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Let Me Be [Re​-​recording]

from Almost Night by The Palisades

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about

Originally recorded in 1965 by the Turtles – it was my idea to bring it to the band. I thought the song’s melody was great but it was the words that really won me over. Unlike many other “peace, love and do your own thing” songs from the 60’s, I thought the way “Let Me Be” had been written, made its message still very valid in the early ‘80’s – especially to me.

The Palisades did our own twist on the song, and pumped up the energy considerably, to almost punk like intensity in parts. “Let Me Be” ended up sounding like it was almost written by JD and me, fitting in perfectly among our ‘60’s influenced originals. Most kids thought it was a Palisades original.

When the Palisades played at Rolling Wheels in Palos Verdes in October ‘82, we opened for the old surf music legends The Surfaris. As is the case with most revival bands, there were only one or two members (I believe it was two) of the ‘82 Surfaris that were part of original early ‘60’s band. The missing original members were filled in with replacements, and unbeknownst to us, and by pure coincidence, one of these replacements (I think it was the drummer) had been a member of the Turtles. When we began playing “Let Me Be” at the show, the ex-Turtle ran onto the dance floor and with a big smile gave the Palisades the big thumbs up. I think he was flattered….

lyrics

Please don't mistake me or try to make me

The shadow of anybody else

I ain't the him or her you think I am

I'm just trying hard to be myself

Oh, society's goal is to be part of the whole

That may sound good to you, not to me



Let me be, let me be

To think like I want to

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



Don't try to plan me or understand me

I can't stand to be understood

I could never give in to or ever live up to

Being like you think I should

I've got some inner need which I'm tryin' to heed

I can't take hand-me-down destiny



Let me be, let me be,

To think like I want to

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



Don't try to change me or rearrange me

To satisfy the selfishness of you

I'm not a piece of clay to mold to your moves each day

And I'm not a pawn to be told how to move

I'm sorry I'm not the fool you thought would play by your rules

But to-each-his-own philosophy



Let me be, let me be,

To think like I want to

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



I said that's all I ever can be

I said that's all I ever can be

I said that's all I ever can be

credits

from Almost Night, released July 17, 2020
P.F. Sloan

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The Palisades Hawthorne, California

Dominating the South Bay music scene for two years (1982-1983), the Palisades were from Hawthorne CA (the same home of the legendary Beach Boys). Punk, Power pop, surf music, ska! No one sounded like the Palisades in 1982 and 1983. The music they wrote and performed was the music of being young – a celebration of youth.
It was a magical time in a magical place…come on in ... more

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