To Turn You On
Roxy Music Lyrics


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I could show you in a word
If I wanted to
A window on a world
With a lovely view
From close up inside a single room
With an open book aside
Like you read in school
It's so easy, believe me
When you need fun

I do anything to turn you on
Anything to turn you on
Is it raining in New York
On Fifth Avenue

And off Broadway after dark
Love the lights don't you
I could walk you through the park
If you're feeling blue
Or whatever

Spring Summer whenever
Winter through Fall
I'd do anything to turn you on
Anything to turn you on
I could leave you as you were
If I wanted to

Then I wonder is it fair
Now you're on your own
Who cares about you
Except me, God help me
When things go wrong
I do anything to turn you
Must phone me, you know me




When things go wrong
I do anything to turn you on

Overall Meaning

The song "To Turn You On" by Roxy Music is a love song that speaks about the lengths a person would go to please their partner. The first two stanzas of the song describe the singer's desire to show his partner the beauty of the world around them. He wants to share his world with her and make her feel happy. He is willing to do anything that turns her on and makes her feel good. The singer is very romantic and tries to make his partner feel cherished and taken care of.


The middle part of the song describes the singer's ability to lift his partner's mood, regardless of the weather or the season. He can take her out for a walk in the park and show her the beauty of the world. He is her support system and her refuge when things go wrong. He wants her to call him whenever she needs him, and he promises to turn her on and make her feel good.


The song ends with the singer questioning whether it's fair to leave his partner alone. He realizes that he is the only one who cares about her and worries about what will happen to her when he's not around. He promises to do anything to turn her on, and the last line of the song is a plea for her to call him when things go wrong. The song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the lengths a person will go to make their partner happy.


Line by Line Meaning

I could show you in a word
I can express my feelings completely in just one word


If I wanted to
If I choose to do so


A window on a world
A way to look at the world and experience different perspectives


With a lovely view
With beautiful and appealing scenery


From close up inside a single room
By being in one place and exploring the world around it


With an open book aside
With a book open nearby, ready to be read


Like you read in school
Similar to the reading material assigned in educational institutions


It's so easy, believe me
It is simple and straightforward, and you should trust me


When you need fun
When you want to have a good time


I do anything to turn you on
I will do everything in my power to make you happy and interested


Is it raining in New York
A metaphorical way to ask if everything is going well


On Fifth Avenue
A famous street in New York associated with luxury and high-end shopping


And off Broadway after dark
A reference to the area away from the central theater district where smaller productions are held


Love the lights don't you
A rhetorical question that emphasizes how attractive and enjoyable the lights in the city can be


I could walk you through the park
I could take you out and show you around an enjoyable outdoor location


If you're feeling blue
If you are feeling down or not well


Or whatever
Anything that you prefer or comes to your mind


Spring Summer whenever
At any time of the year


Winter through Fall
Throughout the colder months until Fall


I'd do anything to turn you on
I remain committed to doing whatever it takes to make you happy


I could leave you as you were
I could let you be and not intervene


If I wanted to
If it was my intention


Then I wonder is it fair
I question if it is just to let things happen without any action from me


Now you're on your own
Now you are responsible for yourself and your own life decisions


Who cares about you
Who else would look out for you?


Except me, God help me
I am the only one who cares about you, and it puts a burden on me


When things go wrong
When something unexpected or bad happens


I do anything to turn you
I will do whatever it takes to make you happy and help you out of your tough times


Must phone me, you know me
You need to reach out to me because you know that I will help you


When things go wrong
When something unexpected or bad happens


I do anything to turn you on
I am committed to making you happy and keeping you satisfied




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN FERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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