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

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.