Performing Songwriter calls Hutchinson, "...A master of introspective ballads filled with understated yearning and an exquisite sense of metaphor." The twenty-six year old describes her style as "lyric-based, folk-pop, with a whole lot of small town idealism and one devastating break up thrown in for good measure." Among her influences she is quick to include poet Mary Oliver along with the likes of David Grey, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown and Shawn Colvin. Her songs are characterized by a weathered but unselfconscious optimism, a love of language and of the natural world. Having grown up in a town of 5,000 people, "just outside the National Historic District," her songs possess all the charm of Lake Wobegon, tempered by a sweet and timeless voice.
Turned To You
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
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I turned to you and the sun poured down, I turned to you
I turned to you and we slipped out of time, I turned to you and the boats went by
I turned to you
I think we were young then, I think it was May
I know I drank you in every time you looked away
You better run from me my words are fire, you better run from me my words are fire
This time around what a lovely form
This time around we're a man and a woman, this time around
You've been my mother and my brother, my child and my friend
But this is the life we might get to transcend
Straight at me you better run …
If you are her, and I am her, then we are just the same
It takes all this light and all this heat
To burn the rest away
You better run …
The lyrics of "Turned To You" by Meg Hutchinson are deeply reflective and emotive. In the first few lines, she turns to someone and asks what life they're on, perhaps implying a sense of uncertainty or feeling lost. However, the sun pours down, and they slip out of time, creating a sense of comfort and escape. This leads to a reflection on a past time, where Meg was young and drank in the other person's presence whenever they looked away. The lyrics take a darker turn in the last few lines, as Meg warns the other person to run from her because her words are like fire. She repeats this warning and urges the other person to run straight at her until she disappears, suggesting that she may be too intense or too much for them to handle. However, the lyrics end with a sense of unity, as Meg and the other person share a deep connection, which takes all their light and heat to burn the rest away.
Overall, "Turned To You" is a powerful and complex song that explores themes of uncertainty, escape, and intense emotion. The lyrics suggest that Meg has struggled with feeling lost or disconnected in her life, but she has a deep connection with someone who helps her find comfort and escape. At the same time, Meg is aware that her emotions are intense and potentially overwhelming, which may make it difficult for others to be with her. However, there is a sense of unity and transcendence in the song, as Meg and the other person share a deep bond that burns away everything else.
Line by Line Meaning
I turned to you and said, "What life are we on?"
I looked at you and wondered what stage of life we are in right now and what's next for us.
I turned to you and the sun poured down, I turned to you
I looked at you and the sun felt warmer and brighter, and I felt happy being with you.
I turned to you and we slipped out of time, I turned to you and the boats went by
When I looked at you, I felt like we entered a different dimension, and everything else around us seemed to move in a fast-forward motion.
I turned to you
I think we were young then, I think it was May
I know I drank you in every time you looked away
Every time I looked at you, I felt like we were in our youthful days, probably in May. I felt like drinking in your every feature every time you looked away from me.
You better run from me my words are fire, you better run from me my words are fire
You better run straight at me til I disappear
My words can be potent enough to hurt you, so you should stay away from me. However, if you want to be closer to me, you should come at me, and I'll be gone.
This time around what a lovely form
This time around we're a man and a woman, this time around
When we're together this time, it feels lovely, and we're both aware of our gender differences as a man and a woman.
You've been my mother and my brother, my child and my friend
But this is the life we might get to transcend
You've played various roles in my life, like a mother, brother, child, and friend. But, we might be able to rise above these roles and live a different life altogether.
If you are her, and I am her, then we are just the same
It takes all this light and all this heat
To burn the rest away
You better run ...
If we share the same characteristics as a female, then we are just alike. It takes everything positive about us, all our strengths, to eliminate the negativity.
Contributed by Eli N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.