Grim Reaper Of Love

Album: It Ain't Me Babe (1966)
Charted: 81
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After their previous three singles all hit the Top 30 of the pop charts, The Turtles appeared to be a roll. However this song was to be the first of several flops until "Happy Together" put them back on track.
  • Vocalist Howard Kaylan told Mojo magazine October 2009 the story behind this song: "After 'You Baby' had become our third national hit in a row, we were feeling pretty cocky as a band. The Beatles were doing drugs and experimenting with Indian instruments - we could too. So we did. Al Nichol and Chuck Portz put together this 5/4 jazz raga with ridiculous lyrics and, as a band, we fought for its release. But of course the record was just too weird to be a mainstream hit. In fact, I'm still shocked that it did as well as it did. It broke our cycle of Top 30 hits, and we didn't rebound until 'Happy Together' a year later."

Comments: 2

  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI closed my eyes but I still got the clap.
  • Adam from West Palm Beach, Fl"Close your eyes when you clap..."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.