Turning Tables
glee and Gwyneth Paltrow Lyrics


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Close enough to start a war,
All that I have is on the floor,
God only knows what we're fighting for,
All that I say, you always say more,
I can't keep up with your turning tables,
Under your thumb, I can't breathe,

So I won't let you close enough to hurt me,
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me,
I cant give you what you think you gave me,
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables,
To turning tables,

Under haunted skies I see you, ooh,
Where love is lost, your ghost is found,
I braved a hundred storms to leave you,
As hard as you try, no,
I will never be knocked down,
I can't keep up with your turning tables,
Under your thumb, I can't breathe,

So I won't let you close enough to hurt me,

No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me,
I cant give you what you think you gave me,
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables,
Turning tables,

Next time I'll be braver,
I'll be my own savior,
When the thunder calls for me,
Next time I'll be braver,
I'll be my own savior,
Standing on my own two feet,

I won't let you close enough to hurt me,
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me,
I can't give you what you think you gave me,
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables,
To turning tables,




Turning tables, yeah,
Turning, oh.

Overall Meaning

"Turning Tables" by Glee and Gwyneth Paltrow is a poignant song about a relationship that has reached a breaking point. The song begins with the singer admitting that they're "Close enough to start a war," and that all they have is on the floor. The two lovers are fighting for something, but neither of them knows what it is. The singer can't keep up with their partner's emotional demands; they feel like they're constantly under their thumb, suffocating, and can't breathe. They acknowledge that this toxic relationship is hurting them and that they need to get away before it's too late.


In the pre-chorus, the singer tells their partner that they won't let them close enough to hurt them anymore. They won't ask them to stick around if they're just going to leave again. The singer knows they can't give their partner what they think they've given them, which is love and happiness. Thus, it's time to say goodbye to turning tables. Tables symbolize a shift in power, and the singer is tired of being under their partner's thumb.


In the chorus, the singer repeats this sentiment and declares that they refuse to be knocked down by their partner. They will take control of their own life, be their own savior, and stand on their own two feet. They won't be a victim of their partner's whims.


"Turning Tables" is a powerful song about standing up for oneself in a deteriorating relationship. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing when a relationship has become toxic and knowing when to walk away. In the end, one must be their own savior and not let others control or hurt them.


Line by Line Meaning

Close enough to start a war
The relationship is tense and fragile enough to easily erupt in conflict


All that I have is on the floor
The disagreements between the two have left them feeling vulnerable and exposed


God only knows what we're fighting for
Neither of them can identify the root cause of their issues


All that I say, you always say more
Their communication style is toxic and unproductive


I can't keep up with your turning tables
The constant changes in the other's moods and behaviors are causing emotional distress


Under your thumb, I can't breathe
The other's control is suffocating and oppressive


So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
The singer is setting boundaries to protect themselves from further harm


No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
The artist doesn't want to be abandoned but also doesn't want to be hurt anymore


I cant give you what you think you gave me
The other's expectations are unrealistic and the artist can't live up to them


It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
The artist is ready to move on from the constantly shifting dynamic


Under haunted skies I see you, ooh
The singer sees the other person as a constant and haunting presence


Where love is lost, your ghost is found
Even though the love is gone, the memory of the other person still lingers


I braved a hundred storms to leave you
The singer had to endure many hardships to finally end the relationship


As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down
The singer remains strong in their decision to take care of themselves


Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior
In the future, the singer is determined to be more self-reliant and not depend on others for their happiness


When the thunder calls for me
The artist will face challenges head-on in the future


Standing on my own two feet
The artist is ready to be independent and take control of their life


Turning tables, yeah, turning, oh
The phrase 'turning tables' represents the back-and-forth nature of their relationship and the singer is ready to put an end to it




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ADELE LAURIE BLUE ADKINS, RYAN B. TEDDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Алиса Смольникова

Close enough to start a war
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb, I can't breathe

So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables

Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
When the thunder calls for me
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
Standing on my own two feet

I won't let you close enough to hurt me, no
I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Turning tables, yeah
Turning oh



All comments from YouTube:

B MOORE

This is definitely one of the best performances from glee in general. I didn’t know she had this in her.. she sang this to tony as he was dying (avengers fans will get it)

Tara Stipe

B MOORE I ugly cry at avengers end game

Mansoor Aljefri

B MOORE no she didn’t! There wasn’t a song during his death!🤨

Tiny Savage

Mansoor Aljefri I think they were joking

B MOORE

Mansoor Aljefri close enough this is basically what she said

Juana Fernandez

I'm crying because I read it ahahahah

16 More Replies...

Noemi Lopez

"I won't let you close enough to hurt me." Gets me every time

Nu Pe

And "ill be my own savior" hits hard

Bradlleyy

adele writes the best lyrics

Shadow Heart

Man, the glory days of Glee were something special.

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