The Turtles - It Ain't Me Babe (1965)

Originally a surf-rock group called The Crossfires, this band was one of the most celebrated bands of the 1960s. When they made their shift into folk music to fit in with the increasing trend, they intentionally misspelled their name “The Tyrtles” to fit in with others who misspelled their names such as The Beatles and The Byrds. It didn't last very long. Their largest success came with their 1967 hit “Happy Together,” reaching number one and knocking "Penny Lane" off the top spot.

This song, their first hit, was written in 1964 by Bob Dylan. It was rumored that the lyrics “no, no, no it ain’t me babe” was a direct parody referencing The Beatles’ “She Loves You” (“She loves you, yea, yea, yea”).



The Turtles - It Ain't Me Babe (1965)

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Lyrics:

Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need

You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door

But it ain't me babe
Ah, no, no, no it ain't me babe
Well, it ain't me you're lookin' for babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only lead you down

You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes to you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you and more

But it ain't me babe
Ah, no, no, no it ain't me babe
Well, it ain't me you're lookin' for babe

No it ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
I said ah no, no, no, it ain't me babe
I said ah no, no, no, it ain't me babe…