Twelve Thirty

The Mamas & the Papas

About Twelve Thirty

"Twelve Thirty" a.k.a. "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)", the song's main refrain, is a song by The Mamas & the Papas. After the release of the group's third album -- Deliver—and their appearance as the closing act of the Monterey International Pop Festival, the group was scheduled to appear in England. The visit was catastrophic for both the group and Cass Elliot (see The Mamas & the Papas main article for further details), and resulted in Cass leaving the group temporarily. The group had completed four tracks for their fourth album—initially titled Springboard—but when the group fracture occurred, progress on the new album stopped completely. Dunhill Records, hoping to keep the group in the public eye while personal matters were sorted out, released a Greatest Hits compilation, entitled Farewell to the First Golden Era, a smash hit at #5 on the charts, and certified gold. "Twelve Thirty," one of the completed songs from the fourth album, was included on the album in order to entice record buyers with new material, and simultaneously released as a single. "Twelve Thirty" would also appear on the now-retitled fourth album, The Papas & The Mamas, when finally released in the fall of 1968. The song peaked at number 20 as a single in the US, but failed to chart in the UK. The group would perform the song on The Ed Sullivan Show on 24 September 1967, in one of their last televised appearances as a group. 


242 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

I used to live in New York City
Everything there was dark and dirty
Outside my window was a steeple
With a clock that always said twelve-thirty

Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walkin'
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talkin'

At first so strange to feel so friendly
To say "Good mornin'" and really mean it
To feel these changes happenin' in me
But not to notice till I feel it

Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walkin'
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talkin'

Cloudy waters cast no reflection
Images of beauty lie there stagnant
Vibrations bounce in no direction
But lie there shattered into fragments

Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walkin'
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talkin'

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Mamas & the Papas

The Mamas & the Papas (credited as The Mama's and the Papa's on the debut album cover and sometimes shortened to Mamas & Papas) were an American/Canadian vocal group (Denny Doherty was from Canada) who came to prominence in the 1960s. The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing six albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles. They have sold nearly 40 million records worldwide. more »

5 fans

Written by: John Edmund Andrew Phillips

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)" was released in 1967 as a single by the American pop/rock band 'The Mamas & the Papas.'
Songwriters
The song was written by John Phillips, a member of the band, and has since become one of their signature sounds.
Popularity and Chart Performance
"Twelve Thirty" peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, showcasing the song's success and popularity among fans.
Group's Changes
This song was the first single released by 'The Mamas & the Papas' after a brief hiatus, during which the group underwent substantial changes, including the replacement of one of its members.
Theme of the Lyrics
The lyrics of "Twelve Thirty" express nostalgic feelings for the band's life in New York City, before they moved to California, hence the line "Young girls are coming to the canyon," referencing the popular migration of young, aspiring artists to Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, in the late 60s.
Album Inclusion
Despite its popularity, "Twelve Thirty" was not included in any original 'Mamas & Papas' album, but it has been part of several compilation albums.
Musical Style
The song's unique blend of folk rock and sunshine pop styles demonstrates the diversity of 'The Mamas & the Papas,' and its complex harmony arrangements represent the band's characteristic sound.
Single's Version
Two versions of "Twelve Thirty" were released. One has an introduction with horns while the other version, usually heard on the radio, starts with a guitar riff.
Conflict
The release of "Twelve Thirty" was overshadowed by personal conflicts and struggles within the band, which eventually led to the group's dissolution in 1968.
Cover Versions
Other artists have performed cover versions of "Twelve Thirty," including American singer Scott McKenzie in 1970 and English rock band The Zombies.

Discuss the Twelve Thirty Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Twelve Thirty Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/19004498/The+Mamas+%26+the+Papas/Twelve+Thirty>.

    Missing lyrics by The Mamas & the Papas?

    Know any other songs by The Mamas & the Papas? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Twelve Thirty

    2M
    9,224     332

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "They say all's well that ends well, but _____________"
    A I'm in a new hell.
    B I'm in a new cell.
    C I can't really tell.
    D it didn't end well.

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Mamas & the Papas's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    The Mamas & the Papas tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!