The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
Turn It On
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
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It ain't easy being this kind of lover, won't you ever call me
Oh, I'm dedicated, yes, I'm a forgiver
Oh, I'm dedicated, sure, I'm a giver
I'm dedicated, yes, I'm a forgiver
I'll forgive you always
Although I know you turn it on, yeah (turn it on)
Although I know you turn it on, yeah (turn it on)
Although I know you turn it on, yeah, turn it on
You don't want to know how I manage alone
Oh no, you don't want to know what goes on when I'm on my own
You don't want to know how I plan on my own, oh no
You don't want to know how I know when you're on your own
I'll never be alone, yeah (turn it on)
You know I'd follow you to Rome, yeah (turn it on)
I know the places you call home, yeah (turn it on)
You know I'll get you on your own, yeah, turn it on
Ah, You know I know where you are
You know I know where you are
You know
I can't have another (you turn it on)
I can't stop thinking of you (you turn it on)
If I can't have you then nobody can
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Cause you turn it on, you turn it on
You turn it on, you turn it on
You turn it on, you turn it on
Woo, you turn it on
The lyrics of Franz Ferdinand's song Turn It On describe the difficulties of being in a relationship with someone who is not responsive. The singer is expressing their frustration with a lover who does not call them and seems distant, but at the same time, they are dedicated to their lover and forgiving of their behavior. The repetition of the phrase "although I know you turn it on" suggests that the singer is aware that their lover has the power to reel them in when they want to, but chooses not to do so consistently. The lyrics also hint at a dark side to the singer's obsession with their lover - they say "if I can't have you then nobody can" which implies a possessiveness that is not healthy.
Overall, the song seems to convey a mix of conflicting emotions - love and frustration, dedication and possessiveness, forgiveness and resentment. The lyrics are delivered with a catchy beat and energetic vocals, which creates a sense of urgency and passion in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't easy being this kind of lover when you never call me
It's hard to be in a relationship with someone who never calls
Oh, I'm dedicated, yes, I'm a forgiver
I'm loyal and forgiving
Although I know you turn it on, yeah (turn it on)
I know you can be manipulative, but I'm still drawn to you
You don't want to know how I manage alone
You wouldn't want to know what I do when I'm by myself
I’ll never be alone, yeah (turn it on)
I'll always be after you, trying to win you over
Ah, You know I know where you are
I always know where you are
I can't have another (you turn it on)
I can't be with anyone else because you have a hold on me
If I can't have you then nobody can
If I can't be with you, then I don't want anyone else to have you either
Cause you turn it on, you turn it on
You have a power over me and can manipulate me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, Nicholas John McCarthy, Paul Robert Thompson, Robert Hardy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind