Then You Turn Away
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I didn't want to see you
Not when you're at your best
Or talk about the weather
I couldn't pass the test

So many things I do
So many things I say
Give you the wrong idea
So many things I do
So many things I say
Just make a fool of me

(And) then you turn away
Then you turn away.
I couldn't help but call you
I waited almost all the week
I didn't want to hear you
Laughing aloud at me

There's people saying that it's obvious
That I'm wasting my time on you
There's people saying that it's obvious





That I've fallen in love -
It's not true, (it's) not true, (it's) not true...

Overall Meaning

In the Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's song "Then You Turn Away," the singer expresses his reluctance to interact with the person he is singing about when she is at her best. He avoids discussing the mundane subject of the weather because he starts to doubt his ability to pass the "test," which he might have set for himself. Throughout the song, there is an underlying sense of hesitancy and apprehension, as the singer seems to be at the mercy of his insecurities, which drive him away from the reality of the situation. He also acknowledges that he does many things and says many things that give her the wrong impression and, in turn, makes him appear foolish. In this sense, "Then You Turn Away" can be seen as a song about self-doubt and insecurity derailing the hope for a romantic relationship that could have been.


Line by Line Meaning

I didn't want to see you
I didn't feel emotionally capable of seeing you


Not when you're at your best
I didn't want to see you doing well, happy or thriving


Or talk about the weather
I didn't want to make awkward conversation for the sake of it


I couldn't pass the test
I wasn't able to live up to the expectations I thought you had for me


So many things I do
I act in various ways


So many things I say
I communicate in various ways


Give you the wrong idea
I unintentionally mislead you


So many things I do
I act in various ways


So many things I say
I communicate in various ways


Just make a fool of me
I embarrass myself and look foolish


(And) then you turn away
After everything I do/say, you end up ignoring or rejecting me


Then you turn away.
You choose to distance yourself from me, not giving me a chance


I couldn't help but call you
I couldn't resist reaching out to you


I waited almost all the week
I anxiously waited for days to hear from you


I didn't want to hear you
I was afraid of hearing how you really felt about me


Laughing aloud at me
I envisioned you finding my attempts at connection amusing or foolish


There's people saying that it's obvious
Others are judging me and my actions


That I'm wasting my time on you
They believe my feelings for you are not reciprocated


There's people saying that it's obvious
Others are judging me and my actions


That I've fallen in love -
They believe my emotions for you are deep and genuine


It's not true, (it's) not true, (it's) not true...
I deny the truth of what others are saying, or perhaps, I am trying to convince myself




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, LLOYD MASSETT, LLOYD MASSETT 15%, STUART KERSHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@josealbertohernandezperedo5271

I didn't want to see you
Not when you're at your best
Or talk about the weather
I couldn't pass the test

So many things I do
So many things I say
Give you the wrong idea
So many things I do
So many things I say
Just make a fool of me

then you turn away
Then you turn away.
I couldn't help but call you
I waited almost all the week
I didn't want to hear you
Laughing aloud at me

So many things I do
So many things I say
Give you the wrong idea
So many things I do
So many things I say
Just make a fool of me

then you turn away
Then you turn away.
There's people saying that it's obvious
That I'm wasting my time on you
There's people saying that it's obvious
That I've fallen in love -
It's not true, (it's) not true, (it's) not true...



All comments from YouTube:

@thabobopape1487

I love this song. Wouldn’t have known it if it weren’t for my dad. One of his absolute favorites. I can still see him singing and dancing in the living to OMD❤🥺🕊😭
My his soul continue to Rest In Peace

@warrenfuchs2304

Great song keep those memories alive

@ES-aussie68

He sounds fun 🫶

@fatcat702

Such an underrated song. The synthesizer and bass are beautiful. How I love OMD.

@ES-aussie68

Love the 80's/90's I feel I'm the lucky generation that grew up with some pretty amazing music.

@darrenwilson9174

Instant 80s attraction

@GosiaKK86NL

I have the same feeling! Blessed

@ArshadKhan-kj8wg

I too, 80s my biz. And growing up to the greatest 80 songs of our time. Wow, I'm privileged to experience such timeline.

@warrenfuchs2304

I'm sure they made a slightly faster version than this originally

@ES-aussie68

@@warrenfuchs2304 I'd be interested in hearing that version. 😀

3 More Replies...
More Comments

More Versions