The song is the third track on 21, and the fifth and final single from the album in the UK. It’s also Adele’s second collaboration with Ryan Tedder, appearing directly after “Rumour Has It” on the tracklist of this same album, and almost 5 years before the release of “Remedy” on 25.
Turning Tabels
Adele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more
I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb, I can't breathe
No, I won't rescue, you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Under haunted skies I see you
Oooh, where love is lost, your ghost is found
I've braved a hundred storms to leave you
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down
I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb, I can't breathe
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue, you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own saviour
When the thunder calls for me
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own saviour
Standing on my own two feet
I won't let you close enough to hurt me, no
I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Turning tables, yeah
Turning, ohh...
The lyrics of the song Turning Tables by Adele describe a relationship that is going through a rough patch. The person singing the song is tired of the constant fighting and is unable to keep up with the partner’s changing moods. The line “Close enough to start a war” brings to mind the typical argument between two people where one thing leads to another until they are in the midst of a full-blown fight. The person singing the song is feeling vulnerable, as she has laid all her emotions bare, which is what is represented by the line “All that I have is on the floor.”
The heart of the song, however, is in the chorus, which talks about the power dynamic between the two people. The person singing the song feels like she is “Under [her partner’s] thumb” and unable to breathe as a result. This feeling of being trapped and suffocated leads her to make a decision: “So I won't let you close enough to hurt me/No, I won't rescue, you to just desert me.” The decision is to distance herself from her partner, to protect herself from any further harm. The decision is also a resolution to leave behind the turbulence and drama of the relationship as symbolized by the repeated phrase “Turning Tables.”
Overall, the song is an assertion of the singer’s independence, individuality, and strength. It is a statement of how she intends to be her own savior and will not let anyone else control her life or emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Close enough to start a war
We are in a heated argument that could escalate quickly.
All that I have is on the floor
Our relationship has fallen apart, and all we have left is chaos.
God only knows what we're fighting for
I don't even know why we're fighting anymore.
All that I say, you always say more
You never let me have the last word, and you always want to one-up me.
I can't keep up with your turning tables
I can't keep up with your constant changing attitude and behavior.
Under your thumb, I can't breathe
I feel suffocated and controlled by you.
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
I won't let you have the power to hurt me again.
No, I won't rescue, you to just desert me
I won't continue to be there for you if you're just going to abandon me.
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
I can't reciprocate the love you claim to have given me because it's not genuine.
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
It's time to end this unhealthy cycle of back-and-forth conflict.
Under haunted skies I see you
Even in dark times, I still see you and the damage you've caused.
Oooh, where love is lost, your ghost is found
Where our love used to be, I still feel your lingering presence and negative impact on me.
I've braved a hundred storms to leave you
I've gone through countless struggles just to break away from you.
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down
Despite your attempts to bring me down, I am still standing strong.
Next time I'll be braver
In the future, I will be stronger and more courageous.
I'll be my own saviour
I don't need you to rescue me; I will save myself.
When the thunder calls for me
When faced with adversity, I will rise to the challenge.
Standing on my own two feet
I will be independent and self-sufficient, without relying on you.
Turning tables, yeah
This song is about breaking free from a toxic relationship and ending the cycle of emotional abuse.
Turning, ohh...
The repetition of 'turning' represents the pattern of back-and-forth conflict that the singer is trying to break free from.
Contributed by Sarah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Abu Bakar Abu Bakar
on Set Fire to the Rain
I let it fall, my heart
And as it fell, you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me
My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet
But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
And the games you play
You would always win, always win
But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name
When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together, nothing gets better
'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
And the games you'd play
You would always win, always win
But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name
I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
When it fell, something died
'Cause I knew that that was
The last time, the last time
Sometimes I wake up by the door
That heart you caught must be waiting for you
Even now, when we're already over
I can't help myself from looking for you
I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name
I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
When it fell, something died
'Cause I knew that that was the last time
The last time
Oh, oh, no
Let it burn
Oh, oh
Let it burn
Let it burn
Jai
on Someone Like You
I love this song its actually pretty relatable to me and my mom but more so my mom
Philip Kassabian
on Skyfall
I remember this song from when it came out and it's absolutely great.
virgenj494@gmail.com
on Easy On ME
The only one I like and be happy.
Real love and be the best music
ermelindaARMYS
on Easy On ME
musica
deez
on Easy On ME
deez nuts
Kamel Elakermi
on Rolling in the Deep
+2130777168800
Ct Murnie
on Rolling in the Deep
i am mastering this!