Rose's Turn
Glee Cast feat. Chris Colfer Lyrics
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Why did I do it?
Scrapbooks full of me in the background
Give 'em love and what does it get ya?
What does it get you?
One quick look as each of 'em leaves you
All your life and what does it get ya?
Thanks a lot and out with the garbage
I had a dream
I dreamed it for you, Dad
It wasn't for me, Dad
And if it wasn't for me
Then where would you be
Miss Rachel Berry?
Well, someone tell me, when is it my turn?
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Starting now it's gonna be my turn
Gangway, world, get off of my runway
Starting now I bat a thousand
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows and
Everything's coming up Kurt
Everything's coming up Hummel
Everything's coming up Kurt
This time for me
For me! For me! For me!
For me! For me! For me!
The first few lines of the Glee Cast's song Rose's Turn express the feelings of frustration and disappointment of a performer who has given his all to a career in the theater. Despite all the work, he feels that he has gotten nowhere. Scrapbooks full of him in the background testify to a lifetime of being relegated to secondary roles while others take the limelight. He fumes at the unfairness of a system that rewards those who give their hearts and souls to the theater with nothing more than casual thanks and an invitation to take out the trash.
However, in what seems to be a sudden change of mood, the character explains that he had a dream. It wasn't just any dream; it was a dream that he had dreamed up for his dad. He had pursued the dream not for himself but for his father. But now he realizes that it might be time to chase his own dreams. It is now his turn to claim the center stage, to make his own dreams come true, and to take the bows for himself. The song ends with the character announcing that everything's coming up Kurt/Hummel, and he triumphantly declares his intention to make this time his own and to revel in the applause that he had once surreptitiously watched others receive.
Line by Line Meaning
All that work and what did it get me?
After putting in so much effort, what have I got to show for it?
Why did I do it?
I'm questioning why I even bothered with all this work.
Scrapbooks full of me in the background
The only recognition I've received is being pushed behind the scenes and not given the spotlight.
Give 'em love and what does it get ya?
I have shown love and affection to others, but what have I personally gained from it?
What does it get you?
What is the point of showing love to others if it does not benefit yourself?
One quick look as each of 'em leaves you
People come and go in your life, leaving just a fleeting memory.
All your life and what does it get ya?
After a lifetime of experiences, what do you really have to show for it?
Thanks a lot and out with the garbage
People use you and then discard you like trash.
They take bows and you're battin' zero
Others get all the credit and recognition while you are left with nothing.
I had a dream
I once had a vision for a future.
I dreamed it for you, Dad
My dream was not for myself, but for someone I cared for.
It wasn't for me, Dad
I did not have any personal gain in the dream I had.
And if it wasn't for me
If I had not had this dream, where would you be?
Then where would you be
What would have happened to you?
Miss Rachel Berry?
The person I had this dream for.
Well, someone tell me, when is it my turn?
I am asking when I will finally have my chance to shine.
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Do I not deserve to have my own dreams and aspirations?
Starting now it's gonna be my turn
From this moment on, I will take control of my own life and future.
Gangway, world, get off of my runway
I am charging forward with confidence and determination, and nothing will stand in my way.
Starting now I bat a thousand
I will be successful in everything I do from now on.
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows
It is my turn to receive recognition and credit.
Everything's coming up Kurt
Things are finally going well for me.
Everything's coming up Hummel
My last name will be associated with success and prosperity.
This time for me
It is finally my turn to shine and achieve my dreams!
For me! For me! For me!
Everything I do, achieve, and receive is now for myself, and not for anyone else.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind