Turning Tables

Album: 21 (2011)
Charted: 62 63
Play Video
  • 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
    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

    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
    Turning tables, yeah
    Turning oh Writer/s: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Ryan B. Tedder
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganAdele explained the meaning of this song before she sang it at the Royal Albert Hall:

    "I was in London when I wrote the song, but I was thinking of an argument that triggered the downfall of my relationship. And were in New York, and we were in some restaurant, near the Chinese Dim Sum restaurants, and you know when you get those massive round revolving tables that turn around so when your at a big dinner, you can all can a bit of the dish? We're at one of them, you know, and it's turning around and the table flips up and we're with our friends in New York and we're the ones arguing and it's a bit awkward, you know what it's like - when your there and a couple of your friends are arguing - oh my God. So we started arguing and we stormed out and took it out into the street, and this triggered the downfall, like I just said, of the relationship, and we just kept turning on each other and kept turning everything around on each other, and I said something, he's saying, you know, just go off and I'm saying, then he says something...um...so it's not actually as glamorous as the song probably sounds."
  • Gus from AustraliaWow. What a song, what a voice.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.