After quietly making music for several years, she entered a song in the Queensland Music Awards and ended up winning the pop category. She then began touring nationally and received an arts grant that allowed her to work with producer M-Phazes on her song "Adore." The single was well-received on radio upon release in 2016 and went on to become a Top Three hit in Australia in early 2017.
Shark signed with Sony Australia's Wonderlick label, and her official debut EP, Night Thinker, entered the country's albums chart at number two a few months later. The album garnered six Aria Award nominations and took home two, including Best Pop Release and Breakthrough Artist.
In 2018, Shark issued her first full-length effort, Love Monster. ~ Marcy Donelson
Don't Turn Around
Amy Shark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gets me all rallied up
You know I'll be there
And amongst a million people
I see your face and you walk by (don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow at somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard to not turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire (don't turn around)
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
I love this time of year
The night lights up like the Fourth of July
Not quite America
But bright enough for me to see you in the crowd
Small enough for me to watch you walk on by
It's pressure on my eyes (don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow at somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard to not turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire (don't turn around)
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Oh, something good better come out of this
I don't even know how to exist
Like it or not, I'm a minute away
Swallow my tongue and it hurts every day
Wearing the jacket you bought in '06
How do you keep it together like this?
Never again, I'm a nervous wreck
Please don't repeat anything that I said
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Let it go, let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow at somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard to not turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire (don't turn around)
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
"Don't Turn Around" by Amy Shark is a song that explores the complicated and unpredictable nature of love and the longing to reconnect with a past lover. The lyrics describe the singer's experience of seeing her ex in a crowd and being unable to resist the urge to look at him, despite the painful memories it brings up. The song opens with the image of "first wheels and bright lights" that immediately excites the singer. Even amidst a million people, she still manages to spot her ex and feels forced to look at him. She admits that deep down she loves the feeling of seeing him, however heartbroken she may be. She also wonders about the possibility of them meeting each other again in unlikely places such as a picture show or a funeral.
The chorus repeats the idea of bringing up the past as a big fire that makes the singer feel like she's flying like a bird on a wire. Despite this, she still holds onto the hope that they might cross paths again and rekindle their love. However, in the bridge, she admits that this love has brought her some pain and anxiety. She speaks of being a nervous wreck and begs her ex not to repeat anything she said.
The song is a heartfelt and relatable expression of the complexities of love and the nostalgic desire to reconnect with a past love. It captures the pain of seeing an ex in public and the push-and-pull of love and heartbreak. Ultimately the song ends with a message of letting go and moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
The sight of first wheels and bright lights
Gets me all rallied up
You know I'll be there
And amongst a million people
I see your face and you walk by (don't turn around)
The hustle and bustle of the city remind me of you and I get excited. Even in a crowd of people, I can spot you easily. I know you're around, but I don't want you to notice me.
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Hopefully we run into each other
I can't avoid seeing you, but I secretly enjoy it. Even though you're distant, I can sense your presence. I hope we can cross paths again.
You just never know
We might dance slow at somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard to not turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire (don't turn around)
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Life is unpredictable, and we might meet again in unexpected circumstances. Even though you're close by, I resist the urge to look back because dwelling on our past relationship is emotionally intense and overwhelming.
I love this time of year
The night lights up like the Fourth of July
Not quite America
But bright enough for me to see you in the crowd
Small enough for me to watch you walk on by
It's pressure on my eyes (don't turn around)
I enjoy this season when there are many nighttime festivities. It's not as grand as Independence Day, but the atmosphere is lively enough for me to catch a glimpse of you. It's difficult not to stare too hard and cause eye strain.
Oh, something good better come out of this
I don't even know how to exist
Like it or not, I'm a minute away
Swallow my tongue and it hurts every day
Wearing the jacket you bought in '06
How do you keep it together like this?
Never again, I'm a nervous wreck
Please don't repeat anything that I said
I hope this encounter leads to a positive outcome. I'm struggling to cope with my feelings right now, and I feel like I'm always on the verge of saying something inappropriate. I'm wearing a jacket you gave me in 2006, and it is causing me emotional distress. I'm a mess, and I don't want my embarrassing behavior to be shared with others.
Let it go, let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow at somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard to not turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire (don't turn around)
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
I need to let go of my emotional baggage and hope for another chance meeting. We could dance together at an old friend's wedding, or we could cross paths at a gathering. Regardless of our location, I will try not to focus on the past or hurtful memories. Instead, I will embrace the present moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Amy Billings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amaniwho3898
The sight of first wheels and bright lights
Gets me all rallied up
You know I'll be there
And amongst a million people,
I see your face and you walk by
(Don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
I love this time of year
The night lights up like the Fourth of July
Not quite America
But bright enough for me to see you in the crowd
Small enough for me to watch you walk on by
It's pressure on my eyes
(Don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away
But I still see you coming, alright
Let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Oh, something good better come out of this
I don't even know how to exist
Like it or not, I'm a minute away
Swallow my tongue and it hurts every day
Wearing the jacket you bought in '06
How do you keep it together like this
Never again, I'm a nervous wreck
Please don't repeat anything that I said
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Let it go, let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
@schnufflerunerwunscht8872
This is so dope. Just recently discovered her. She's so good and so underrated.
@tonywalker1954
Schnüffler Unerwünscht. I just found her today and i love her already.
@rickanderson9821
She has easily become my new favourite singer, can’t wait for the new album 😀
@TheOfficialViren
Every song she brings out lights a fire in me, her words are powerful and so meaningful; I'm a major fan! I can't say I have a favourite song from her since I love all her songs!
@amaniwho3898
The sight of first wheels and bright lights
Gets me all rallied up
You know I'll be there
And amongst a million people,
I see your face and you walk by
(Don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
I love this time of year
The night lights up like the Fourth of July
Not quite America
But bright enough for me to see you in the crowd
Small enough for me to watch you walk on by
It's pressure on my eyes
(Don't turn around)
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away
But I still see you coming, alright
Let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Oh, something good better come out of this
I don't even know how to exist
Like it or not, I'm a minute away
Swallow my tongue and it hurts every day
Wearing the jacket you bought in '06
How do you keep it together like this
Never again, I'm a nervous wreck
Please don't repeat anything that I said
I'm forced to see you
But deep down I love it
So far away, but I still see you coming, alright
Let it go, let it go
Hopefully we run into each other
You just never know
We might dance slow
At somebody's wedding that we used to know
At a picture show, at a funeral
You're two rows behind me and it's hard not to turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Don't turn around
Bringing up the past starts a real big fire
Make a girl fly like a bird on a wire
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
@nathanglennie
Something so simplistically beautiful about Amy Shark’s songs. Doesn’t need to overcomplicate the music like a lot of other pop singers. Just a guitar and a beat and her voice. Love it
@jessicafoulger2177
This is beautiful. Painful, poignant and honest lyrics 😭❤ Amy, you are an incredible artist.
@samanthasullivan9211
I really really really love this song!!! You are so incredibly talented Amy!!
@taylorprigg2570
Loving it, quite emotional and I like how it dances in the grey area of ‘we’re broken up but I’ve seen you for the first in years and feelings stir’
Beautiful.
@CaityBabez
This song gave me goosebumps... amazing!