beatnikturtle

Never Be The Front Man

Beware all ye who enter here. This song's a stern warning that being the front man of a band is not what it's cracked up to be. Consider yourself warned.

Don't Quit Your Day Job

If you're a musician, we guarantee you've heard these five little words before. Nastier words could never be said.

Getting The Band Back Together

An obvious reference to the classic movie, "Blues Brothers" (which takes place in Chicago -- where we're from), this song tells the cliched story of the band that reunites after years... (more)

Jump The Shark

This is us tempting fate. Jumping the shark refers to a defining moment on the TV show "Happy Days" when Fonzie literally jumps over a shark on waterskis -- all while wearing his leather jacket. Everyone... (more)

Yesterday's News Today (Get Me Movin')

The musician's anthem! This song hits on a Beatnik Turtle theme about not wanting to work (see our first RPM album: All In A Day's Work). Instead, all you want to do is bang on the drums all day. And yet, work, life, and the inevitable day job calls...

All The Pretty Girls

Girls! Women! Birds! Chicks! This song's about all the pretty girls out there (and you know who you are)! This song celebrates each and everyone of them.

Can't Kick Him Out Of The Band, Man

This song's about that guy in the band who really can't play and just doesn't get any better, but pays for studio time, buys the gear, springs for beer, and owns the van. You always have to think twice about kicking the guy out with all the money!

Eleven

While the name of the song is a Spinal Tap reference, this one is almost a period piece, taking us back to the early 80s when record players and mixtapes were how we listened to and shared our music.

Dude From Indiana

"There's a dude from Indiana rockin' real hard to Carlos Santana!" If you've ever been to Indiana, you'll know where this came from.

Hello Guitar (We've Got So Much To Rock About)

This song's about getting reacquainted with your ol' guitar after neglecting it for a few years.

Back in 2006 our band started working on writing and recording... (more)

Earworm

Inspired by the book Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks. An earworm (or brainworm as Sacks espouses) is that catchy melody that sticks in your brain that you just can't shake.

The Holy Ground

Contrary to public opinion, the term "The Holy Ground" doesn't refer to the Emerald Isle. Nope. It's the name of a whore house that Irish sailors would visit. The Irish have quite a sense of humor...!

Johnny Jump Up

Never, never again. How many times have we all uttered that statement the "morning after?" This song explores the regrets from the night before and blames it all on "devil drink cider called Johnny Jump Up".

All For Me Grog

Another ol' Irish song about drinkin' and smokin'. Who knew?

Finnegan's Wake

This song's extremely popular and so has been done to death. We decided if we were going to re-make this one, we had to try something new. So, we hit on the 7/4 time signature, the melodica (thought... (more)

Big Strong Man

This old song had a lot of braggin' in it. So, we couldn't resist giving it a bit of the old skool hip-hop flavor.

What Would You Do (If You Married A Soldier)?

We couldn't resist breaking out the traditional Irish instruments halfway through this one and going all Celtic on your arse.

Whiskey Yer The Devil

Beatnik Turtle's take on another ol' Irish classic.

Courtin' In The Kitchen

Have you ever heard a traditional Irish folk song re-worked as a ska song? No? How about with an additional Spanish horn riff? Well, now you have! This song tells the story of an unfortunate... (more)

Beer Beer Beer

This was the song that launched the entire SHAM ROCK album. This is what happens when you turn up the tempo, crank the volume, and add a horn section.

As with most of these songs, we came... (more)

Old Dun Cow

Another Irish classic. This song tells the story of a group of pub regulars who, upon learning that the pub is on fire, head to the cellar to drink all the booze. You know, cuz it's free that way. What's a few burns?

Mick McGuire

Mick McGuire was "all that" when he was dating the family's older daughter (who was 40). As soon as he married her and spent all the money, poor Mick was subjected to his Mother-In-Law. Mother-in-Laws have gotten a bad wrap for hundreds of years.

Tell Me Ma

"Tell Me Ma", was featured on National Public Radio's Second Stage. As NPR put it: "Beatnik Turtle is a remarkably prolific and fiercely independent rock group based in Chicago. The eight-piece band includes... (more)

Mary Mac

Quite the tongue-twister, Jason's STILL trying to catch his breath after recording this re-worked traditional Irish folk song

When I Was Your Age

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Go To Bed

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Are We There Yet?

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

There's Only One More Day Til Tomorrow

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

They're Out To Get Me

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Bedwetter

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

I Didn't Do It

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

The Six Year Old Reporter

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Hey Joe (Joe Bully)

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

I Like The Way She Cleans Erasers

Here's a song about that crush on the teacher many of us will remember - but maybe not totally admit...

Many thanks to another cultural landslide ((more)

Going To School

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

My Cereal

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Get Out Of Bed

This is from our album, "When I Was Your Age," recorded entirely in the month of February for our third year participating in the RPM Challenge. "When I Was Your Age" is a collection of 13 songs looking back at when we were kids.

Pizza: The Rock Opera

"Pizza: The Rock Opera" is Beatnik Turtle's 10-minute opus chronicling one man's struggle to order pizza. From TheSongOfTheDay.com and their album, November available on CD Baby, "the iTunes" and other fine digital retailers.