You Showed Me

Album: The Turtles Present The Battle Of The Bands (1968)
Charted: 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, the singer was clearly taught some tricks (possibly of a sexual nature) that made him fall for the girl who taught him. When he learned these tricks and used them on her, they worked and she fell for him too.
  • This was written in 1964 by Harold Eugene Clark and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds. In 1969, after the song became a hit for The Turtles, The Byrds' demo was released on their album Preflyte.
  • Salt n' Pepa did a rap remake of this song in 1991 that made #47 US and #15 UK. In our interview with Roger McGuinn, he said, "I loved it. I thought it was great."
  • Two members of The Turtles - Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (known as Flo and Eddie) - turned around and sang background vocals for several T. Rex songs, including "Planet Queen" found on the Electric Warrior album.
  • De La Soul sampled this without permission on their 1989 song "Transmitting From Mars," which did not go over well with the Turtles, who sued. The case was settled out of court for a reported $1.7 million.
  • The Lightning Seeds covered this song in 1996 for their album Dizzy Heights. Their version peaked at #8 the following year on the UK singles chart and was used in the movie Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Thomas - Marion, IN

Comments: 7

  • AnonymousThis song drove me crazy until I found out who did it and what year it was..finally!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 29th 1968, the Turtles' "You Showed Me" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on April 25th, 1969 it peaked at #6 (for 1 week) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    In 1991 Salt-N-Pepa so-so sample covered version reached #15 on the United Kingdom's Singles chart...
    The Turtles' record that preceded it on the Top 100 was "Elenore", and it also peaked at #6 and also spent 12 weeks on the Top 100.
  • Martin from Fresno, CaBeautiful song. I agree with Guy.
  • Jesse from Madison, WiA very nice early recording that featured the then-oh-so-futuristic Moog Synthesizer. One of the very few tunes to use a blatantly electronic sounding setting on the synth too, in those days. At the time, and through most of the '70s, if you weren't an accepted "synthesizer using band" like Yes or ELP, the producers carefully treated the synth to not be so obvious. In this tune, it can't be mistaken for or questioned to be anything else. The dual square-wave setting is all electronic. That, coupled with the characteristically strong songwriting of the band, is why I so much LOVE this song. Along with "Sound Asleep", this is their best in my eyes.
  • Leigh from Santa Monica, CaThis song is an ethereal gem. They don't get much better. This is what happened, when you mix Roger McGuinn & Gene Clark...Godspeed

  • Joycemorrison from Phhaha yea "delightful" is the word! simple lyrics, catch beat... gives me the last song syndrome. =)
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaOne of those delightful mid-60s Turtles songs. Right up there with the Rascals when it comes to feel-good songs!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."