Turn It Up
Robert Plant Lyrics


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On Charley Patton highway
The mist, the rain, the mud
Somewhere east of Tunica
And I'm close to giving up
My car goes round in circles
The road remains the same
For help and consolation
I'll turn it on again
Turn it up
Turn it up

Alone with disconnection
And not a lonesome word
I reach out to the radio
And the clinically disturbed
"Give it up," the man says
Surrender and be saved
He'll drive away your demons
His help is on the way

Turn it up
Oh turn it up!
Ah, ah, ah, ah

I'm lost inside America
And I'm turning inside out
I'm turning into someone else
I heard so much about
I'm blinded by the neon
The righteous and the might

I'm stuck inside the radio
Turn it on and let me out

A touch of serendipity
A little stroke of luck
The radio inside this car
Brings guidance from above
The smallest contribution
Will keep me in safe hands
I'm calling 1-800
I ain't leaving it to chance

Turn it up
Turn it up
Ah, ah (Turn it up) (Ah)




Turning into someone else
I heard so much about

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robert Plant's song, Turn It Up, tell the story of a person driving through the mist, rain, and mud on Charley Patton highway somewhere east of Tunica. The singer is lost and contemplating giving up, as their car goes round and round in circles, and the road seems like it will never end. However, in their moment of desperation, the radio provides some solace. Despite the disconnection of being alone, they reach out to the radio, and hear a man's voice urging them to surrender and be saved from their inner demons. As the singer is blinded by the neon lights and the righteousness, they are stuck inside the radio, hoping to be let out.


The song's lyrics explore themes of disconnection, desperation, and the search for a higher power. The singer is lost and turning inside out, but the radio offers guidance from above. The lyric "I'm turning into someone else I heard so much about" suggests that the singer is undergoing a transformation, possibly a spiritual one. The repetition of the phrase "turn it up" serves as a mantra, urging the singer to seek guidance and connect with something beyond themselves.


Overall, Turn It Up is a powerful song that blends elements of rock, blues, and spirituality to create a compelling narrative.


Line by Line Meaning

On Charley Patton highway
I'm driving down Charley Patton highway


The mist, the rain, the mud
It's raining and the road is muddy, making it hard to drive


Somewhere east of Tunica
I'm somewhere east of Tunica


And I'm close to giving up
I'm feeling hopeless and could give up at any moment


My car goes round in circles
My car keeps going in circles, unable to find the right direction


The road remains the same
No matter how much I drive, the road looks the same


For help and consolation
I'm in need of help and support


I'll turn it on again
I'll turn on the radio again, hoping for some guidance


Turn it up
Increase the volume


Alone with disconnection
I feel disconnected and alone


And not a lonesome word
There is no one to talk to or keep me company


I reach out to the radio
I turn to the radio for comfort


And the clinically disturbed
The person speaking on the radio sounds like they have mental health issues


"Give it up," the man says
The man on the radio advises to give up and surrender


Surrender and be saved
If I give up and surrender, I will be saved


He'll drive away your demons
The man on the radio promises to help me overcome my problems


His help is on the way
The man on the radio is coming to help me


Oh turn it up!
Increase the volume


I'm lost inside America
I feel lost and uncertain in America


And I'm turning inside out
I'm starting to feel like a different person


I'm turning into someone else
I'm changing into a different person than I used to be


I heard so much about
I've heard about this happening to other people


I'm blinded by the neon
The bright lights of America are overwhelming


The righteous and the might
The powerful people in America


I'm stuck inside the radio
I feel like I'm trapped inside the radio, unable to escape


Turn it on and let me out
Turn on the radio and let me be freed from my troubles


A touch of serendipity
A lucky coincidence


A little stroke of luck
A small amount of good luck


The radio inside this car
The radio in my car


Brings guidance from above
The radio provides spiritual guidance


The smallest contribution
Even a small amount can help


Will keep me in safe hands
My safety is guaranteed


I'm calling 1-800
I'm calling a helpline for assistance


I ain't leaving it to chance
I'm not taking any risks with my safety


Ah, ah (Turn it up) (Ah)
Increase the volume (vocalization)


Turning into someone else
Becoming a different person




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT PLANT, JUSTIN ADAMS, LIAM TYSON, JOHN BAGGOTT, WILLIAM FULLER, DAVID SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Camw1n

This is probably my favorite song of the last ten years. Bless Robert Plant and his lineup, they created a gem.

@bluestate69

He never ceases to amaze or surprise. Saw him at the end of 2019, and this song was a highlight.

@ThePineryGuy

I took my son Kevin to see this tour at Meadow Brooke music theater when it came out , 1st time we seen Plant , EPIC MUSIC and night 😊

@TheThing2011

1:06 when COVID is over and the clubs reopen

@Klaatuporcupine

This song makes me want to go into town, go to the record store, pick up a copy of this album and hold it in my hands, take it home, put it on the record player and ENJOY.

@joolsclarke1864

A Zep can do no wrong😎

@gillisb.1363

WOW!Totally awesome.Fantastic sound all around.Thanks Robert.

@joeysgirl8965

Brilliant from robert plant but there is not getting away from that distinct LZ sound just great love lo c e and not lost that sexyness

@PlanetJ32

"Somewhere east of Tunica" I live 30 miles east of Tunica! lol

@darrenhoeschen8351

Deeply sensual coitus put to music with little Robert Anthony doing what he was conceived for; making the little hairs on our collective bodies stand on end. Don't tell anybody....but I think it moved. Lol. Long Live Percy!

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