Turning Tables
Adele Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴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 rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart 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 rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart 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 rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables

Turning tables, yeah
Turn, oh, no, no

Overall Meaning

In Adele's "Turning Tables," the lyrics paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship where one person is dominant and controlling, while the other is submissive and hurt. The first lines of the song, "Close enough to start a war, all that I have is on the floor" portrays the emotions of anger and frustration. Adele is upset with the intensity of the relationship, and it's causing her to feel like she's losing everything. "God only knows what we're fighting for, all that I say, you always say more," highlights the power dynamic in the relationship, where she feels that the other person has control over everything, and she's always left feeling helpless.

The chorus of the song, "I can't keep up with your turning tables, under your thumb, I can't breathe," showcases Adele's vulnerability, powerlessness, and frustration in the relationship. She feels like she's always trying to keep up and follow, and she's being suffocated and oppressed. However, in the second verse, she's resolved to take control of the situation, "Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior." She's acknowledging her strengths and is ready to stand up for herself and walk away from the toxic relationship.

Overall, "Turning Tables" is a powerful and emotional song that delves into the complexities of relationships. It talks about themes of power dynamics, control, and individual strength. The lyrics speak to anyone who has felt lost or suffocated in a relationship, and it's a reminder that sometimes it's essential to walk away and put yourself first.

Line by Line Meaning

Close enough to start a war
Our relationship is so precarious that any small action or conversation can lead to a conflict between us.

All that I have is on the floor
You have caused me so much distress that I am left with nothing but my emotions on the floor.

God only knows what we're fighting for
Our fights seem senseless and unclear, even to a divine power.

All that I say, you always say more
You always have a rebuttal or a criticism, no matter what I say.

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Your ever-changing moods and opinions confuse and exhaust me.

Under your thumb, I can't breathe
Your controlling nature suffocates me and takes away my autonomy.

So, I won't let you close enough to hurt me
I am putting up a protective barrier to prevent you from emotionally harming me again.

No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I refuse to be your savior only to be discarded by you once again.

I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
You do not have the same emotional investment in this relationship as I do, and I cannot reciprocate your feelings.

It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
It's time to move on from this unstable cycle of conflict and repair in our relationship.

Under haunted skies, I see you, ooh
Even in the midst of my negative emotions, I still see you and the impact you have on me.

Where love is lost, your ghost is found
Even though our love is gone, the memory and effects of our relationship linger on.

I braved a hundred storms to leave you
It took an immense amount of effort and courage, but I finally left you and our relationship behind.

As hard as you try, no I will never be knocked down
You may continue to try to emotionally manipulate me, but I won't let you break me down.

Next time I'll be braver
In the future, I will be courageous and assertive in my relationships.

I'll be my own savior
I will take control of my own life and be responsible for my own well-being.

When the thunder calls for me
When life presents unexpected challenges, I will be ready to meet them head-on.

Standing on my own two feet
I will be independent and self-sufficient, able to support myself without relying on anyone else.

Turning tables, yeah
Our relationship has been characterized by constant power shifts and emotional manipulation.

Turn, oh, no, no
I am refusing to participate in this cycle any longer, and I will not let you control my emotions or actions.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Ryan B. Tedder

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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