Fan reviews

Turn Your Head
(words and music by Rick Springfield) 

Day in, day out
(turn your head)
I'll follow you about
(turn your head)
I'm gonna break you
(turn your head)
I've got to make you
turn....your.....head

You Turn my head 'round
(turn your head)
I'm upside down
(turn your head)
I'm gonna shake you
(turn your head)
I've got to make you
turn....your.....head
turn and turn and turn and turn and turn and turn...

I want a car
(turn your head)
You just walked by
(turn your head)
I'm gonna seek you
(turn your head)
I g-got to reach you
(turn your head)
turn....your....head


Song Facts: This can be found on Zoot Out. It was the b-side to the single of Eleanor Rigby.

More Reviews:

This song reminds me of just how much I really like Zoot. They are very Beatle-esque (always a plus in my book) and "Turn Your Head" is no exception. It has a very 60s-ish sound and why not? It was recorded in 1969, I believe.  I love the throbbing beat of the drums and bass. It hits me right in the gut. The lyrics are rather simplistic, but they are beside the point. This tune is all about the music. Rick plays some very flashy guitar and even though this was recorded many years ago, Rick's style hasn't changed all that much. It's still recognizable as Rick. These guitar solos sort of remind me of Rick when he plays "Red House" in concert. He's really into it. His guitar is an extension of his body and soul.  I can't pick out his voice at all in this song. But I like the creepily whispered "turn your head".....gives me a chill......like a slasher movie.

Did Rick actually write this? I can't help it, I
just really think it is awful. It just seems so random and aimless. Could this possibly be from when Zoot was trying to lose the teenybopper image and leaning toward Led Zeppelin? I particularly dislike the chorus with the high voices saying turn... over and over. I don't hear Rick in the background or maybe I just don't recognize his young voice. I  tried listening to it several times to see if it would seem different to me later, but I just really don't like it

I don't like this song much at all. I do like the guitar parts, but that bass guitar messes it up some for me. It would be much more appealing if that part had been seperate or left out. The whisper is nice sounding and gives a nice effect to the song, but the lyrics as a whole, are just quite boring....(sorry Rick) The part where they sing "turn and turn and turn and turn......" just really "TURNS" me off..... This is definitely not a song I can make myself like.

It's no "I'll Make You Happy" that's for sure.
The inrto reminds me of the music they'd play on that show "Laugh In". I've only seen that show in reruns and in bits & pieces at that - but all I kept picturing while I was listening was girls with the beehive hair, wearing short-short skirts and go-go boots bopping around the screen to that guitar beat.

Then, because I can't get those damn Wondershowzen puppets out of my head now, my thoughts went from that to those things bopping around and then stopping and mouthing the whispering "turn your head" line. 

Yes, sometimes it's scary to be in my brain.

I think I just need a few more listens to this one, either that or a live performance. I used to not like Jesus Saves the first few times I heard that one as well. (shocking I know, but it's true)



 


 
This is the first song I've heard by Zoot, so I really have nothing else in the way of Zoot to compare it to. I don't know what I expected, maybe something more be-boppy and not so guitar oriented. More pop-sounding is what I expected. But the guitars are AWESOME in this song! I really like it. My first reaction was just simply, "hmmm" but by the 2nd listen, I was noticing things I like. I love the ominous tone as it starts out with that low bass beat, and then the lead guitar kicks in. Is that Rick on the lead? It sounds masterful! Very classic rock sounding. That is a pretty cool part in the middle of the song when it kind of stops then goes into a completely different beat and sound. For some reason, the guitars there make me think of Hendrix. That frenzied guitar that builds and builds and sounds almost confusing, but pleasing at the same time.

The lyrics are far from the deep and meaningful songs I am used to when I think of Rick Springfield. That is about the only downfall in this song for me. Well, maybe not a "downfall," just not the better aspect of this particular song. He is wanting to catch someone's attention "I'm gonna break you, I'm gonna make you---turn your head." (since when is it hard for him to get a woman's attention?? Does she really need nudging, to turn her head??!! LOL)

This song reminds me a lot of ELO, Yes,  and even early DIO.  It has a very heavy sound, a really classic rock sound, (it is the era,  I suppose,
1970.)  It also has a 'Cannonball' by the Breeders, kinda bass line.  Woah there is bass in this song.   The guitar parts are very strong also.  
 
Beeb Birtles is the vocals/bass guy in this group, best known now as the guy from The Little River Band.   I like the parts of the song where he whispers, "Turn your head".   I always love a good whisper.  A whisper is a powerful thing, especially paired up with the heavy sound of that bass and guitar. Beeb does an excellent job singing on this one.

The first thing I noticed with this song is that the actual music seems to play the most important role.   The lyrics appear as just a 'dressing' on top of some very involved musical patterns.    I'm not picking on the lyrics by any means... it just appears to really take back burner.

The lyrics are very simple and straightforward. He wants her to notice him.  Turn your head!  I've got to make you turn your head!  There aren't very many lyrics.  I wonder which came first? The lyrics or the music in this one?  I'd bet it was the music and the lyrics were added.  I mean I don't know, but there just aren't many.

The guitar playing is phenomenal!   I really enjoy it on this track.  I also like the way the bass and the guitar play the same notes for a while, then they part.   I really like the syncopation during the bridge and the nice lingering guitar solo that is present about half-way through.

The question remains, would I purchase this song not knowing it were Rick's?  Yes.  I dig it. Thumbs up from me!!!  I would love to see this one live too, bet that was a riot!  I've always been partial to the real heavy sounding rock, and this song is really right up my musical alley.
 
This is the first time I've heard of anything from Zoot, and I was a little taken back because I wasn't expecting such heavy guitars from a band that wore pink!   I'm not crazy about the lyrics...maybe it's because it sounds so 60's (but then again it was the 60's!).  It definitely sounds like a song that Rick would have written...he was always trying to get the girl!   Out of all of Rick's talents, his writing abilities is what I enjoy the most.  So it's interesting to see how his writing skills have evolved over the last 40 years.
 
From the opening beats this one just caught me. It's strange not to know what part Rick is playing on this - but since he wrote the lyrics and music then even if it's not him singing or playing a certain part it's still HIM at the base.  But this song makes me smile because I have always had this feeling that if Rick could get away with just jamming on his guitar on stage for 90 minutes he would take it.  I think he enjoys the writing and singing of the songs - but he just seems to be most at peace and in all his glory whilst creating his incredible guitar licks.   
 
This song is much more about the feeling of the music - and the power of the guitar.  Seems a bit silly for me to say (because it was a bit before 'my time')- but it feels very appropriate for it's time period.  Seems like it would fit in quite well with a lot of 'classic rock'.  The lyrics are very simple - the song has such a long intro I was beginning to wonder where they were.  But the guitar and base are strong - and at times pretty intricate that the simplicity of the lyrics melds right into them. And, in a way, the lyrics are just breaks between guitar riffs.
 
It amazed me to realize that the song is almost 5 minutes long! The beat just sucks you in and then time flies, although the song does end a bit abruptly.