The Turtles Songs List For Your Wedding Playlist

Last Updated: October 19, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

May 23 is World Turtle Day. Celebrate the day with our top 10 The Turtles songs! The day is sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue since 2000 to rescue turtles and tortoises.

The Turtles were a mainstream folk pop-rock band from 1965 through 1970. Did you know the band’s original name was Crossfire based in California? They also tried to re-brand their name as the Tyrtles. The Turtles only had one number one hit atop Billboard Hot 100, Happy Together. The song stayed at number one for three weeks.

After the Turtles disbanded in 1970, Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman later became known in the music industry as Flo & Eddie since the rights of The Turtles is with their label White Whale Records.

The members of the Turtles were led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman.

Other members included:

• Al Nichol–guitar
• Jim Tucker–guitar
• Chuck Portz–bass
• Don Murray–drums
• Joel Larson–drums
• John Barbata–drums
• Chip Douglas–bass
• Jim Pons–bass
• John Seiter–drums.

Spotify Turtles Playlist

The Turtles Songs List

#1 Happy Together
Released in 1967 on the album Happy Together

Happy Together was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

#2 Elenore
Released in 1968 on the album Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’ve got a thing about you
I just can’t live without you
I really want you, Elenore, near me

#3 She’d Rather Be With Me
Released in 1967 on the album Happy Together

The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

This boy wants to settle down
and you know he’d rather be with you

Next, read a Grateful Dead wedding playlist.

#4 It Ain’t Me Babe
Released in 1965 on the album It Ain’t Me Babe

The song was originally released by Bob Dylan.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

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

#5 You Showed Me
Released in 1969 on the album The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands

The song was written by Jim McGuinn and Gene Clark of The Byrds.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

How I fell in love with you
Oh, oh, oh, it’s true
Oh, oh, I love you

#6 You Baby
Released in 1966 on the album You Baby

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’ve got everything I need
And nobody can please like
You do, baby

#7 She’s My Girl
Released in 1967 on the album Happy Together

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I just come back to tell ya
there’s a little bit of heaven underneath the apple tree
Every time I see you with that smile upon your face
a little bit there for me

#8 Eve of Destruction
Released in 1965 on the album It Ain’t Me Babe

The song was also released by Barry McGuire in 1965 which became much more popular.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When human respect is disintegrating
this whole crazy world is just too frustrating

Check out The Beach Boys wedding playlist.

#9 Let Me Be
Released in 1965 on the album It Ain’t Me Babe

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Let me be, let me be
That’s all I ask of you
I am what I am and that’s all I ever can be

#10 You Know What I Mean
Released in 1967 on the album Happy Together

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I would rather say “I do” than say
Goodbye and let you go forever

The Turtles Highest-Ranking Singles

• #1 Happy Together, 1967
• #3 She’d Rather Be with Me, 1967
• #6 Elenore, 1968
• #6 You Showed Me, 1969
• #8 It Ain’t Me Babe, 1965
• #12 You Know What I Mean, 1967
• #14 She’s My Girl, 1967

Do you have a favorite Turtles song for weddings or parties?  Please share your song below in the comments!

About Matthew Campbell