Turn It Up
dj.RED Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Taking the bus to work
Same old daily grind
Checking my instagram cos
Who knows what I might find
Now I get to my desk on time
But that phone just keeps on ringing
Why am I even here
Makes me wanna shed a tear
I’m making it up as
I go along
And I’m doing the best that I can
I’m playing along like an unfamiliar song
They’re gonna kick me out of the band
I’m making it up as I go along
And I still can’t really figure out what’s up
I’m waving my hands but I know before long
They’ll find out I’m just making it up
Taking the bus back home
Got through another day
Going out to celebrate
Wouldn’t have it any other way
It’s the human condition I guess
Gotta keep moving on
So is life just like a Broadway play
Or more like one of my songs
Who is the real me?
Is this all just an act?
Where is the line between
Fantasy and fact
Yeah...
Who is the real me?
Is this all just an act?
Where is the line between
Fantasy and fact
Yeah...
I’m making it up as
I go along
And I’m doing the best that I can
I’m playing along like an unfamiliar song
They’re gonna kick me out of the band
I’m making it up as I go along
And I still can’t really figure out what’s up
I’m waving my hands but I know before long
They’ll find out that I’m just making it up
I’m making it up as
I go along
And I’m doing the best that I can
I’m playing along like an unfamiliar song
They’re gonna kick me out of the band
I’m making it up as I go along
And I still can’t really figure out what’s up




I’m waving my hands but I know before long
They’ll find out I’m just making it up

Overall Meaning

In "Turn It Up" by dj.RED, the lyrics describe the daily struggles of a person who is constantly questioning themselves and their abilities. The song begins with the singer taking the bus to work and feeling stuck in the same routine every day. They scroll through Instagram as a way to distract themselves from the monotonous job. Despite getting to work on time, the phone ringing is a constant reminder of their obligations and they begin to doubt their worth, making them want to cry. The lyrics suggest that this person is not satisfied with their current situation and is feeling overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon them.


The chorus of the song highlights the singer's sense of feeling like an imposter, constantly "making it up" as they go along. They feel like they're playing an unfamiliar song and are worried they'll be kicked out of the band. This line could be interpreted as a metaphor for life or work where they feel like they're not quite fitting into the norm, and are worried that others will eventually notice their lack of expertise. The lyrics suggest that they're doing their best, but still can't figure out what they're doing wrong.


The song ends with the singer taking the bus back home after another long day and wondering about the real them. They question if their life is just like a Broadway play, scripted and not their own, or if they have the freedom to write their own path. The lyrics leave the listener with a sense of existential uncertainty and the feeling that the singer is still struggling to find their place in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Taking the bus to work
Starting the monotonous routine of going to work


Same old daily grind
Continuously doing the same thing every day without any change


Checking my instagram cos
Taking a break from the daily routine and searching for something new


Who knows what I might find
Curiosity and expectation of finding something unique


Now I get to my desk on time
Arriving to work on schedule


But that phone just keeps on ringing
Disturbed by the constant phone calls


Why am I even here
Questioning the purpose of being present at work


Makes me wanna shed a tear
Feeling emotional and overwhelmed


I'm making it up as I go along
Figuring things out as they come and improvising


And I'm doing the best that I can
Giving it their all despite feeling uncertain


I'm playing along like an unfamiliar song
Trying to fit in, but feeling out of place


They're gonna kick me out of the band
Fear of losing their job or feeling excluded


Taking the bus back home
Ending the work day and returning home


Got through another day
Successfully completing another work day


Going out to celebrate
Taking a break to enjoy and celebrate accomplishments


Wouldn't have it any other way
Content with their life's routine and accomplishments


It’s the human condition I guess
Accepting that all humans share similar struggles and experiences


Gotta keep moving on
Continuing to progress and move forward in life


So is life just like a Broadway play
Questioning if life is scripted or if they have control


Or more like one of my songs
Wondering if life is more like their own creative expression


Who is the real me?
Questioning their true self and identity


Is this all just an act?
Questioning if their actions and personality are genuine


Where is the line between fantasy and fact
Wondering if their experiences are reality or just imagination


I'm waving my hands but I know before long
Trying to act confidently, but expecting to be exposed


They'll find out that I'm just making it up
Believing that others will eventually realize they don't have it all figured out




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Terry Lim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@fadedidentity

this song brings me back, and it still holds up today! crazy to hear how far the genre has come

@addy8943

I used to listen to this on repeat

@marcelusrangga7423

okeyers

@anhvinguyen9478

@Addy p]]p99ll9l99l9p9⁰]

@astridparungao4971

Part of it is because of its more hip-hop influenced trap sound rather than the big room/electro/progressive house types aka that Spinnin Records sound, which were popular and rampant in the mid 2010s.

So this actually managed to slip through, becoming an underrated hit, and still sounds fresh and not locked in a certain point of time.

@ShawnFX

@Astrid Parungao what genre is this song?

6 More Replies...

@dayzhajade

This song brings me back to summer 2014 when my friends and I had just graduated high school and had this summer job at an amusement park where we’d play yellow claw on the thunderbolt spin ride where you could play music. Ahhh good times 😩💕

@sakurasenpai4465

Bob Marley

@mikkriive2687

@Sakura Senpai Bob Marley

@srushti8176

Can we take a moment to appreciate Yellow Claw for this freaking amazing drop.

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