judy Collins #3.” Collins would later duet with Pete Seeger on the song during an appearance on the “Rainbow Quest” TV show:

Judy Collins and Pete Seeger – “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Jim McGuinn next turned to the song in 1965 when looking for a single to emulate the success of the Byrds’ number one hit “Tambourine Man.” The follow-up to “Tambourine Man” had been another Dylan-penned song, “All I Really Want To Do,” but in the face of competition from a Cher version of the song it peaked at a disappointing number 40 in the US.

With hindsight, the tumultuous social and political climate made “Turn! Turn! Turn!” a natural choice for a single release in late 1965. The violence surrounding the passage of the Voting Rights Act and the ramping up of conflict in Vietnam were dual triggers for youthful unrest, and music was an important means by which this disquiet could be expressed. Pete Seeger lifted the lyrics of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” almost entirely from The Bible’s Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8), adding his own repeated “Turn! Turn! Turn!” phrase and the closing line “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” The meaning of the Ecclesiastes passages could be debated at length with varying interpretations, but Seeger’s contribution conveys a clear anti-war message that would have resonated strongly with many, including the tens of thousands of Vietnam War protesters who picketed the White House just one day before the song topped the charts.

The Byrds’ decision to release a “message song” might also have been influenced by the success of Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction,” which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 just three days after the Byrds completed recording “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The contrasting fortunes of McGuire’s hit and their own “All I Really Want To Do” single would have been felt strongly by the band as they had turned down the P.J. Sloane-penned “Eve of Destruction” before McGuire recorded it.

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” features the Byrds’ trademark lush harmonies and rich interplay between guitars, including the distinctive chime of Jim McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker. The memorable intro, which is reprised as the outro, was conceived by McGuinn and David Crosby. Only McGuinn played on the Byrds’ debut single, “Mr Tambourine Man,” but all members are present on this recording.

The Byrds – “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Authorship

Pete Seeger wrote “Turn! Turn! Turn! in 1959, but his first recording of the song wasn’t until 1962 when a live version at the Bitter End Nightclub in New York City featured on his album “The Bitter and the Sweet.” Seeger wrote the melody and, as noted above, took the bulk of the lyrics directly from the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Recording date/location

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” was recorded during September 1965 at Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA.

Musicians

The Byrds were:

• Jim McGuinn – lead guitar, vocals
• Gene Clark – vocals, tambourine
• David Crosby – rhythm guitar, vocals
• Chris Hillman – bass guitar
• Michael Clarke – drums.

Chart performance

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 28, 1965 and remained on top for three weeks. The single peaked at number 26 on the UK singles chart.

The Byrds would never again reach the top 10 in the US. The closest they came was with “Eight Miles High,” which reached number 14 in 1966.

The “Turn! Turn! Turn!” album reached number 17 on the US album charts and number 11 in the UK.

Other covers

Nina Simone – “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Nina Simone opted for a sparse arrangement on her 1969 cover of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” with female backing singers echoing the “Turn, turn, turn” phrase. Simone’s cover leans more towards gospel than folk, which is appropriate given the dominance of Biblical phrases.

Nina Simone’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!” featured on her 1969 album “To Love Somebody.”

The Seekers – “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

The Seekers covered “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in 1967 and their strong harmonies and folk sensibilities made it a good fit for the group. The verses are dominated by an insistent acoustic guitar, with the unusual decision to remain on the root (tonic) chord until the chorus is reached. This unexpected choice adds drama to the rendition.

The Seekers’ cover of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” can be found on “The Seekers’ Greatest Hits.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on August 29.

The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is available on a number of compilations, including “The Very Best Of The Byrds.” Those wanting to delve deeper into the Byrds’ catalogue can also find the song on the 2007 4-CD box set “There Is A Season.”

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The Very Best Of The Byrds (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Byrds – There Is A Season (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now