Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.
In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.
Turn Around And Love You
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I ever cried
The way I've cried for you
Because you abuse me
To amuse your friends
And you use me
That's where your story ends
And love you, baby
Never in my wildest dreams
Even when I made believe
I knew I'd never own you
No, I've never really known you
But I turn around
And I love you, baby
And even though I can
Never really know for sure
What's in your heart
I'm gonna hold on
Knowing that you're
The hurting kind
And if the day ever comes
When you say you're
Gonna leave me
I would lose my mind
Every day and every little way
Everything I do or say
I do for you
But you abuse me
To amuse your friends
And you use me
That's where your story ends
And I turn around
And love you, baby
I turn around and love you
Oh, yeah
I'm always thinking of you
Oh, yeah
I turn around and love you
Oh, yeah
I'm always thinking of you
The lyrics to Rita Coolidge’s “Turn Around And Love You” are about the pain and confusion that can come with loving someone who mistreats and uses you. The opening lines express this pain, with the singer stating they have never cried for anyone the way they have for this person. They continue to describe how the person abuses and uses them, even going so far as to do it for the amusement of their friends. Despite this mistreatment, the singer still loves this person and continues to hold on to them.
The second verse begins with the singer admitting that they have never truly owned this person, and that they don’t really know them. They continue to say that even though they can’t be sure of what the person truly feels, they will hold on anyway. The chorus repeats the singer’s commitment to loving this person despite their flaws, with the repetition of “I turn around and love you” serving as a powerful expression of the singer’s determination to hold on.
Overall, "Turn Around And Love You" is a powerful testament to the complicated emotions that can come with loving someone who mistreats you. Despite the pain that comes with this kind of love, the singer holds on because of their deep attachment to this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Never in my life before
I have never felt like this before
Have I ever cried
I have never shed tears like I have for you
The way I've cried for you
You have hurt me so much that I have been driven to tears
Because you abuse me
You mistreat me and take advantage of me
To amuse your friends
You use me to entertain your friends
And you use me
You exploit me for your own benefit
That's where your story ends
Your true character is revealed by the way you treat me
And I turn around
Despite how you treat me, I still choose to
And love you, baby
Love you
Never in my wildest dreams
Even in my deepest thoughts and desires
Even when I made believe
Even when I pretended
I knew I'd never own you
I knew I could never fully possess you or control you
No, I've never really known you
I don't truly understand you or your intentions
And even though I can
Although I don't have certainty
Never really know for sure
I'm not completely aware of how you feel
What's in your heart
What you truly feel inside
I'm gonna hold on
I'll continue to cling to you
Knowing that you're
Understanding that you are
The hurting kind
Someone who is struggling with emotional pain
And if the day ever comes
In the event that you decide
When you say you're
When you tell me that you are
Gonna leave me
Going to depart and abandon me
I would lose my mind
I would be devastated and go insane with grief
Every day and every little way
All the time, in every small manner
Everything I do or say
All of my actions and words
I do for you
Are done for your benefit
I turn around and love you
Despite everything, I continue to love you
Oh, yeah
Expressing strong affirmation
I'm always thinking of you
You are constantly on my mind
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@consumerwarrior1267
If I'm not mistaken, this was the first song that Rita Coolidge ever released. She had a mystical way about her music even back then.
@lynette599
Yes, it was.
@socratesagain7822
KOMA Oklahoma City used to play it back in 1969. Never heard it again during the entire 70's or 80's till Napster and, later on, YouTube. Popular demand has resurrected this undeservedly neglected classic. Sure its about emotional abuse and not PC but still one hell of a song!
Be well.
@catherinetodd
Reading Rita's memoir, which mentions this song as #1 in L.A. Thanks for posting! Coolidge, Rita. Delta Lady (p. 50). Harper. Kindle Edition.
@rosemarymattson1482
That's where I am in the book also so had to hear the song. It's lovely.
@aarongoff1111
Lol same here. Page 50.
@dianetavarez9472
Wow! That is still beautiful.
@susanfracasso6711
Rita I love Turn around and love you. It my favorite song.
@bopava
This is such a beautiful song. Thanks for the post. I think my Fox Terrier ate this 45 many years ago. I haven't heard it since until now.
@James_Bowie
Rita says this was a surprise (to her) hit in LA at the time.